Additional Coverage:
- I turned my screened-in porch into a home office this summer, so my daughter and I could work our remote jobs side by side (businessinsider.com)
This summer, my screened-in porch has transformed into a two-person office, complete with laptops, mugs of tea, and a very determined cat. My 21-year-old daughter is working her first corporate internship remotely, while I, a college writing professor, teach my summer courses online. It’s an unexpected but welcome arrangement, a modern, extended version of “Take Your Daughter to Work Day.”
My kids grew up observing my online teaching life from this very porch, learning the unspoken rules of quiet and laptop avoidance during my work hours. They’ve always seen me as a professional, but now, my daughter sits beside me, not as an observer, but as a fellow worker.
My husband and son even spruced up the porch, replacing the screens to make our shared workspace more comfortable. Now, it truly feels like an office.
We sip our tea in companionable silence, synchronize our lunch breaks, and debrief after meetings. The gentle hum of the fan, the cooing of doves, and the buzz of dragonflies provide the soundtrack to our workday.
Interruptions are rare, but valued – a quick question about a tricky email, a shared news tidbit, or a laugh about office life.
This experience has become more than just coexisting; it’s a partnership. We respect each other’s work and boundaries, learning how to navigate adulthood as peers.
I’m witnessing her growth as she learns to balance work with self-care, decipher vague instructions, and understand the nuances of professional communication. I’m learning, too – mostly, to offer advice only when asked.
This shared workspace has accelerated the development of essential skills: sharing space, setting boundaries, respecting different work styles, and managing time and energy.
Watching my daughter work gives me a privileged glimpse into the capable and focused young professional she is becoming. It’s a subtle but profound shift in our relationship, one we both feel. When summer ends and she returns to college for her senior year, I’ll miss the quiet rhythm of her keyboard, the quick glances of connection, and the comforting sense that we’ve found a new rhythm, not just for work, but for our evolving relationship.
Amidst the everyday sounds of deliveries and email notifications, something deeper is happening on our porch. It’s more than just two people working; it’s a gateway to the next stage of our lives, both as parent and child, and as adults. And that’s an experience I wouldn’t trade for any corner office.