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.
Maha says
WOW! Congratulations John & Sherry both. I’ve been following you for at least a year, and am so happy for both of you that you are able to do this for your family!
Laurajane says
Congrats on all the big changes you have on the way! I think it’s great you can swing it without an “out of home” gig so a big thumbs up to you both! Can’t wait to see all the things you have in store!
Kathy T says
Well Yipp-eeee!!
I thought I was going to be sad :-( but when I read John would be home to care for you and the baby-I thought that makes such sense. Plus it sounds like the blog will continue to grow. I’m so happy for the four of you -growing in your nest.
Susan says
Yay! Congratulations! I have loved all of your projects, but THIS one is the one I’m most excited about. My own home office/guest room has always been a difficult space to decorate/organize/arrange, so I’m really looking forward to being inspired once again by YHL!
Blair says
Congratulations on all these exciting changes, you two! I knew something was up when Sherry kept saying she didn’t need to worry about no access to a car during the day… You’ve said it over and over – the girl doesn’t drive! In fact, Sherry, do you even have a license?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Blair,
Hehe, you were on to us! I actually do have my driver’s license and drive from time to time (just to keep from getting rusty). But since we just have one car, John is always around when the car is… so he’s the dominant driver around here. And I’m so glad things can stay that way. Haha. 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).
xo,
s
meggan says
You guys are truly amazing! Morgan over at casa cullen and runway daily sent me over here when i was planning my wedding and i have checked daily since then. I’ll be sending pics your way next week of the asymmetrical art wall i did (from your inspiration) when the prints come.
I think a murphy bed and some really stylish and multifunctional storage will work. my brother’s ottoman in their living room doubles as Hunter (their 1 year old)’s toy bin. Desks that have rolling extendable space that can be condensed when not needed would totally give you a desk when needed and then shrink when needed. I can not wait to see what you guys do!
Shannon R. says
Wow! What a major decision! I think that sounds great though :) You’ll have more time taking care of your baby, going forward with your website, renovations etc., and spending time with each other :) I hope it works out great and I know all of us who look forward to your posts will be there to encourage and support you!
Alison says
Congratulations!! I think this is a great decision, and you are being realistic about the crazy amount of time a baby takes. My daughter is 7 months old and I’m still pretty dazed :)
Looking forward to seeing your office/guest room. We are doing one of those as well.
libbie says
Wow! Very exciting stuff! You two (or shall I say three- can’t leave Burger out) are amazing and so very inspiring. Keep up the excellent work!!!!!
Jemison says
I am so glad for you two(three)!!!! I was hoping that it would be John! I think with both of your creative minds working on the blog full time, business will only pick up!! Maybe you could actually start consulting with local customers and physically walking them through renos. Maybe down the road you can hire a construction guy and provide both design and labor! Maybe you can film a show for HGTV called …wait for it…Young House Love! I pray that God will richly bless you family and business and that your latter will be greater than you former!!
Kate says
You guys are awesome! I just found your blog about a month ago and have been inspired by you guys ever since! You guys are super gifted and have amazing personalties to go with it! Excited for all your news and looking forward to following you from here!!!!
Carolyn says
Great news! John, wonderful that you will be around more to see your daughter during the day(and not just in the early morning and evenings).
My husband has recently started working from home every fortnight (he goes into the office every other week). It’s wonderful having him around during his break time, and being able to go to the park as a family when he finishes at 4:30pm. My one suggestion would be that you may want to separate the office from the playroom when she morphs into a toddler! Unless you plan for her not to play in the office when you’re at work? Elizabeth goes crazy climbing all over her father when he’s working at home. Not exactly the best situation when you’re trying to get work done. I usually go out with the little one (for my own sanity!) or we play somewhere else in the house.
I also have a question, a BURNING QUESTION! about baby-proofing. What are your plans regarding this? I’ve noticed you have a lovely, ordered house with lots of ceramic/glass ornaments all around the place. My daughter would love to destroy..err PLAY with them :) I’d love to know what your thoughts/plans are for this, and what other readers think or suggest??? perhaps you could put a post together for this topic?? there’s no doubt a baby changes the flow of life forever, so I’d love to know how people keep their homes lovely, whilst raising their young.
