We’ve been doing a lot of thinking about what our lives will look like in a few weeks, a few months, and even a few years with the impending arrival of the littlest Petersik. And a big part of that process included wondering about how we’d keep up with this blog once there was a tiny (yet huuuuge) responsibility around here to be cared for and coddled. So we put our heads together and concocted a few new strategies for making time for everything: each other, our baby, this blog, and of course our main man Burger.
We’re still as dedicated as ever to keeping this home improvement adventure going since we’ve had the fortune of taking this hobby/passion of ours and turning into a full-time job for Sherry. And at the risk of not saying this before I forget: THANK YOU for encouraging, supporting and humoring us on a daily basis so that could happen (read how Sherry went from hobbyist to full time blogger here).
But with a newborn on the way, we’re not delusional. We know how much time and effort that will take. Caring for Baby P alone could be a full time job for Sherry so we knew that maintaining our two-post-a-day habit and coordinating weekly giveaways, all while taking on consistent DIY projects would be a stretch. So we came to a major decision (not without a ton of careful consideration and number crunching of course). The verdict? We’re charging forward with Young House Love full force- and in order to keep things going we’ll be bringing on a second full-time employee (to help with both baby and blog duties). Any guesses as to who it could be?
I know, some of you are probably crossing your fingers that it’s Burger – he is quite a hard worker…
But it’s actually… me! That’s right, once Baby P comes along I’ll be saying a sad goodbye to my time as an 8-to-6 advertising geek and hello to full time fatherhood & bloggerdom. And for that, I feel incredibly blessed. So again: THANK YOU. It’s not like I don’t already work about 20+ hours a week on top of my full time job when it comes to keeping this blog going, but with all the time that we’ll gain with me being at home during the day we’re certain that we can better juggle the blog, the baby, and the rest of our lives. In fact we have big plans for YHL when I come on full time, so stay tuned for even more action around here in the coming months…
And what does my new role as a full time father/blogger really mean? Of course the obvious: I’ll be around to tag team both the care for our beanette and the blog with Sherry, seven days a week. So we can nurture each of them as one big (hopefully very happy) family. But it also means that we’ve got another major room makeover on our to-do list. That’s right, Casa Petersik is getting a bona fide two-person home office!
For now, all of my night and weekend work on our blog has been done at the dining room table, while Sherry remains parked at her nook in the den. But if I’m going to be around all day, we know we’ll need a more permanent space so we can reclaim the dining table and keep the room-to-room shouting to a minimum. Plus there really is something to be said for a designated work space to help delineate work and play zones, which we know will be very important when it comes to maintaining that fragile and oh-so-important work/life balance.
So if you haven’t already figured it out by process of elimination, the new office will be taking over our current guest bedroom. And with the nursery having given our other guest bedroom the boot already, we have to keep this office 100% guest friendly as well (yup, that means it must sleep at least two people as it always has). But it also has to accommodate two working bloggers, their wee one, and their playful nine pound pooch. Not to mention store all sorts of paperwork without looking too corporate for our guests when they come to stay. Oh yes, we’ll be walking quite a delicate line in there (all while trying to squeeze every last ounce of function out of the tiny 10′ x 10.5′ space).
Oh and did we mention that we’d also like to see it multitask as a playroom of sorts for Baby P since she’ll obviously be hanging out in there as we do our blogging thang? We didn’t? Well add that to the list. So stay tuned for the play by play as we attempt to fully reconfigure this soon-to-be triple duty room into a space for work, play, and overnight guests. It’s sure to be a doozie, but we wouldn’t have it any other way.
