I’ll be honest though. I’m still hoping to get a work-from-home job. The last two years of being in quarantine meant that I would have to readjust and reacquaint myself with the office or face-to-face setup.

More than that, working from home does offer a lot of advantages for a dad like me because that meant that I can also take care of my kids. Of course, it also comes with its own set of challenges because two toddlers can be very demanding.

When they see you, they’d call you and command your full attention even if you are rushing something or in the middle of a Zoom meeting. However, at the end of my shift, I can easily bring them out to the yard to play. I don’t have to endure the long commute just to get home after work. Just the same, I also don’t have to wake up early and travel to the office every morning. It saves a lot of time, energy, and money.

On the other hand, I do like the familiarity of the office routine. The flow and the dynamics in the workspace can be comforting because that meant that I wouldn’t have to think about what to do next or exert effort to prove to my superiors that I’m indeed working.

Moreover, I like the assurance of getting a steady monthly paycheck. I don’t have to think about paying tax, SSS, and PAG-Ibig because HR will do that for me. I don’t have to think about my health card/HMO and group insurance because my company will take care of those for me. Also, let’s admit it, but having a full-time office work pays better than part-time jobs at home.

While I’d like to be always present to take care of my kids, such as bringing Miguel to school and helping him do his daily home activities and teaching Rafa some basic lessons, I also have to think about their future financial-wise. It’s expensive to raise children in the Philippines; aside from the rising prices of commodities, school and healthcare are costly.

That’s my current dilemma. In the end though, whatever comes first, I’d accept that and consider it as the best option or what’s meant for me.

Have you been in a similar situation? What did you do about it? Feel free to share them in the comment section below.

For the last three editions of Grateful Dad, you may read the following posts:

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