There are definite pros and cons to working at home. While we all know I’m a “believer in balance,” today I’m going to focus only on the cons of working at home. (To be true to my moniker, I’ll write about the pros another day. 
) Today, it’s all about the cons. Well, actually, just one con really . . . work at home moms don’t get sick days! We don’t get paid vacation either, but I said I’d limit the post to one con. I don’t want to be too negative!
When I worked outside the home I got five sick days a year. I miss my sick days. Not because I’m sick a lot. Not because I even used them that much. But because they were always there when I needed them. I could use my sick days not only when I was sick, but when I had doctor and dentist appointments.
Now, as a work at home mom, I’ve had to take my baby with me to the dentist, doctor and to that oh so dreaded appointment with my ob-gyn. When she was an infant, it wasn’t such a big deal. She would usually stay content in her car seat. When she didn’t, I’d give her a bottle. No biggie. What’s the problem then? She outgrew the car seat and started walking. The nerve of her! Her developmental milestones have made going to these appointments quite a bit more challenging!
At my last ob-gyn appointment, my toddler got so fussy I had to hold her on my lap. Yeah? During the appointment. So? While my feet were in the stirrups! Oh. Oh! Now you get the picture. Frankly, if I could’ve grabbed my camera, while balancing my baby on my belly with my legs propped open, I would have! It seriously was a sight to be seen. (From the waist up of course! )
I had to do the same balancing act at the dentist too. While I was pleased to have my pants on this time, it was a challenge to keep my toddler from ripping that machine thingy that hangs over your head out of the ceiling while keeping my mouth open and trying not to wince at the ear-splitting amplified sound of finger nails being dragged down a chalk board that water pick makes.
So do I want to work outside the home to get my sick days back? Not a chance. The pros of working at home so outweigh the cons. However, I will force myself to get up even earlier so I can nab the first appointment of the day. That way my hubby can watch turbo tot before he goes to work while I get that quality time by myself in the stirrups. Lucky me.