Anyway, apologies for my essay post. All the best with the upcoming delivery from here in Australia :)
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Carolyn,
We definitely plan to just see how things go with Baby P and evolve the house as she grows, which means that we’ll attack baby-proofing once she gets more mobile and learn what works for her (we keep hearing that every baby is different, so we’ll have to see what she’s like). That also will be our approach to the office/playroom since we plan to have her around when she’s super small (that is if she’s not napping) just because we’ll both want to keep an eye on her and be together, but as she grows we might find that the den is a better space for her to play with the parent who’s not working while the other half of YHL is hard at work in the office. We’re definitely taking a wait-and-see-what-works approach, and of course we’ll keep you posted along the way!
xo,
s
Jules says
I have nothing to say design wise (that’s your forte) but I DO want to wish you a well deserved congratulations! That the two of you can work together is wonderful and baby P will be the better baby for it. :)
Rachel says
How exciting!!! I am so happy for you guys.
I will be curious to see how you juggle the guest bedroom/office since this will most likely be our situation as well the next time we move. I’d love to see what sleeper sofa you would choose (if that’s the route you go) since I’m currently shopping for one! I know you guys already have the filing situation pretty much under control around your casa, but I have noticed an abundance of attractive filing cabinets camouflaged as end tables lately. Very smart! Also I think small laptop desk that folds into the wall (definitely a DIY project) could help you accommodate a two person office in a small space.
Emy says
That idea is great HGTV show! I would love to watch Young House Love!!!! Good luck to your family You guys are truly blessed and Your priorities are so greatly set… Baby P is lucky to have both parents around to dedicate time to nurture and see all her milestones You guys are going to be great parents “) You should be really proud! She will be the luckiest little baby to have such thoughtful parents!
Tarryn says
Hey guys, Congrats on the big change, I’m sure it’ll be challenging and fulfilling! I’m also really excited about you tackling the new multi-purpose room. I have a similar sized spare bedroom (one of only 2 bedrooms) that has to become my home office/guest bedroom and I’m looking forward to seeing how you get around it. I was thinking a sofa bed so that it can just be a sofa most of the time, and fold out when needed. But that’s about as far as I’ve got!
susan says
wow! how amazing! and how exciting! two parents at home for baby p… i don’t think i can imagine a more wonderful situation.
one thing – which may have already been mentioned – is to be sure (as much as you do love each other and are certainly already in love with baby p – though you have no idea how far you’ll fall in the near future and as the years go by, I assure you! – and because of those reasons as well) to make some personal time for each of you. being around one another 24/7 is really a wonderful thing, but it can also, strangely, become a weight of sorts. so send sherry out to hang out with her girlfriends or to go and have an afternoon out, and john, you do the same. a little mystery about where somebody else has gone to and what they’ve been up to is healthy and fun. and there is something to be said for realizing that you miss the person/people you are usually able to be around on a regular basis as well.
here’s to wishing you all the very best!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Susan,
Yup, that’s definitely the plan! We’re already talking about side hobbies we both can take on to feel like individuals too (and just get out of each other’s hair from time to time). We’re really looking forward to seeing how this new chapter unfolds!
xo,
s
Cecelia says
Hooray! MORE YOUNG HOUSE LOVE!!
You had me spooked there for a minute!
Keep it coming, and while you’re at it, develop a broader product line. I love your modern fresh young-yet-serene sensibilities and love to incorporate your ideas into my crib.
Suzanne says
When I saw your post on Facebook that a life changing announcement was made on your blog I was scared that you were shutting it down due to the arrival of Baby P – thank goodness that wasn’t the case. I only recently discovered your blog about 3 months ago while awaiting the arrival of my own baby. He’s now 9 weeks old and I completely understand the life changes that happen with the arrival of a little one – best of luck to you both but it sounds like you are both completely prepared. I really enjoy your blog and check it religiously each morning here in Australia. Thanks to your blog and inspiration I am looking forward to spending my maternity leave making my own home beautiful and cosy. Thanks.
