A Day in the Life of a Work at Home Mom

Running behind a two year old to change her diaper, preparing lunch, cleaning crayon marks off the walls, and talking on the phone to a potential investor...sound impossible? Not to a work at home mom. Work at home moms do these and more in one day...maybe evening the matter of a few hours. Life for a work at home mom is challenging, to say the least. Work at home moms must be able to find a balance between two responsibilities-work and raising their children.

As a work at home mom, I know first hand that days can be long and hectic. On the other hand, some days can go really smooth and be a lot of fun. People often ask, "What do you do at home all day?" While no day is exactly the same, I try to have a basic routine to keep me organized and on track. I think that is one of the keys to being a successful work at home mom. Each day has it's own challenges, especially since I have a daughter who is 11 months old and requires a lot of attention.

Are you considering being a work at home mom and wondering what it will be like? Well, here is what a typical day for me is like...not counting all of the diaper changes and other surprises.

8:30 a.m.-I usually wake up around this time and play with my daughter while lying in bed for a while. This is one of my favorite times of the day because she is usually happy and being very goofy. Her smiles help me to start my day on the right foot.

8:45 a.m.-I put my daughter in her highchair to eat cheerios. While she's eating I shower, get dressed, eat dressed, and watch Joyce Meyer. How do I all of that while she's eating? Two words-move fast!

9:30 a.m.-My daughter and I play games in the living room. I try to keep a piece of paper or a notebook on the floor with me to jot down ideas. I use this time to write down my list of goals for the day too.

10:30 a.m.-I nurse my daughter and give her a snack. I also do some light housework or article brainstorming.

11:15 a.m.-This is the time my daughter usually goes to sleep. After I put her down for a nap, I fix a quick lunch, and begin working. I try to make sure that I am actually writing during the time that she is asleep since it is easier to focus and get things done without her in the room. I sometimes have to use the Internet for research during this time too. I don't let myself watch TV while I'm working, so I listen to music because I can't stand the silence.

2:00 p.m.-My daughter usually wakes up around this time. After she wakes up she likes to snuggle. We sit on the couch and snuggle while I watch a little TV.

2:15 p.m.-Snack time. I put my daughter in her highchair and fix us a snack

2:45 p.m.-I let my daughter play with toys while I try to finish up some more writing. I write articles that don't require as much research during this time so that I can still keep an eye on her.

3:30 p.m.-Around this time I begin cleaning up living room, putting away toys and vacuuming. I also unload and reload the dishwasher, clean the counters and table, sweep the kitchen, mop if needed.

4:00 p.m.-I give my daughter a snack while I start cooking dinner. I like to clean up the kitchen as I go so I don't have to it after dinner.

4:30 p.m.-I play with my daughter. I keep a notebook on the floor with us and think of ideas for articles too. Sometimes I can get her to play on her own and get some more writing done.

6:00 p.m.-Dinner Time. My husband comes home and we all eat together.

6:30 p.m.-I play with my daughter. Put her in her pajamas and get her ready for bed.

7:30 p.m.-My daughter usually goes to sleep and I get to start working again. I either write or look up more work opportunities. I use this time to research for articles that I plan on writing the next day. I also participate in surveys on GPT sites to earn a little extra money.

9:00 p.m.-I stop everything that I am doing to spend some time with my husband. We usually talk, watch a movie, or play scrabble.

10:00 p.m.-I'm usually wiped out by this time of night and I need my energy to wake up tomorrow and do it all over again. One thing I've learned as a work at home mom is to listen to what my body is trying to tell me and go to bed.