101 Tips for Telecommuters—Successfully Manage Your Work, Team, Technology and Family

36. If You Mix Childcare and Work (God Help You!)

One of the great myths of telecommuting is that it eliminates the need for childcare. True, you are likely to share more waking hours with your family if you telecommute. And you may be fortunate enough to have the flexibility (and necessary self-management) to adjust your work hours to participate in more of your children's activities and special events. But it's important to remember (and sometimes remind others) that caring well for children—especially young ones—is a demanding undertaking. Assuming someone is paying you to do a full-time job via telecommuting, it's not likely you'll handle either your job or parenting very well if you try to do both at the same time. Further, it is the clear ...