An Island of One.

When I started working from home, my whole life was changing. Not because I'd finally broke free from the 9-5 (and the commute!) but I also had a newborn baby. The job I had left when I started maternity leave was not one that I wanted to return to. The thought of being away from my baby was unsettling enough, and to be missing out on her at a job I hated? That was just not appealing. It wasn't really an option anyway since we couldn't afford childcare.

Luckily, I landed a job with a great company (that I'm still with!) and I've also been able to be home with her as well. It's been a win-win all around and for that, I am so grateful. I am also able to contribute to the bills and we're able to live a life we deserve.

I've always heard how isolating motherhood can be. I've had a few cards stacked against me as I work from home AND I'm a mom. I've joined a few of the local mommy groups and we go to their events here and there but not enough to build any real connections. I'm also on the "invisible" leash with my job which means I have the flexibility to be away from my computer but I also have to be on call if my clients need me.

It's quite a balancing act but I suspect that one day when my daughter goes to school, things will get easier. But once that happens, the mommy groups and social outings will go away and I will really just be all alone. It's an exhilarating thought that I will have the opportunity to truly work from any physical location that I want while she at school. But will I feel even more isolated than I already do?

This is a real topic that I struggle with and I'm sure I'm not the only one out there that feels this way.

I've started TeleAffinity to help others who work remotely in finding true, meaningful connections with others. It's for the work at home moms and dads out there. It's also a tool for companies that are seeking a way to foster a community atmosphere for their remote employees.

If you work from home, I would love to hear what you (or your company) does to build a community with others who work remotely. How do you stay connected?