Dad, why are you always at home?

1. Explain What Freelancing Is in Simple Terms

To help your child understand, you can explain freelancing in simple words. You could say:

“Some parents go to an office every day from 9 in the morning to 5 in the evening. This is called a 9-5 job. They work for one company, and they have to be in a specific place at certain times. But some parents, like me, are freelancers. This means I work for myself. I can work from home and choose when to work, but I still have a lot of things to do, just like your friend’s parents.”

Freelancing means that you don’t have just one boss, and you may work for many different people or companies. You get to decide your work schedule, but you also need to manage everything on your own.

2. Pros of Being a Freelance Parent

There are many positive sides to being a freelancer, especially when you have kids. Here are some benefits:

• Flexibility: Freelancers can choose when to work. If your child has a school event or needs help with homework, you can arrange your work schedule around it. Research shows that parents with flexible jobs can spend more quality time with their children (Hill, Hawkins, Ferris, & Weitzman, 2001).

• Being at Home: Freelancers work from home, which means they are more available to their kids during the day. You can be there for school pick-ups, meals, and even small moments throughout the day, which helps build a stronger relationship.

• Work-Life Balance: As a freelancer, you can create a balance between your work and your family life. You can take breaks when needed and work during the hours that fit best for you and your family.

3. Cons of Being a Freelance Parent

While freelancing has many advantages, there are also some challenges:

• Unpredictable Schedule: Freelancers sometimes have to work when a new project comes in or when deadlines are tight, even if it’s late at night or on weekends. Your child might notice that, unlike their friends’ parents, you don’t have regular work hours.

• Blurred Boundaries: When you work from home, your child may think you’re always available to play or talk. It can be hard for them to understand that you need quiet time to focus on work, even though you’re at home. Research by Kossek, Lautsch, and Eaton (2006) found that people who work from home often struggle with setting boundaries between work and home life.

• Financial Uncertainty: Unlike 9-5 jobs, freelancing doesn’t always offer a steady paycheck. Some months you may earn more, and other months less. It’s important to teach your child that freelancing can be different in this way.

4. How to Explain the Differences to Your Child

You can explain that every family has a different way of working. Some parents have regular hours, while others, like freelance parents, have a flexible schedule. You could say:

“Your friend’s parents go to work at the same time every day and come back home at the same time. This is called a 9-5 job. But I work as a freelancer, which means I can work when I want, and I don’t have to go to an office. But sometimes, I have to work late or on weekends because my work is not always the same every day.”

You can also point out that because you’re a freelancer, you get to spend more time with them than some other parents do.

5. What to Be Careful About as a Freelance Parent

Here are some things you need to be careful about when you’re a freelancer with kids:

• Clear Boundaries: Make sure your child knows when it’s “work time” and when it’s “family time.” You can create a schedule and explain it to them. This helps avoid confusion and interruptions during important work.

• Explaining Why You’re Working: Sometimes, children may feel upset if you’re working while they want your attention. Explain to them that work is important because it helps take care of the family’s needs, like food, clothes, and fun activities. You can say, “I’m working now so we can do fun things later.”

• Consistent Routines: While your work schedule may change, try to keep some routines for your child. For example, always eat meals together or spend a little time before bed talking or reading with them. Studies show that children feel more secure when there are regular routines in place (Pew Research Center, 2015).

Conclusion

Explaining freelancing to your child can help them understand why you work differently from other parents. Highlight the positives, like flexibility and being around more, but also be honest about the challenges, like unpredictable hours. By keeping open communication and clear boundaries, you can help your child understand and support your work as a freelancer.

References

• Hill, E. J., Hawkins, A. J., Ferris, M., & Weitzman, M. (2001). Finding an extra day a week: The positive influence of perceived job flexibility on work and family life balance. Family Relations, 50(1), 49-58.

• Kossek, E. E., Lautsch, B. A., & Eaton, S. C. (2006). Telecommuting, control, and boundary management: Correlates of policy use and practice, job control, and work-family effectiveness. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 68(2), 347-367.

• Pew Research Center. (2015). Parenting in America: Outlook, worries, aspirations are strongly linked to financial situation. Pew Research Center.