Work at Home Mom: Double the Work

Now, some people may get offended by this article. I'm not saying stay-at-home moms don't have their work cut out for them. I'm not saying moms who work aren't busy moms. All moms are busy. All moms work, no matter if they are at home or in an office all day. Right now I'm going to focus on work-at-home moms, because that is what I am, and that is what I relate to.

I haven't been a work at home mom for long. I'm guessing around six months. I've dabbled in a few things here and there. At first, I was a "childcare provider". Yes, that counts as a work at home mom. I'm working, aren't I? Caring for other people's children is harder than caring for your own, because you have someone else to answer to. And when it comes to caring for children, moms can be finicky. Then, I started a work at home position with an actual company. I generally work between 15 and 20 hours a week. That may not be much to the average part timer, but keep in mind that I'm also the sole caregiver for my children as well. Not to mention, I'm responsible for the upkeeping of the house, for planning and cooking meals, and I also cart my children to various activities such as sports, Scouts and church. How does one do it? How does one achieve that balance between working and caring for the children all the same?

I can attest that the nice thing about being a work at home mom is that I can work any time within a 24 hour schedule. I don't have that regular 9-5 timeframe to keep. I do have deadlines and quotas to meet, however. It isn't like I'm watching Oprah, eating bon-bons and playing legos all day. I have to make time to work, and I must say that is that is the most difficult part of my day. I sincerely wish I could play with the kids all day. I feel guilty when they ask me to play with them and I am forced to say, "Not right now honey, I'm busy." But, I have to keep in mind that I'm working to provide for my family, and that even though I can't play with them right now, they will get my attention later.

One secret I have as a work at home mom to occupy the kids while I'm working on assignments is simple: crayons. My five year old loves to color and he can entertain himself for a lengthy period of time with a box of crayons and a pad of paper. He's pretty good at it too, if I can say so myself! Usually I get treated to pictures of me with him, doing different things. Once we were water skiing. These are special treats during my most tedious of hours.

When the weather is nice, I take my laptop outside and let the kids run around in the yard. This is a good time consumer. The kids can't really get into too much, and fresh air is always good for the mind after sitting at a desk for a few hours. I try to take a break and play with them on the swing or kick the ball around with them. I can definitely say that this is one benefit to being a work at home mom. How many moms get to sit in the sunshine and watch the kids frolic while they are meeting a deadline?

As a work at home mom, I can say that keeping a schedule is of the utmost importance. It seems crazy, but it allows me to schedule time in with my kids. I work an hour to an hour and a half then take time off. I get up at the same time every day, shower early in the morning, I always make sure I'm not working around lunch time so I can enjoy lunch with my kids, and I generally work at the same time every day. I also schedule story time at the library for the kids once a week and make sure I get extra work done beforehand so we don't have to rush home. This is especially important during colder months, because if the kids don't get out of the house every now and then, they are pretty much bouncing off the walls! Imagine working then!

Sometimes things don't go as planned, and I have to work at night. That is OK for me, because it is all a part of being a work at home mom. If my children are sick, or we have a doctor's appointment, or they just want to go to the park, I just think to myself, "It's all part of the job." That is why I stay at home instead of work in an office. I may be a work at home mom, but the most important part of that phrase is MOM.