Setting Up a Home Office

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Parent Q&A

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  • How to have baby at desk height?

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    Oct 6, 2020

    My three-month-old baby loves to sit in her Baby Bjorn bouncer on the floor. But I’m tired of bending all the way down to the ground every time I want to pick her up or put her down. Also, I’d love to be able to have easier eye contact with her, especially while I’m working at my desk eight hours a day. Is there a recommendation for some kind of baby chair or bouncer where she can sit at table height? I’ve seen things like the “Beaba up down bouncer,” but not sure if anyone has any experience with them. Would it be better to use a high chair? I don’t think she’s ready to sit in one unassisted yet.

    Oct 6, 2020

    Another idea- can you find a desk setup with you on the floor? It’s so good for babies to be mobile and on the ground for as many hours as possible, and I don’t know of a good solution that will bring her safely up to your height  

    I have a sore back and tight hamstrings and used this when my son was a baby and always on the floor:

    Giantex Adjustable Mesh Floor Sofa Chair, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07T352QNH/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fab_qBJFFbJG7WM…

    Oct 7, 2020

    My baby lived in his bouncer on the kitchen counter or dining room table!  When he big enough, I moved him to one of those high chair seats that attach to the kitchen counter. (Around 6 months.) 

    Oct 7, 2020

    Hi there. I love the desire to share eye contact with your baby while you are working. It is so important. I'm sure you'll find a good solution for that and I also appreciate that you are considering what is best given that your daughter cannot sit up on her own quite yet. For that reason, I also want to encourage you to feel comfortable with your baby lying on her back on a safe and clean spot on the floor near you. Putting down a blanket or a lambie can make it really cozy. Free movement on her back is how she will develop the muscles to eventually crawl and sit up on her own, something nature has designed her to do if given enough free movement opportunity. Babies also need to work out their primitive reflexes which is best accommodated when able to move freely. The chairs can hamper their ability to move and develop these muscles and this can have impacts later on posture, leg/hip position, core strength, etc. Then when you pick her up (I know you're tired of that ;) and fuel her up with attention when you have a little break. But even on the floor she can also see you looking at her and that is great. Free movement also builds the brain and having you there looking at her on occasion and paying full attention sometimes is just what she needs emotionally :) Good luck!

    Oct 7, 2020

    Is there room on your desk for the baby bjorn bouncer seat? Or can you pull another table nearby to use one? At 3 months old I would feel safe putting one on a table, in terms of her not being able to wiggle or bounce it off the edge, especially if it's a Baby Bjorn one with those nice rubberized feet. Otherwise, you could use a stroller and just roll it over close to you - our UppaBaby was somewhat high - much higher than the floor, at least! And it can recline as needed... I think she'd be too little for a high chair, and those bumbo seats are not good for their hips. 

    Oct 7, 2020

    I solved this problem by wearing my baby in a sling while I worked at a computer.  (This was years ago, but with each of my kids there was a stretch of time that I worked with an infant companion!)  Baby could easily nap, nurse, and play in the sling for most of my workday, and using a cradle carry position allowed me to easily use my keyboard with baby effectively in my lap. As baby got older I switched to back carries, in a meh dai or buckle carrier, and when not napping my baby could see what I was doing over my shoulder. I agree with others who point out that babies need to have "floor time" but if your baby is too young to sit up yet, your baby is still young enough to benefit greatly from being held or worn in a carrier most of the time.  When you need a break or your baby is restless (one of mine had a phase where liked to twist herself around and "helpfully" bang on everything on my desk), then a blanket on the floor, or a pack-n-play next to your desk if the room is not sufficiently baby-safe, is best for independent-movement time. 

    That said, there are high chairs that are basically bucket seats on legs, so you can use them for a younger infant.  If you want to use something of that sort, just be 1000% sure you are ALWAYS within arms' reach and paying attention when your baby is in it, because there is a high risk of falls, especially as your baby gets stronger and moves around more actively.

    Oct 14, 2020

    As others have mentioned, it's really important for babies to spend most of their awake time able to move freely, with limited time in baby-holding equipment, (stroller, car seat, high chair, swing, bouncer, etc.).  But I also understand that you both enjoy being face to face at the same height.  I would say go ahead and combine all the options throughout the day, as you're comfortable - you closer to the floor (you can put your computer on a low table or bed tray), baby on the floor looking up at you (and soon, moving around! - do baby-proof!), and brief episodes in a stroller, bouncer, or similar close to your regular seated height.

    There are, by the way, high chairs that have reclinable inserts, like this one (note that I am NOT recommending this one in particular, just showing an example): https://www.target.com/p/skip-hop-sit-to-step-high-chair/-/A-79695633

    A swing might also be fun, though again, for any of these keep the time short, and mix it up!