Catherine says
Hey wow! This is like my life – I work out of the house 3ish days a week but definitely bring the work home with me the other days. My husband stays home two days with our toddler, and my father-in-law takes over one day a week. But since my husband still consults, and does some teaching at night, we both “work from home” and are hoping to have a guest room/ playroom / double study in our next house. Please say it can be done! And show us how!
Just get ready to re-jigger things a bit when the little one knows you’re home (around 14 or 15 months, you’ve got some time). On the days when I try to work in our bedroom, my toddler wails, rams his little walker into my door repeatedly, etc. We’ve now decided that the public library is a better way to go when I actually have to concentrate. It can be a tricky balance, but once your little one arrives, you’ll fall in love & make it work.
NK says
Best post ever.
Congrats on coming to this decision
Kim Underwood says
What a huge blessing for you guys! and of course your sweet baby, these are days that will not return, so glad you will both be home to enjoy them. Working from home comes with challenges, especially when playing with the baby is funner,but with organization and structure you will find a balance no problem, congrats! As a mom of three I look forward to some of your DIY projects for the kids areas!
Sarah @ Dream in Domestic says
Wow I have to say you are living my dream! I am so happy you both will be stay at home parents but also full time workers from home. I know blogging is a lot of work, but I know it’s something you both love to do and your baby will be the light of your life, so could things really be better? Wow, I’m just stunned that everything has fallen into place like this for you – what an inspiration! I wish you the best of luck! I’ll still be here reading as long as you are blogging!
Katie says
WOW! I’m so glad you’ll be able to keep the blog going! It’s wonderful you’ll be able to spend more time t with the baby.
However, as far as the office goes…. it will be a challenge. I have a VERY hard time working from home in my super small office space (8×10). I have a great tall cabinet-like secretary from ikea. Looks great and takes up little space. But I’m sure whatever you two decide will be great. I LOVE everything you two do! Good luck with everything!
Julie M. says
This is really great! I’m so happy that you two have taken this so far. It is really inspiring to watch two young people turn a vision into a great business. As a wife of a small business owner, I know the hard work that can go into it. I’m so happy and proud for you two for being able to make this into your career. I’m also happy to see that it will stay a decor/design blog. Best of luck!!
tabz says
how awesome that you can do this!!! what a lucky baby she is already :)
i have one question and it may be inappropriate or personal but i so badly would want to do the same when our baby comes that i thought i’d ask. how will you adjust financially once the security of a 9-5 job income is no more? we’re not bloggers but i’m a graphic designer and could work from home but i’m TERRIFIED of losing that security of a consistent paycheck and benefits.
you totally don’t have to give away your secret but if you can just point me to a resource that might help ease my mind or teach me a few things about working at home, i’d appreciate it.
congrats again! :)
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Tabz,
We’re nothing if not extremely financially cautious (sometimes to a fault) so of course we crunched numbers for months and thoroughly thought through any number of situations before making this huge decision. Having a good amount of money saved up as a “backup” was helpful, just so that if things somehow change with the way our blog is growing we still have 12 months of income squirreled away to cushion us. It definitely wasn’t a decision that we made lightly, but it really does feel momentous to be saying it out loud after tons of consideration!
xo,
s
Michelle Z. says
OMG! Are you going to put in a murphy bed?!?!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Michelle,
We definitely gave the murphy bed idea a ton of thought but you’ll have to see where we ended up. Stay tuned…
xo,
s
Rebecca Foxworth says
Oh, you are so silly…we didn’t think Burger would be your other full-time employee. Clearly, he’s already hard at work on his own blog, right?
