The transcending effect of technology on the liminal boundaries of our socio-economic system was bound to result in titanic shifts in how we experience life and work.
Many boats have been uplifted by this novel business practice but for parents in particular, the remote work world has restored the financial stability, the sanity, and the quality of life for themselves and their families.
A financial boon for parents
Between the growing loss of time spent with family due to commute times, the expenses of that commute, the high cost of childcare, increased meal costs incurred by eating out at lunch, and dwindling time for self-care, it is no surprise that more and more parents are opting for some form of non-traditional work, either entirely remote or a type of hybrid job.
The money saved by not commuting to a “brick and mortar” office can quickly add up. Costs like automobile gas, repairing wear and tear on the vehicle, purchasing the appropriate office attire, dry-cleaning, the aforementioned childcare expenses, meal costs, and the time lost in driving to and from work make for a big chunk of money being siphoned away from the family budget.
Creating peace at home and in the mind
Perhaps the biggest takeaway from remote jobs is the improvement to the mental health of normally overworked parents.
Working from home inherently has much more flexibility in how a parent utilizes the limited hours of the day. Having more time to be present for the family eases a lot of the stress on parents, often making them much happier with their job and more productive overall.
A well-balanced life
The reason most often given as to why a parent decides on remote work is the greater work-life balance it offers. The rewarding mental benefits of remote work for a parent were discussed above, yet there is other advantageous “quality of life” perks as well.
The more time a parent spends with their children, the stronger and healthier their bond is, with each party coming away knowing they are acknowledged, understood, and appreciated they are. This results in parents and children being better at coping with the stresses of life and work.
The hustling pace of working outside the home often results in unhealthy eating habits and a lack of self-care practices like going to a gym, participating in community sports, or yoga. Eliminating commuting time alone can often create the time it requires to eat better and exercise.
Perks for a business and society
The biggest cost-savings provided by remote workers is the lower overhead expenses incurred by a company operating at traditional staffing schedule times and capacity.
Having happy workers, who feel valued and less stressed, is key to employee retention and, thus, company productivity. The growing number of remote workers has also created a larger talent pool that can be tapped into by businesses looking to expand operations but not throw a lot of money into doing so.
For the greater community and society, the more people that work remotely the more urban congestion is reduced, the more environmental pollution is lowered, the more that local economies are stimulated, and the more that economic equality is increased.
Potential issues
As with anything in life, the pros are always accompanied by the cons. Any parent wishing to enter the world of remote work should carefully consider these issues mentioned below.
The most common “trap” for a parent working remotely is the ever-present distractions stemming from day-to-day life. The feelings of obligation and responsibility parents have regarding their families can easily pull them away from task requirements and completion.
The other, often unconsidered, trap is the drop-off in career advancement opportunities associated with working remotely. While “out of sight” is not necessarily out of the mind of management, the presence of workers at the office makes their work and the effort they put into it more noticeable by the higher ups.
Another trap to keep in mind is the growing dependence on technology by remote workers. No doubt an essential skill, the use of technology by a single remote worker can develop into the perception that individual effort is only way of completing a task.
Careful consideration of the pros and cons of working remotely as a parent can lead not only to a rewarding and healthy career, but an enjoyable and equally healthy quality of life.