And we’d love to hear any tips that you guys have when it comes to designing a home office, working from home without losing your mind, or just generally creating a room that has two or three separate functions. Share and share alike.
julie m says
I can’t wait to see this one as I really need to figure out how to make our two person office work for guests as well.
mary b says
well you guys got me! i was all ready with the tissues for you guys to announce that you were going to end it and then i thought you were going to hire someone ELSE to blog for you (?) but I’m glad to say no tears were shed today. only advise would be to go vertical on the office front. A sleeper sofa would be great as a bed (and you can put the other one away for baby p some day) and get a desk that goes up and around a corner! it can be done! plus when the sofas a sofa there will be plenty of carpet space for the baby girl to move play in. that said i just want to tell you guys how much i adore you! your celebrities in my eyes and good luck!
Linda says
Don’t you dare think of stopping your blog. I look forward to it everday. I know it seems overwhelming but I am an “old lady” with grown childen that is going to sound old. Like walking up hill both ways, we didn’t have all the gadgets you kids have today.It seems so much easier for my kids to raise my grandkids. (Oh for disposible diapers) Buck up….you can handle it.
This was all written in jest. I love you guys and your blog. I know it is a big change but you will love love love it.
kristiina says
This is so exciting! While reading this I was getting jealous of the obviously hired lucky intern who would get to work with you guys until I got to the part about John! hahaha :) Glad you came up with a solution that will work for everyone. Lucky little baby P :) And lucky us! I was worried I’d have to cut back on my obsessive site reloading ;)
Thank you both for your inspiration and hard work! (And for your communication–it’s so, so awesome to see how in touch you stay with the commenters) !
-kristiina
KimB says
Awesome! Dumping the “9 ‘ta 5” as they say… I’m so happy for Baby P to have both parents at home, and of course for the continuation of your blog. It must be a blessing to work on your passion. Work-life balance is so important so I can’t wait to see how the office turn out. BTW, I noticed you guys took that working on the blog picture with your tripod and new Nikon huh? =D I like to see how the dining room table connects to that den with Sherry’s office. Nice angle I never connected about your house layout.
Again, Congratulations!
Jennifer D. says
I am so thrilled for both of you and am very relieved that the blogging will continue. I can’t tell you how helpful and inspirational the advice and how-to’s on your site have been for my husband and I as we work on our decorating our first home. Can I put in a request for more “Look and Learn” posts because those are my favorite and they help bring complex design concepts down to such an easy-to-understand level? Thanks to both of you and warmest wishes!
Mandi says
What a wonderful development, although I am sure your ad job is very sad to see you go. Best wishes as you enter this completely fantastic new phase of your life!
Lee Golden says
Congratulations!!! My husband left his job as an Art Director/Animator 11 years ago to freelance from home. Giving up a well-paying job was a tough adjustment at first, but being able to spend time with our new son made it the clear choice. Gone were the 90+ hour work weeks and missing out on so many “firsts” with our son. Becoming “thrifty” was hard at first, but you guys have that covered. I now consider myself an expert in that department! We now have three kids and things are still going well. Our kids have never known their Dad not to be home when they get to home from school and get to tell him about their day. In the summer, we even sneak off to the beach in the middle of the day. So what I’m trying to say is, your daughter is a very lucky girl!
Randa says
What an exciting transition… I’ll definitely keep you guys in my prayers as you work out the details, and for Baby P’s delivery of course!
MandyP says
CONGRATS!!! Oh how I wish my husband and I could work at home together! I hope the three–*ahem*–four of you are so happy at home together! =)
Sara says
Not going to lie, when I started reading this entry I was freaking out a little bit thinking the blog was going away! …until I got to the end. I felt a little selfish hoping that I wasn’t going to lose my 2-posts-a-day fix (even to such a good excuse as a new baby), but it’s wonderful that the blog can support you both and the little peanut! Can’t wait to see the new room…
Megan says
Congratulations! Does this mean you will be able to take on more mood boards as well? I need your help when my husband and I move into our new house!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Megan,
We’re definitely going to play it by ear, but you can always check the note above the “Buy Now” button which states the next day that we’ll be taking on boards and the number of them that we’ll be taking on. We’re sure in the bleary-eyed early days with a newborn around we certainly won’t be taking on any extra work, but once we get our bearings it might allow us to help more people- so that would be awesome!
xo,
s
Wendy says
I find that as our son gets older (he’s almost 11 months now) he really wants to see/play with the computer when we are on it, therefore playing and computing in the same place has its challenges once they are mobile. Just something to think about in your planning. Happy designing!
kathy from ct says
So happy that we will get our daily fix. Good luck with the “bean” and all the best. If you tackle parenthood with the same energy as your home keeping — it will be a piece of cake!
