Looking for a lightweight way to document remote work terms before hybrid creep

I start a new fully remote role soon at a small US-based company with a distributed team. I’ve been burned before by the slow slide from “remote” to “we would love to see you in person sometimes” to “it’s only 2-3 days a week.”

This time I want to set myself up better from day one without sounding combative. I’m not asking for legal advice, just practical tips from people who have actually kept roles remote.

What do you recommend asking for in writing, and what format has actually worked in the real world?

Some things I’m thinking about:

– Offer letter language that explicitly states the role is remote and not tied to a specific office

– A clear note about travel expectations, for example quarterly on-site vs ad hoc requests

– Wording that relocation is not required

– How to handle phrases like “remote for now” or “subject to change” so they don’t come back later

If you have a short, professional email template that helped you get clarity without sounding like you were already preparing to fight HR, I would love to see it.

Context: I’m juggling kids and a tight schedule, so losing remote flexibility would be a big deal. I’m trying to be proactive and realistic, not paranoid. What worked for you? Thanks.