Now that i’m back in the flow of work since having my daughter Alexandra in February, I find myself doing a bit of ‘trial and error’ when it comes to working with the wee ones around.

For example, when I have client calls… is it OK to have 2 little girls in the background, both of whom may cause a ruckus at anytime? A 2 year old fit or a 2 month old crying - take your pick, haha.

I find that most of my regular clients/colleagues are pretty understanding about this… especially those who already have kids.

As a funny aside - I was talking to the owner of a new children’s hair cutting salon that just opened up here in town the other day. While on the phone booking an appointment I could hear her little ones in the background. She said to me “you can always tell those who have kids vs. those who don’t. If someone has kids they will just talk LOUDER when they hear my kids in the background. Those who don’t have kids ask ‘do you need to go?’ and im like why? oh the kids, just talk louder!”

So very true, hehe.

Having worked online for 5+ years now, I find that most people are totally fine with having kids around. Many times the people i’m talking to are in the same boat, and have their little ones around too.

However what about those more ‘professional’ calls. For example, I have a new coaching client that i’m working with… we’ve done a few calls now and during each call i’ve had my little baby right here on my lap. So far she’s been super quiet, and is usually either sleeping or breastfeeding (little does my client know!) so it hasn’t caused any issues. But one of these days I know she just won’t cooperate and it will cause a disruption in our calls. He does know that she’s around btw. And my 2 year old is either sleeping (love those afternoon naps!) or at her friends house.

I can of course ask my mom to come over to babysit for a bit… alas she can’t feed the baby if need be so certain parts of me may be required regardless of her being there.

I’m also working with another client now helping manage some of his client’s projects…. part of which requires the odd phone call here and there. Again, do I tell each of these clients that there are kids around? Doesn’t that come across as unprofessional? Hmmm…

Curious what you other mommy VAs do - do you do client calls with your kids around? And if so, do you always tell people that the kids are around, or just cross your fingers that they’ll behave? Do you tell some but not others?