Julie says
Congratulations on your decision! I think you’re making a very wise choice. This blog is awesome, you have such a large and loyal following, and you’ve found a way to maintain it and make sure that Baby P gets all the love and attention she’ll need.
I’ve worked from home for years – before I had children, and through the first four years of having two little ones. The best advice I can give is to set aside time for work each day. If you try to fit it in when there’s time, you’ll always feel stressed about it. But if you decide that John is going to work from XX-XX time of the day, and Sherry from XX -XX time of the day, I think you’ll find you get a lot more done, with a lot less stress.
Also, I highly recommend having your work time not involve a child. One of you will always be with the baby while the other is doing work, so Baby P will still be getting loves of love, but the person who is working will be so much more efficient without the baby around. Not only because you won’t be distracted when she cries, eats, etc., but because you won’t be sitting there thinking/talking about how cute she is! And the more efficient you are with work, the more time you have to spend with your family!
At least, this is what has worked for me. Good luck!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much for the advice Julie and Kristen. So good to know!
xo,
s
Linda says
What a wonderful change for your family! I just hope that one day we’ll be as lucky to do something like this for our little family! :)
Christy says
Congratulations! You guys are going to have so much fun! When you eventually outgrow your three bedrooms, you could build a garage with a second level. I know someone who added a guest suite on top of their garage, but it could also be an office space. I’m so glad you aren’t going anywhere – love your blog!!
Kristen says
Congrats! What a blessing that is to be able to BOTH be available to your little one!
I have been a stay-at-home/work-at-home mom for about 8 years and my biggest advice is to make sure you schedule time for out of the house, grown-ups only interactions. Since I can’t “go home” from my office (or go to work to get a break from my little one) those outings help me keep my sanity and prevent the burn-out from literally living in my office! It also helps to have a set schedule for work time – though kids tend to tell your schedule to take a hike! But it gives you a framework for your day so the world doesn’t become a perpetual weekend.
So excited for you guys!!
Sara @ It's Good to be Queen says
Well, I was voting for burger, but wow, that sounds like a DREAM!! I’m so happy for you guys. What a gift you are giving your daughter to have both her parents around all of the time. You guys will have a blast. My husband and I talk all the time about how being parents has made us such better people. It’s a fun ride! :) Blessings,
Sara
Denise says
Like many other people I was thinking that perhaps you would cut back on your blog, so HAPPY to hear that both of you will be working on it. I can’t imagine a day without reading your blog, you guys are amazing.
Sunny's Life in Rehab says
I’m really excited that you guys get to do this full time together. And I feel your pain at the guest room transformation. My home office is in our Florida room, which is also our guest room, and it functions as a den as well. I started redoing the space a couple of months ago, and although I have one more major project for it, I love the way it’s working out. I’ll be intently watching to see what you guys do. As always.
Linda says
Oh, and here’s the guest bed we’re getting for our small guest room, so maybe something like this will work for you! http://www.potterybarn.com/products/pb-futon-sofa/?pkey=x|4|1||10|futon||0&cm_src=SCH
I can’t wait to see what you do with the room, though, because we’ll need to do something similar with our guest room once we have kiddos!
ElisaF86 says
I saw a room Nate Berkus designed that was a guest room/double office/lounge area. It had one wall that had two desks against it for the office. There was a giant curtain that went across the room to block off the desks. When guests were staying, all they did was pull the curtain to hide the desk wall! It was amazing.
