I struggled to be present for my daughter when I worked in an office. Working from home saved our relationship.
As a single mom working a demanding office job, I struggled to be present for my daughter.
When I started working from home, I was in a better mood, allowing me to be a better mom.
My work-from-home lifestyle has benefited my relationship with my daughter.
My identity completely changed when I went through a divorce. I was suddenly a single working mom who had to figure out how to live on my own and raise my daughter.
The main issue was I had a demanding job in Silicon Valley. Luckily, this wasn't just any job; it was my dream role. I was finally leading a team, developing a flagship innovation project, and climbing the Silicon Valley ladder — building products at platforms like PayPal that millions of people used.
But this also meant long hours at the office, intense deadlines, and very little vacation or personal time. The modern office leaves little room for family needs while expecting moms to match colleagues without childcare responsibilities.
I struggled to juggle my job at the office with parenting at home. Luckily, that changed when I started working from home.
Balancing my in-office job and motherhood was nearly impossible
I wanted to be present for my daughter, especially during those important early years, but it was very difficult.
Everything was harder without a partner. Even school pick-ups and drop-offs became challenging because school ended at 2:45 p.m., while my workday ended at 7 p.m.
I needed childcare when my daughter had a holiday, and I didn't. I also needed to find someone to take her to extracurricular activities when I had a work meeting.
The work didn't stop when I got home, either. I was solely responsible for household tasks, so I often found myself cleaning at 10 p.m.
I felt constantly pressured, trying to balance a household and my child's schedule, always rushing, and never fully present for her.
I became a better mom when I started working from home
Something interesting happened: Companies in Silicon Valley began experimenting with a new concept called hybrid work (even before the pandemic), which meant more flexible schedules. I started working from home more regularly, especially on Fridays.
Without a commute, I had a lot more time in the morning. This meant there was less yelling and rushing around, and I could drop off my little one at school. I saved time not having to get ready and got two hours back each day without the commute.
During lunchtime, I could grab a quick bite and clean the kitchen or meal prep for my daughter right before getting back to work. I was also able to find half an hour during the day for a quick run or meditation.
Having more time at home also helped improve my mood immensely, and I was a much nicer, more present mom. I was the most productive I had ever been at work, and my quality of life improved. I felt more in control of my schedule and my family.
My relationship with my daughter improved as I got my time back with her. I could help her with homework and attend her after-school events.
The pandemic accelerated the adoption of remote work, enabling mothers everywhere to embrace this freedom in the workplace.
Thanks to remote work, I am a better mother.
I hope I never have to return to the office
My daughter is now off to college, but I'm happy that I was able to spend more time with her during those critical years, and we have a stronger relationship because of it.
I feel focused, calm, and motivated at work because my home and personal life are more under control.
I hope that the new return-to-office mandates are only a temporary setback and that companies soon recognize they are taking away one of the most powerful new weapons of the modern workplace — one that has the capacity to change the lives of working moms everywhere, just like it did for me.
Priya Rajendran is the vice president of product design and development at a Fortune 500 company. She's also the co-founder and CEO of It's A Family Thing.
Read the original article on Business Insider