    Oct 14, 2020

    This a pack n' play model might be a good solution. Your baby will be able to move a bit and still be closer to desk height. The only drawback: it takes up a good amount of space. https://www.buybuybaby.com/store/product/graco-reg-pack-n-play-reg-on-t…

    Nov 15, 2020

  • Need help creating an office in a small home

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    Jul 25, 2020

    I might be dreaming of a solution that doesn’t exist...

    Since SIP started, I have tried working at the dining table, putting a folding table in the hallway, and backyard. None of it is ideal and being distracted constantly. Spouse is using the plus room as his office. We tried sharing that office but it didn’t work because we are both on conference calls constantly. Both parents in the smallest room in the house means kids also try to cram in there. kids are young enough that they want to “work” where parents are. We have a small basement space but one parent working in the basement is grossly unfair to the other parent on the main floor with kids. But, the mom (me) that works at the dining table ends up being the magnet for kids. I have to keep telling them to go ask dad but that simple interruption is killing me. Also, the dining table is constantly cluttered with kid stuff which makes it hard to concentrate on work.

    Kids have a desk but they want to work with parents...

    I think I need my own workspace — a proper desk, lamp, and a door to shut when needed. 
     

    I have a few ideas but I think I need a bit of professional help to clear junk, organize stuff, and reimagine the existing space and help procure and set up office furniture/equipment. We don’t have a lot of money but I desperately need to find a way to carve out my own space. I am miserable trying to work from the dining table while staring at kid debri. 

    House is small and each bedroom is just big enough for a king size bed and a dresser.  (2+ room, ~1500 sq ft. It has quite of unusable space because the hallway is oddly large. We are not looking to remodel or do construction. 

    If you know an interior designer who also helps with organizing and setting up a home office or a professional organizer who helps with home office set up and has interior design background, please let me know. I hope to achieve all of this within $2000 or less budget which includes a desk and lamp purchase. 

    Jul 25, 2020

    I suggest you swap your king-size bed for a queen and put a small desk in the bedroom. You need to be able to work behind a closed door sometimes.

    Jul 29, 2020

    This may not be ideal, but my mom did her entire master's program working from a little office set up in the small hallway coat closet. And it was so cozy, once she was done after 2 years we all used it. To set up a table, she painted wood square plank thingy and rested it on wood strips nailed in the walls, so the height was perfect for her and the chair. I know it's not the ideal office but she was so tucked away we didn't even notice her when she was in there. This closet was something like 2.5 ft x 2.5 ft. Then later she moved her sewing machine in there and surprisingly that worked too. Not sure if this will work for your situation but just to help look outside of the box.  

    Jul 29, 2020

    I just got out of the dining room. Take it from me - you need to get out of the dining room! 

    It sounds like from your post that you have two workable spaces - the basement and the plus room. Have you considered alternating who gets what room either by day or on a morning / afternoon schedule? That will force the kids to bug the parent in the plus room because the parent in the basement won’t be available. That might even out your “go ask dad” issue.

    Regarding desks, the IKEA sit / stand desk is affordable and ergonomically great. I’m not sure how it will stand the test of time, but it’s high enough quality to make it through a few years. I highly recommend it.

    Jul 29, 2020

    Hi there – don’t know if you found someone but a friend of mine does exactly this and she’s super reasonable. I haven’t used her but I’ve had a few friends and work colleagues where she transform small pet spaces for them and they’ve been really happy. She does organizing and design and is a mom of two. 
     

    She’s in SF but definitely does work in the East Bay. Here’s her contact info

    Emily Timby

    Emilytimby [at] gmail.com

    607-280-3271

    Jul 29, 2020

    I'd like to recommend an interior design website called Modsy.com.  I took a design quiz and answered a few questions, then sent pics of the space. An actual interior designer completes the layout according to your needs.  Great customer service, and they'll create a custom 3D design of the room with furniture that fits your budget.  You can use their site to swap out furniture and change the layout.  It's less than $100 for a design and completely worth it. If you're interested I can send you pics of the designs they made for us, and there's a referral code for 20% off the design fee. 