Miss B says
AMAZING! So inspiring as always! Can’t wait to see the new office digs (or baby P!)
amanda says
wow! i’m really excited to see your guest bedroom transform into a functional office. we’re in the process of closing on our first home (eeeee!!! i know i squeal every time i think about it!) and the third bedroom will be a guest bedroom/office, since i’m a work at home girl. so needless to say, my eyes will be glued to this blog on the lookout for your ideas and suggestions. good luck with everything and perhaps i’ll be sending some before and after shots of our soon to be humble abode transformations!!!
xoxo,
amanda
Colleen C says
Congratulations! Though I know it’s going to be a lot of hard work it’s also going to be a lot of fun. I’m curious if you will stay totally dedicated to DIY/house updates – or will this turn into a mommy/daddy blog at all? (AKA – I’d love to see baby P photos all the time, but also understand the idea of privacy.) Just curious!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Colleen,
While we’re not ruling out a beanette related spin off blogging effort someday, we’re definitely planning to make the big adjustment to full time parenthood and direct all of our extra energy to our first passion: YHL (which we have vowed to keep very home improvement and decor focused). That doesn’t mean there won’t be a beanette pic here or there (Burger works his way into posts all the time, so we assume the same will be true for Baby P) but the focus will stay on tutorials, floor planning, reader redesigns, design dilemmas and all other home-related things. Since that’s been our passion for so long we’d hate to stray too far away from those things!
xo,
s
Kathleen says
That’s awesome that you will be able to stay at home with your new bambino! (bambina for girl?)
You could install an old-school Murphy bed in the office, and use the bottom of the bed/temporary wall to hang a picture/bulletin board on. That would be a huge space saving idea. The open area that would leave could make room for Baby P to have a pack-n-play.
Can’t wait to see what you think of!
Mary S says
You have made the very best decision of your life. My husband and I have a small business that we can conduct from home (a tiny 1950’s ranch style!) which allows us to stay with our new baby. Well…at 20 months now maybe not so new…but she still feels new to us. You are absolutely on the right track..don’t baby proof until you have to and also have one day a week where each can get away from it all. My hubs plays golf at least once per week and I get my toes done or have lunch with the girls. You are going to be so, so happy to have this time with your precious daughter. Heads up Sherry, you know that father/daughter bond? Well, when dad stays home with the bean then that bond is like titanium. So sweet!
Jill says
Congrats you guys! I’m so pleased for you both. I’m sure this will really up the ante on younghouselove :) I’m just glad that I’ll get to keep reading all of your lovely writing! Obviously Baby P is the number 1 priority, but I really would have missed your frequent posting :) Woohoo!
Steph says
It’s just plain old odd how happy this post makes me! While bringing in a new YHL’er would have made things easier for you, I was worried I’d see the flavour of my favourite blog change so much that I didn’t recognise it.
So I’m a very happy, excited munchkin right now.
Thank you!
And congratulations and good luck – with everything!!
Martha says
Congratulations. I am both happy for you and insanely jealous. The husband and I are plotting our baby adventures but our biggest obstacle is balancing domestic responsibilities with the need for income. Good for you both for finding a way to make it work!
Sara says
Congrats Youngsters! My husband was able to work from home AND keep our two middle children until one was 4 and the other 18 months. It was awesome for everyone! He scheduled meetings and more “important work” during naptimes. It can be done and stay at home dads are the coolest.
Jacci says
Hey, guys! I tried to read thru the comments, but there were so many! :) I’m not sure I understood this post rightly. John, are you keeping your same job but just moving to working at home or do you actually mean that the blog is now the sole source of income for you guys? I’m slightly baffled.
At any rate, I’m so happy for you that you all get to spend so much time together :)
XO,
Jacci
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Jacci,
I’m actually bidding a sweet adieu to my job in advertising and jumping into full time bloggerdom and daddydom. We can’t wait to see what this next chapter holds for us!
-John
Jacci says
Holy Smokes. I mean… holy smokes! That is HUGE.
HUGE.
HUGE!!! Wow. I’m gaping at my computer here. Unbelievable! And SO stinkin’ fun! I’ve definitely thought before that the background both of you have in advertising has definitely been helpful in the tremendous success YHL has enjoyed. That savvy bag of ad world tricks, your strong work ethics, wit, sense of fun, and – of course – obvious good eye for design have really all made up for one heck of a blog :) And now – look! Incredible.
I still can’t get over it.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Kristy D says
John, it’s life/work balance! My employer has put a push on “life comes first” so I wanted to let you in on that.