YoungHouseLove says
Mmm, we do love us some Nate Berkus!
xo,
s
Michelle says
Congrats on the big decision. Way to be an example of making your dreams work!
p.s. I thought it was hilarious that a few weeks ago you had all of the readers concerned about you being at home with the baby without a car. I’m sure you just wanted to say then…. John will be at home with us so stop worrying! hehe.
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Michelle,
Exactly! But John had to be sure that the news was fully out at work (and that his clients were in the know) before we started broadcasting it on the internet!
xo,
s
Jen Z. says
wow what great news for all of you. enjoy it all, all of you. :-D
My advice would be to make sure you get out for lunch if you can. Actually take a lunch hour or two and step out of your home and do something. (if you can of course).
Congrats to all of you! I hope to one day be able to stay at home with my side job.
Heather Jastrzemski says
Congratulations on what is sure to be a great decision! It will be great for baby to have Mommy AND Daddy around!
We have five kids (I’m that Jason’s Deli girl) and we’re in an 1800 ft., 3 bedroom tri-level. Our bedrooms are very similar in size to yours. It takes a lot of creativity, and spaces need to multitask. We are still trying to figure it all out :)
That said, I can’t wait to see what you do with the new office/playroom/guest room!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Heather! That makes us feel great. We’ve said it once but we’ll say it again: you’re our hero!
xo,
s
Wiggs (The Beholder) says
I’m no expert, but as a writer (similar to a blogger) I know about working from home. My biggest advice to you is: keep regular business hours and get dressed every day. Not only will it help you feel good about your new career, but it will increase your productivity. When I stay in my PJ’s or sleep in till 10, my day just doesn’t go as well.
Also, make a decision about a window of time EVERY DAY when you will turn off the computer and ignore work. Since I try to keep normal hours when writing full-time, I turn off the computer (and e-mail with it) at 6pm.
We also have our office in our guest room and (I’m sure this has already been said) our life-saver has been a fold-out couch. In our case it’s a hybrid between a futon and a couch that just lays flat, but if I were to re-do the room I’d get an actual couch that turns into a bed. Costco sometimes has surprisingly good, affordable fold-outs.
Heather Jastrzemski says
PS: Naptime is a GREAT opportunity for work…you will grow to really appreciate those room-darkening window treatments in her room…
Megan V says
You guys are great, and very inspiring! Congrats….As for the office/bedroom, you should do a Murphy bed maybe with shelving on the sides, it would be perfect if you want to use it for a playroom as well, then you could just keep it folded up most of the time and put it down for guests!
laura says
I’m so happy for you both. It’s even better that you guys are making sure things stay balanced and nutured. You’re giving your all to the baby! I’m sorry if it’s too personnal but I’m a little perplexed as to how you can afford to do this (money wise) and take on a baby and a remodel–you don’t have to get specific, but it just amazes me how something can go from blogging about a hobby to both people doing it full time with no other jobs plus a baby and more remodels. I’m so interested in starting my own cooking/nutrition blog, I don’t have any hopes of “making it big” but I am curious. What about health insurance? I know you guys have thought this out thoroughly as you do everything :) so I would just like to know how it’s possible?
Thanks :)
And again, congratulations–not long before baby P is here!! :)
Stephanie says
Congratulations John and Sherry! I have enjoyed your blog for about a year now and I’m so excited for you! I also work from home; as the Administrative Manager for a medical sales company. My boyfriend and I live in a 450 sq. ft. studio apartment (with our dog and cat!) so we have had to be very creative about our space. We are fortunate to have a GIANT walk-in closet that currently doubles as my office. Our building is almost 100 years old and we have a really nifty built-in china cabinet w/pull-out trundle in our main living space. The trundle part slides into the closet where there is a large platform that contains it. My desk (w/computer), chair and two drawer file cabinet all fit comfortably on the platform leaving plenty of space to get to everything else in the room. We even store my boyfriend’s bike in the closet/office! My next project is to make curtains to string across the shelving and hanging bar so I don’t have to look at our clothes while I’m working :) Good luck to you guys, I’ll be excited to see your office renovation!