    Jul 29, 2020

    Sigh. Been there, done that. So how about you and your husband switch off between being “it”?  The parent in the hot seat fields questions and is the one to deal with kids while the parent in the back office gets uninterrupted time. Your husband has to be the one equally committed to being present and available to children to make this work. Yes, there is an inexplicable draw to mama. But it can be fixed so you can get work done. But you can’t have a partner who is taking the path of least resistance by allowing the default to occur- that the needs of the kids to fall to mom all the time. My husband has an invisibility cloak of sorts that had my children seeking me out even when dad was set up in the kitchen and I was on a rickety TV table in a tiny back room trying to do telehealth during shelter in place. It has to be spelled out clearly to all involved and consistently enforced who the parent on duty is and when. But it takes the parents being on the same page and being a united front.

    depending on the employer, one or both  of you can take jntermittent FMLA and have reduced work hours In order to cover educational needs of children. Of course that involves loss of income given that time off is not reimbursed. Otherwise, mom and dad need to come up with an equitable plan regarding use of office space. My husband initially tried to capitalize on my kids’ tendency to come to me for everything -even though he has total flexibility and very little actual work involved in his job- when mine in telehealth is camera facing and literally back to back meetings 8 hours straight with 3 and 8 minute breaks interspersed. I put a stop to that quickly and my husband learned to step up pretty quickly. This is the season of boundaries. If you can’t set and enforce them , you will get eaten alive by your children and put your job in jeopardy.  So three choices: equitable use of space and mutual support for  getting work done and getting kids supervised. Or, get a caregiver solely to supervise and support kids (But still requires major boundary setting to remain unpestered)  or 3, one or both parents switch up work schedules and take unreimbursed FMLA to be able to supervise kids. Only option #1 does not cost money, so I’d start there. Good luck!

    Jul 31, 2020

    Hi, I feel for you- this is so hard. I don’t know how old your kids are but, any chance you could make the basement a kid zone? Set it up with their toys, a craft table, and a radio they could play audio books or kid’s bop or maybe put on a dvd movie or set the station to pbs kids? (I suggest this option of screen time because I think when they have the option of endless shows to stream, it becomes all about sitting and watching shows, but a fixed dvd or pbs kids can be both educational and kind of background noise rather the main event.) 

    good luck! 

    Aug 5, 2020

  • Can I run my business out of my home in Berkeley?

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    Sep 20, 2017

    Hi There,

    I'm moving my office to my home in Berkeley. Currently I share a commercial space in Emeryville. I'm a photographer and have set up my business up as a Sole Proprietor. When I checked in with the City of Berkeley I was told I need to speak with a City Planner to confirm that my business is okay to run out of my home. Is there someone who has gone through this process that can help me navigate it? 

    Is there cause for concern that they will decide I can't be a sole proprietor out of my house?

    Thanks!

    Trying to save on rent in the bay area.

    Sep 20, 2017

    It is completely impossible to predict what they will do (speaking from experience). My advice is to go in very friendly, very polite. The system is nuts, but the folks in the Planning Dept. know how to thread a path through it, and if you behave in such a way that the person you are dealing with is on your side and will be your guide, it can be done! But you have to be ready to kiss some butt if the necessity arises. My magic phrase, uttered as often as necessary: "Hmm, I see. What do you suggest I do next?"

    Sep 27, 2017

    I did this years ago for my consulting business, which is set up as a sole proprietorship. In order to get my business license with Berkeley, I completed paperwork about the type of business, number of employees (if any), expected number of client visits per day, traffic, and parking. The city checked to see my residence was zoned for the type of business and posted one of those yellow poster notices about my plans for a home-based business on the utility poles within a certain distance of my home. They also mailed a notice to my proximate neighbors. Once I had the zoning/planning department's approval in hand, I was able to get my business license from the finance department. The longest part of the process was the period of time allowed for neighbors to object to my plans.

    I don't think you have cause for concern unless you're old school and process film with chemicals. Otherwise, I don't imagine your clients will generate enough traffic to make your neighbors object to your home office.

    The annual renewal process is quite simple, but it does seem to take a couple of months for the city to mail the renewed license and car decal to me after I submit my license fee. Best of luck with your move.

    Sep 27, 2017

    I moved from commercial space to a Berkeley home office several years ago.  The issue is not about being a sole proprietor (as opposed to a LLC or a corp.), but about whether you need to go through zoning to determine whether or not your business will have an impact on your neighbors.  Check out the CoB requirements for a "Low Impact Home Occupation", which last I knew was the easiest path if you qualify.

    Sep 27, 2017

    As far as I know, your best bet is to just get a City of Berkeley business license and pay the required annual fee. I wouldn't open the can of worms of talking to a city planner. It's not like you're opening a bakery with a store front.

    Sep 28, 2017

    I think many people work out of their homes. There may be rules about it, but seems like there is no way to enforce them. Even people who see clients (like music teachers and therapists) get away with it. If nobody is coming to your home and your business has no impact on your neighbors, seems like you can just run your office out of your home without worrying about it. 

    Sep 29, 2017