The Happiness of Saying 'Welcome Home' | The True Value of Working from Home I Realized After 8 Years

'You know, today at school—'
The little stories of my children begin the moment the front door opens.

I hear those voices every day, while holding a kitchen knife or reaching for my PC.
And I smile and reply like this.

'Welcome home. Welcome back!'

For me, these casual exchanges are the most precious moments of all.

How much value does this slice of daily life hold for me?
If I hadn't chosen to work from home eight years ago, I might never have realized it.

But it wasn't like this from the beginning.

I started working from home when my youngest was two and my oldest was five.
At the time, I thought it wasn't realistic to work outside because the children were still so small.
With no daycare spots available and no support from my parents, I found 'working from home' just as I was about to give up, thinking, 'I want to work, but it might be impossible.'

At first, I thought working from home was like a dream.
But the reality wasn't that sweet...

Time management, how to proceed with work—everything was trial and error.
If the children cried, I had to stop; if they had a fever, plans changed.
I would open my laptop during their nap times and reply to emails late into the night...
Thinking back, I was truly desperate at the time.

Just being at home doesn't make children feel secure

But while working from home, I realized something.
The idea that 'they're secure if I'm at home' might be a little off.

Children aren't satisfied just by having you there.
Whether or not you have 'time to properly face them' is what's really important.

That's why, no matter how busy I am, I've tried to protect 'time to eat snacks together' or 'time to read one picture book' since they were small.
Even if it's just 10 or 15 minutes, it becomes time for the children to feel that 'Mom is really looking at me.'
I think that accumulation gradually turns into trust.

The gratitude of being able to say 'Welcome home'

Now, my children are in junior high and elementary school.
My day starts at 5 a.m. making bento boxes, and I work from home during the day.
And in the evening, this daily life where I can say 'Welcome home' to my children when they return.

It's just a single phrase, but I feel like it makes the house feel instantly warmer.

'How was school?'
'Did you have club activities today?'
'You need to hand in that printout, right?' I say, laughing as we trade lighthearted remarks.

I can do that probably because I am at home.

As they enter their teenage years, our conversations are gradually decreasing, but
I feel that by having an environment where I can say 'Welcome home,' we are keeping our emotional distance close.

The strength of being able to choose how you work

Having worked from home for eight years, I have come to a realization.
It is that 'being able to choose how you work is incredibly powerful.'

I started without any special skills or qualifications.
However, as I kept at it steadily, my work gradually increased.
Now, I handle various tasks such as design production, article writing, and online secretarial work while communicating with multiple clients.

It was a series of trial and error until my income stabilized, but looking back, I believe that the experience from those days is what made me who I am today.

And above all, a way of working that allows me to prioritize time with my children
has had a value for me that is irreplaceable.

'Not being able to work outside' is not the end of your career

A wall that women raising children often hit.
I also felt that 'not being able to go out to work meant I was disconnected from society.'

But working from home is different.

You can stay connected to society while being at home and polish your own skills.
You can take on challenges at your own pace.
And above all, you can ensure that your own career does not 'stop.'

Of course, working from home may not suit everyone.
There are pros and cons, and honestly, there are times when I feel lonely.

However, if there is anyone out there right now who is feeling uneasy about their current way of working or wants to cherish their time with their children more,
I would like you to gently keep the option of working from home in the back of your mind.

Summary: The 'small happiness' I gained from working from home supported me

Being able to say 'Welcome home.'
Being able to watch my children grow up close by.
Being able to be myself while working.
Being needed by society and feeling value in myself.

These are all things I would not have obtained if I hadn't started working from home.

Eight years ago, I started this way of working without knowing left from right.
Honestly, there were many difficult times, and there were many days when I wanted to give up.

But I am glad I chose to work from home.
I can say that from the bottom of my heart now.

Moving forward, while continuing to cherish time with my family,
I want to carefully nurture my own life as well.

I have poured those feelings into this article.
I hope it serves as a reference for everyone.

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