Allison says
John, if you didn’t know it already…you are the luckiest Dad in the world! That is amazing! My husband will be SOOO jealous! Congrats on finding a new career at home!
Shaina says
First off congrats!
Second, Sherry, does this mean we’ll never see you behind the wheel? I kept wondering if the bean will force you to get the old driver’s license or not.
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Shaina,
I actually have my driver’s license and do drive from time to time (just to keep from getting rusty) but since we’re a one car household, John is always around when the car is so he’s the dominant driver around here. I blame nearly a decade of Manhattan living for my lack of interest in driving (it was so nice to just hop on the subway and let it take me where I needed to go). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Ashley says
Wow! This is a huge exciting change for your family! It’s so great you actually have this as an option! My only concern would be the need for some outside contact. While your relationship may be great, it’s always good to have other things to bring into the relationship and losing the outside contact of the working world might make that a little hard. As other posters have said, leaving for lunch, finding other hobbies, joining groups (mom and baby or daddy daughter groups!), doing some freelance work on the side all could be great ways to keep the relationship strong but not getting on one another’s nerves or feeling trapped in the house.
Either way, this is a big step and I can’t wait to see the changes to your blog, I absolutely love to read!
YoungHouseLove says
That’s definitely the plan Ashley! We love the idea of having separate hobbies and interests and getting some individual time in there as well. It’ll definitely keep us from being too on top of each other.
xo,
s
Linda says
Out of curiousity (if you don’t mind sharing) I just lost my benefits at work for our family and I was wondering how you are going to handle the health/dental insurance situation?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Linda,
We’ve already signed up for freelancer’s insurance (a small family plan for J, me and the bean) that will kick in after her birth (we’re covered by John’s office until then). I’ve actually had it before (back when I was a freelance copywriter and John and I weren’t yet married so I couldn’t be covered by his company) and of course it’s an expense every month, but it’s also usually a monthly expense in the corporate world, it just comes out of your paycheck before you get it. We’ve definitely had to get used to a lot of we’re-a-small-business changes over the course of evolving this blog (like hiring an accountant, filing quarterly taxes, and even paying a pretty penny to host our site to keep it from crashing every day) so we’re thinking that we’re pretty well versed at taking on extra responsibilities to keep this whole thing going. It’s so worth it to us in the end!
xo,
s
Jessica says
What fantastic news for everyone! (Especially Sherry, Burger and Baby P!)
Good luck and many blessing to you guys!
Berry says
Floor Space. There is a fine line to tread between a comfortable bed for guests, and a comfortable room for you every day. With 2 adults, tiny dog, and a growing baby, you need floor space to be comfortable. You’ll want enough room for a floor quilt, or a baby corral, a few baby toys, not to mention little essentials like two desks and office supplies.
Obviously, the bed in its current incarnation has to go. To replace it, you could
-snag one of your daybeds, add a trundle that springs up to the same height to store underneath and buy a king size topper cushion
-buy a futon
-create a murphy bed setup similar to the lovely “built in” closets you created in your bedroom along one wall, which would also give you storage space for your office supplies
For making your office more home and less cubicle, I really love Martha Stewart’s home office dining room solutions, especially the window seat filing system.
YoungHouseLove says
So true about the floor space! In fact that’s one of our main objectives to keep the room feeling open and to allow ample room for us to move around (while Baby P and Burger have some room to play on the rug). Stay tuned…
xo,
s
tamstyles says
a photo of my families feet…sound crazy but i would love a painting of our feet all together in art.
Kana says
I am so excited for your new transition in life and also for the new room you’ll be working on! That has been on my to do list for a while now. I am a grad student and my husband a full-time tech consultant (a consultant that doesn’t travel). He actually has his office which I like to call “man room” so that I don’t have a whole load of manliness in the rest of the house. (I ask him to keep his dartboard and Radiohead posters in his “man room”.) So, I’v been wanting my own place to call an office or “study” if you will. The only place that we can do this is the guestroom. I’m so excited to see what you have planned!
