Working from home with kids around isn't for the faint of heart. It's a constant juggling act of snacks, school runs, video calls, and trying to remember when you last drank water. Like many parents, I found myself making do with whatever space was available: the kitchen table, the corner of the sofa, sometimes even the floor.
But as the weeks stretched into months, I realized my back was screaming for help, my focus was slipping, and my so-called workspace was anything but sustainable. One small change, though, made a surprising difference: I switched to a standing desk.
Table of Contents
The Problem with Makeshift Workspaces
When remote work became the norm, many of us cobbled together a workspace with what we had. For parents, that often meant sharing space with toy boxes, baby monitors, and a kitchen doubling as an office. It worked, in a temporary sense. But over time, it started to take a toll.
I was sitting for hours on dining chairs that weren't built for long-term comfort. I was hunched over my laptop, shoulders tense, posture crumbling. My body felt more drained at the end of a workday than it did after a morning in soft play.
That was when I started looking into alternatives that didn't involve a complete home renovation or moving to a co-working space.
Discovering the Standing Desk Option
I'd heard about standing desks before, but they always seemed like something reserved for tech offices or wellness influencers. Still, the more I read, the more I realised how beneficial they could be for people like me: juggling parenting and productivity in the same space.
A standing desk offered the chance to move throughout the day. No more slouching into a chair for six hours straight. I could adjust the height depending on what I was doing — standing for video calls, sitting when reviewing documents, stretching between emails. It gave me options.
Small Shifts, Big Results
I won't pretend it was a miracle fix, but within the first week of using the standing desk, I noticed the change. My back wasn't nearly as tight. I felt more alert in the afternoons. I stopped fidgeting during calls because my body was already engaged.
It wasn't about standing all day. It was about having the flexibility to switch between positions — something that kept me moving and helped break up the sedentary slump that can come with working from home.
Even better, my kids were curious rather than disruptive. They saw me adjusting the desk height, asked questions, and started mimicking my stretches. It became a surprisingly teachable moment about taking care of your body.
Carving Out a Workspace That Works
One of the biggest challenges as a parent working from home is setting boundaries — for your time, your attention, and your physical space. The standing desk became more than just furniture. It signalled to everyone (including me) that this was a zone for focused work.
It helped me mentally shift from home mode to work mode, even if I was just a few feet from the laundry pile. And when I was done for the day, adjusting the desk back down or turning off the power helped me switch back into parent mode. That ritual made all the difference.
A Win for Wellness
Physical health and mental clarity are often the first to go when life gets busy. I've found that integrating movement into my workday has had lasting benefits. Fewer aches, more focus, better energy — all from one piece of well-designed furniture.
I'm not suggesting every parent needs to invest in an elaborate office setup. But I do believe that small changes, like upgrading to a standing desk, can help you show up better for both your work and your family.
Parenting is demanding. So is remote work. A standing desk isn't going to wash the dishes or solve your next childcare dilemma, but it might help you feel just a bit more grounded, balanced, and in control.
Final Thoughts
If you're working from home and finding that your body is paying the price, it might be time to rethink your setup. You don't need to overhaul your home, but investing in a standing desk could be a practical first step.
It's not about standing all day. It's about giving yourself the freedom to move, adjust, and care for your body while still showing up for your job and your family. For me, it was one of the simplest changes with the biggest impact — and I haven't looked back since.
