Why it's important that I work from home

Working at home is a luxury, a necessity, and sometimes a pain in the really frustrating. You can read all about it here.

This is a little story about necessity.

My son needed to see a specialist yesterday after hurting his knee at hockey a few days ago. Yes, I had to take time out of work, but not as much time as I would have if I left "the office" or never went to "the office" in the first place.

And because I work at home, the work was still there and available to be done later.

I let my son sleep in until 8:45. I had secured an appointment with his pediatrician for 9:30. They referred us to a specialist and asked if we could make an 11:15 appointment. That was pushing it, because I had to go back home -- 15+ minutes in the opposite direction -- to let force the dogs out (it was pouring torrentially). And I needed to pick up the paperwork from my son's urgent care visit during the weekend from his dad's house. But we made it, with several minutes to spare. I was so joyful about that fact that I embarrassed my son with Rihanna lyrics on the way into the office building, "You can stand under my umbrella, ella, ella, eh, eh, eh..."

After that appointment, I took my son to McDonald's on the way to school since he had missed lunch (bonus, I did not have to make lunch today because I just tossed the fully made lunch from yesterday into the fridge and it was ready to put back into his backpack today). Yes, I made him go. He has to take a week-plus off from hockey, but he's perfectly fine to go to school. He hobbled in with his doctor's note, cheerfully because he only had two classes left in the day.

Everything that was going to get done, got done. I only missed one meeting, which was recorded, so theoretically I can attend on demand when the recording is available. Theoretically.

The reason it's important that I work from home is kids. (They're my reason for almost everything, really.) I have debated looking for a job in someone else's office for many reasons (volatility in the company and my questioning whether I am developing enough skills or earning enough) but there is never a compelling enough reason for me to give up the flexibility of being able to be available for my kids when they need me. The end.