Tovah says
Wow, I’m definitely envious that you’ll both get to stay home with each other. I sure miss my husband every day when he goes off to work. I’m also super happy for you both and am glad that the blog will stay the same (or get better!:) Congrats!
Jenny says
Awe, congratulations on your decision ~ that is such an amazing blessing for your family! I’m a little teeny-weeny bit jealous as my hubby just recieved his orders to Afghanistan this summer and will be leaving us for a year :( But I’m so excited that YHL is moving forward full force and I’ll have new posts to look forward to every day (gotta stay positive!) and of course I’ll need lots-o budget-friendly decorating advice in our new rental home that my son & I are going to be in (we’re moving home during this deployment, being stationed in HI is just too far from family & friends.) Thank you for being such good examples of putting family first! :)
heather s. says
When Jacki (on page 6 of comments) asked about how you covered your sunroom windows I think she meant the basement windows with window frosting kits. The link is here, Jacki: https://www.younghouselove.com/2009/12/tackling-the-basement-chapter-nine/
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Heather! You’re totally right!
xo,
s
Katie says
We had a similar dilemma. We took an old entertainment cabinet and turned it into a working office- the top opens to reveal the laptop, a desk lamp, printer, and photo boxes used to organize simple things like tape, markers, etc. We also have a cork board as a backsplash to keep up with important notes, pictures, and the like (and cover the whole where a tv once was). The bottom contains a two drawer file cabinet and baskets to hold different types of paper and materials necessary to pay bills, etc. Everything disappears when you close the cabinet doors! It has been a great thing for us, and a great way to stay organized- we’re forced to with such a tight space!! Best wishes
Vonda says
I got a little nervous reading your post today, but breathed a sigh of relief and excitement to know there will be more in store for us YHLers. Congrats on making the leap!
I anxiously await this next project. My hubbie currently works from home in our guest bedroom and it feels cluttered so I hope to be able to take some of your ideas and incorporate into our guest room slash office!!
Mary Catherine Sears says
Congratulations! I know it will be wonderful for you to be able to spend quality time as a family. I am looking forward to seeing how you use the new space b/c I need to do something similar to our extra bedroom!
Kate says
Just a quick thought..could you not use you basement as an office? Obviously I can’t tell size very well by the photos, but by having it in a separate area of the house, with its own entry it makes it a lot easier to separate work from family life. Plus if you need time out from either of the 2 (busy family or busy business) you can achieve it easily. It also means that when you are spending some quality family time together you wont be tempted to ‘just go and…’ do something related to the blog. Just an idea.
A difficult but great decision that you have made from your readers’ point of view…we get to see you together as a family unit and we still get our blogs everyday that we are all soooo addicted to!
Best wishes and congratulations (all the way from Spain!)
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Kate,
Alas, our basement isn’t heated or cooled, and since it’s a separate entry space (we need to walk outside and down some stairs to get to it) so it’s not the most convenient thing in the world- especially if we have a sleeping baby that we need to check on. Plus the concrete floors aren’t exactly Baby P friendly, but we’re so glad we have that space for added storage (especially since babies = tons of stuff!).
xo,
s
Sugar says
Just wanted to say congrats to both of you- what an exciting adventure!!
Nicole says
Congrats. This will be such a great opportunity for you both! And I’m so glad you’re not giving up the blog – selfish, I know! ;)
Connie says
Oh thank goodness you guys are going to keep it coming! I commend you guys for your commitment to the blog. I wish you all the success with your blog and baby. I’m sure with the quadruple teaming (baby, burger, bloggin (S & J) )you guys are going to bring some suprises our way. Don’t forget to take time to smell the roses and vacation. Home based businesses can be demanding.
Lauryn says
Fourth comment in one day…what can I say Im addicted to YHL! Sherry, I wanted to tell you that I love your long hair, it looks beautiful!