Why working remote is awesome when you have kids

Working remote with kids isn’t for everyone, and it might not be possible for you or your situation, but in our case it changed our lives ( for the better )

I am not the type of digital nomad or remote worker ( however you want to call it ) that spends more time at Starbucks than I do at home, or work from a hammock on a tropical island, but I do work when it suits me and where it suits me, which is the perfect combination with being a mum.

Here is why working remote with kids is great.

1. Setting your own schedule & have more family time

I always dreamed of working for myself and being able to set my own schedule. I had a business before, where I also worked remote, but at the same time I got a great offer of managing a restaurant, which I took on with both hands, which left my business floating around.

This turned out to be the best choice ever, because I met Lion at the restaurant, and years later when I was pregnant with Sem, I started my next business, so a win-win situation.

Now, with being a mum, it is great to set my own schedule. I can go to appointments with Semmie without asking permission to anyone, if my boy is sick ( which he never is, luckily ) I can stay with him, I could go to the Christmas party at his daycare, I could have a coffee during the day with friends who work at night.

But the most rewarding thing for us at this stage in our lives, is that we can live and travel everywhere in the world, as my laptop and phone are my office. 

When Sem was going to daycare only a few days a week or when I home schooled him, I used to work a few hours in the ( early ) morning, work again when he had his afternoon nap ( he dropped this one already when he was only two ) and then again a few hours in the evening.

Working remote when you have kids creates the perfect balance between having a career and being a mum. Currently, Sem is temporarly going to a ‘regular brick’ school while we stay in Melbourne for a little while.

The only commute I have to worry about is the short walk from our caravan park to his school and back to my laptop. 

No Melbourne traffic ( which is crazy ) no 2nd car ( Okay we are lucky his school is so close to our caravan park ) and no rushy mornings, because it doesn’t matter if I am running a little late for work. 

There are days I sit on my desk ( our kitchen table ) and others I am more productive on the couch, bed or outside in the sun. 

And then there are days I have to go out for shoots and other appointments. 

It’s just that general feeling of freedom and the flexibility to be more present and to persue our dreams of travelling and spending time together. 

Wearing the  Waterfall Duster Belted Long Coat from Femme Luxe Finery

2. Travel with your family while working

One thing is for sure, me and my family love travelling. With me being able to work remote everywhere around the world, we can travel, and currently being on a big journey to find the place where we eventually want to settle down, and still being able to earn money while on the road. Working location independence creates memories for all of us. 

When we are staying longer in a place ( like a few months ) Lion is still working other jobs and Sem goes to school, which works also well for all of us.

3. Less Stress

Working for myself causes less stress on myself and my family then when I worked for someone else. I am a work horse and always worked many hours and worked very hard for other people. The last 5 years before starting my own business again, I have worked in several management positions while trying to set up my own business business, which meant working over 50-60 hours a week, in combination with having a great social life and living life to the fullest.

When Sem was born I was still juggling all those things together, which was hard from time to time and very stressful at some times, but after all those years of hard work and saving a lot, we are now able to live a less stressfull and free life with our family away from the typical ‘rat race’ 

Wearing the warm and stylish stone knitted jumper dress from Femme Luxe Finery

4. Appreciation without being discriminated as a mum

A really important thing of working remote for myself in combination of having a child, is that I got really appreciated by what I do by my clients as professional, rather than being discriminated or underestimated because I am a mum.

I had it twice with a job interview in Cairns ( I will write another post about that one day ) but the worst case was when I got discriminated in the restaurant where I worked as a manager when I came back from my maternity leave.

The owner told me she wasn’t opening up the business next season ( seasonal ) and my contract was terminated. She had it all figured out. I found out via one of my regular customers the business was in fact opening up, but the owner just wanted to get rid of me because she assumed I wasn’t available for the amount of hours I was before, or being less flexible then before, without even talking with me about it.

Really disrespectful after all the hard work I put in and cleaning up a lot of mess from people before me.   With working remote I don’t have to deal with disrespectful and rude people like that anymore and work on a level that is suitable for my skills, knowledge and professionalism. 

Wearing the beautiful waterfall coat ( available in many colours ) from Femme Luxe Finery 

5. Working remote in an inspiring place

Working at home in our van, or working on the road with my husband and son playing outside, gives me inspiration. I know where I do it for. I am able to work in a quite and relax setting, and not a busy office in the middle of the rat race in between four grey walls. I can have lunch with my family, work for another few hours and playing with my son in the afternoon or go out and about.

Wearing the super comfy  Grey High Neck Bodycon Jumper Dress from Femme Luxe Finery 

6. Personal growth as a mum

Working remote with your kid(s) being around isn’t always easy. I had to find my way in the beginning to find the perfect balance of working and spending time with my son. Self discipline is also really important. You really have to learn this, as if you work from home and you have your kids around and there is always a million other things to do.

You run your own business and you are a mum, which are two massive responsibilities at the same time. I really learned to find the perfect balance and find that self-discipline.

For example when we are on holidays or on a new adventure I know that I have to work from time to time, while my husband and son are having fun outside and playing together. This takes courage and motivation, but when you really love what you are doing, you will find your way.

Wearing the mustard one shoulder midi dress from Femme Luxe Finery ( make sure you order one or two sizes up as this one I had to squeeze in, even though it was a size 10 ( I am usually size 8/10 depending on the make ) 

7. Inspiring other families to work remote and travel more

One of the main reasons to start our business www.woodyworldpacker.com was to inspire people to travel more ( with kids ) explore with their family, and create a better lifestyle with more freedom and time with their family.

We got asked many times by people how we did it, and how to start, or people who told us that they find us inspiring or that we motivated them to do the same. It is really great to inspire people or teach them how they can create a lifestyle they really love, rather than following the pack of the rat race.