Working from home with a baby can be incredibly challenging. In my seven months as a work-at-home mom (WAHM), I discovered a direct link between the demands of remote work and heightened stress levels.
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I worked from home for seven months while caring for our baby, Roan. It was wonderful spending so much time with him, but the combination of work and parenting brought significant stress.
The first months as a WAHM were manageable. I returned to work when Roan was 12 weeks old. He slept a lot during the day (and night), allowing me to complete my 24-hour workweek, blog, and relax.
By mid-June, when Roan was nearly six months old, his naps shortened. Soon, he dropped from three naps to two, making it impossible to finish work during his sleep. I shifted to evenings, intensifying the stress. It felt like a constant race against time.
It's like a race against time!
The tension built up in my body—I felt perpetually rushed. Roan on the bed, me dashing to the laptop, no time for basics like bathroom breaks or a drink. This urgency became ingrained, even with help from a cleaning lady, my partner (who cooks and shops), and my parents babysitting.
Many stay-at-home parents can relate, whether working remotely or managing household tasks alongside childcare.
We made a bold change: sold our house, quit our jobs, and now travel indefinitely in a caravan with our baby, chasing the sun. My partner, Joost, became the full-time caregiver, giving me focused work time.
Stress flares up occasionally—I'll snap if interrupted during Roan's nap. But it's easing. The Spanish sun, Joost handling most care (especially with Roan's single nap), and campsite outdoor life have been transformative.
Stress from working from home is fading, though not fully gone. This is our story—Nanouk and Joost's path to a calmer life. Follow my blog for more on our nomadic journey.
