Work/Life Balance: Can it Be Done?

There is so much discussion over finding balance between your career and your personal life. It can be done, depending on your situation. I haven't had a full-time job since the birth of my children. I worked part-time with my first, and the balance was there. I worked part-time at an elementary school while my husband cared for our son. I quit working there, though, when my husband's schedule changed, because then I would have had to put my son in daycare, and that simply was not an option.

Now, I have two children, and I work from home as a freelance writer. The only way that I can say that I have work/life balance is if I work early in the morning while the children are sleep, or late at night after they are in bed. To do otherwise leads to complete chaos. I have tried to work while they are awake, and I end up wanting to pull my hair out. My toddler frustrates me with trying to reach for the keyboard and erase my work, to trying to turn off the computer. It's a no win situation. Then I have the baby who always cries right when I'm getting into my writing groove. It's hard for me to type quickly with a baby in one arm.

So, I gave up trying to get work done while they are up. And, it led to much more peace of mind for me. The hard part is finding the discipline to wake up early and get the work done. But, when I do, I feel such a great sense of accomplishment. I am able to enjoy my children fully, and give them the undivided attention and time that they need, because I'm not thinking of how to squeeze in time to get work done.