Congratulations on the “new job!”
YoungHouseLove says
That’s actually really smart. We’ll have to adapt that phrasing!
– John
Alison Moreno says
I am so happy for you guys. Every time I read your posts about your sweet new addition that will be arriving soon, I get all excited and jittery for you. Kids are the sweetest thing life can give you. Your heart will melt with the smallest things. A smile, a sound, a look. You guys are incredible to take on so much because its something you enjoy. I love it when you ask us for ideas, I get all my ideas from you geniuses!!! You two are going to be the sweetest parents.
Rutuja says
With anyone else this would be unbelievable…but with you guys anythings possible. Congratulations!!! And we all are here to support you two ..oops I mean three :)
kelly says
Congratulations to you! I have just recently discovered your blog and spent practically a whole weekend reading the archives, I was instantly hooked!
I have an idea for your house, this is something I am wanting to do in my house as well. Have you considered converting your living room or den into your home office? Since you already have a living room, den, and screen porch, this would give you a more spacious home office. Plus you could keep your guest room and have the space to make it a kids room if more kids are in your future!
Whatever you do, I know it will turn out fabulous! Thanks for all of the inspiration.
Kelly
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Kelly,
We definitely considered that option (among others) but in the end we wanted a more private area of the house for our office where we could close the door at the end of the day and “turn off” the work portion of our lives. And we worried that if the den or living room (which essentially connect a ton of other rooms that we use- like the kitchen and sunroom) became our office we would have trouble mentally keeping the work/life balance since we’d always be near our computers and that mental head space of “work.” This way we can physically distance ourselves from that room for meals and at night to focus on family time. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
bink and boo says
I am so excited for the two (soon to be three) of you! Who’da thunk it!? Can’t wait to see what you guys have in store for us readers.
Amber says
Whoa, there are a lot of comments. So I don’t know if anyone has suggested this, but I personally think the best way to do an office/spare bedroom is get a Murphy bed. They are expensive, so it is an investment not everyone is capable of, but it will save so much room when you’re not using it.
A
Beth C says
Congrats, you guys! That’s such great news for your family (and for us readers).
I’m in the middle of an office revamp myself, so I’m excited to see how yours turns out. I work from home full time and share my office with two little dogs and occasionally my husband and our cat. It really helps to have a dedicated workspace that’s separate from the living space.
Best of luck to you both!
erica says
Love this blog! here’s a tip from a mama- my baby became interested in my computer very early, and it became difficult- no-impossible to ever go on the computer when she is awake, she just wanted to get at it… it is so fascinating to babies- doesn’t help that we stare at it so intently too! She is now 1 and a half, and I still have to hide the computer and wait til she is asleep. So you may need a third workstation for your little one with her own laptop!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, that’s so cute! We need to get Baby P a laptop stat!
xo,
s
Patty says
I have never commented before, but been reading your blog for quite awhile and love it. It has really helped inspire me as we prepare to move back into our home after a renovation (a contractor did the work, not us! we are so not qualified).
Let me say two things about your new plan to stay home:
1) my husband worked largely from home part-time while our kids were babies and I worked full-time. It was one of the best decisions we ever made, since it gave our family so much flexibility and helped my husband finish his Ph.D. and still work while being the primary caregiver during the week. Great decision for you guys!!
2) Advice: i used to work from home years ago and I was REALLy strict about keeping office papers and busines out of the other rooms of the house–to keep that separation I just didn’t let papers and other ‘work’ objects pile up or invade my personal space and it helped me a lot! Just a visual and physical separation to help you keep your psyche whole!
You guys rock!
Roeshel says
That is great news! I’m so happy for the two, uh 3, uh soon to be 4 of you! Big exciting change! I wish you continued success! Congratulations!
Mia says
Well thank goodness!!! I thought you were going to tell us that you were walking away from YHL and that’s enough to make a girl shed a few tears!
I’m selfishly very happy that you’ve come to this conclusion for your family (the beanette and YHL fam). Thanks for letting a fellow marketing/advertising peer live vicariously through your blog!