Our modern working world has changed. Terms like remote work and hybrid working models are on everyone's lips. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us that the workplace is not limited to the office. We can just as easily work from our home office, in our favorite café, or even on the beach in a different time zone. The possibilities are diverse, and this opens up new horizons, not least for people like me: a mom of two daughters who is back in working life after a longer parental leave.

Mothers often find themselves in a dilemma after returning to work: On the one hand, they want to happily and fulfilledly enjoy their role as a parent and do proper care work. On the other hand, their career also holds high emotional significance. The balancing act between "managing family life" and "reaching new professional horizons" is not something that happens easily. And this applies not only to mothers, but also to fathers. Here, only one perspective is highlighted as an example, one of so many more. However, those who work "on remote" can adapt their workplace and schedule to individual needs or life circumstances. I support the thesis that remote work makes a significant contribution to the compatibility of family and career.

Almost a year back in the working world, I can personally list the following advantages:

• I can structure my daily routine so that I meet both professional obligations and family responsibilities.
• I can seamlessly integrate breaks for childcare, participation in school activities, or doctor's appointments into my daily work routine.
• My individually adjusted working hours promote our work-life balance and keep my stress level low.
• Flexible working in the environment I am familiar with promotes my concentration and productivity. Strong self-discipline and avoiding distractions are the be-all and end-all here.

Am I grateful that I can master the balancing act between my role as a mother and self-fulfillment this way? Yes. Does every one of these days go off without a hitch? No. For a simple reason: children are individual personalities with their own rhythms, wishes, and moments of tummy ache. In my case, they sometimes sit with me at the desk and like to wave at the camera during team meetings. You yourself don't function the same way every day either. Successful remote work requires a well-coordinated mix of self-motivation and planning. Work that gets left behind has to be done eventually. And it does get done. Perhaps not within a "nine-to-five" routine, but for example in the evening when the children are asleep. Flexible time allocation is of inestimable value.

Equally valuable is the trust of my team. We listen to each other, are there for one another, and step in when the day has its own plans. Here, the motto “Teamwork makes the dream work” applies.

Working “remote” has the potential to significantly improve the compatibility of family and career. Clear working hours, flexible time management, and mutual trust within the team are key components for successful implementation. Companies should become braver and take a big step in this direction. They would contribute to protecting the core unit of our society, the family – in its many different forms. This is a societal interest and requires more attention – also across the various professional sectors.