I’ve been lucky enough to have a flexible career as a digital director. I’m a contract worker, which has always given me great flexibility, especially while raising my kids.
My career has adapted to my kids’ schedules at each stage of their development. For example, I could only work through pre-K hours, and when my youngest went to kindergarten, I worked all five workdays. I worked that full-time contract role for one year after my youngest started kindergarten.
However, this summer I decided to change my schedule again: I now work only three days a week in the office and spend the other two days at home with my kids (ages 6 and 8) offline.
I simply asked my boss for an accommodating schedule
I have a history of getting stuff done. When I had surgery, traveled, or had to deal with a sick kid, my deadlines were always met. Since I’m a proven contractor, my boss allowed me to reduce my schedule to three days this summer — Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and stay home the other two.
“As long as everything gets done,” my boss said.
We agreed the new schedule would not affect my pay because I’m a contract employee.
After that, I had to inform the rest of the team of my new schedule, which I announced at the next management meeting. I also had to tell my subordinates. I ensured they knew they could reach me via email or text if it’s an emergency. There’s no animosity because I have to pick up weekend slack, and I bear the responsibility they prefer to avoid.
In return, I get to come and go as I please, work from home, and attend all my kids’ events without counting up PTO.
Being home with my kids during the summer is worth it
I get two days home with my kids, plus holidays and weekends.
We usually start our home days — or as they call them, “Mommy days” — by picking up and doing a few chores. I run laundry and do the dishes; they pick up their rooms and do a simple chore like bringing in eggs or taking out the trash.
Next, we decide what kind of day we’re going to have. Maybe they have a friend over, perhaps they want to play in the backyard, or, if it’s an open evening, we’ll do something more fun and take an adventure. We might head to a splash pad, swim, hit up a park out of town, go golfing, or visit out-of-town family members.
We’ve gone on train rides, visited museums, and spent the night at my friends’ houses with similarly aged kids.
As my kids have gotten older, we’ve become more flexible about what we can do and how long we can be away.
It’s a privilege to spend this time with my kids during the summer. While it requires some extra work on my part, it’s all worth it for that extra summer fun with my boys.
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