Working at Home with a Toddler
I work at home. Most of the time, I’m working full-time as a teacher, too. But I’ve elected to stay home for a year with my boys and hope and pray the budget can handle it.
Of course all moms work harder than anyone who is NOT a mom can ever realize, but in addition to that mommy work, I’m also working as a freelance writer.
I started writing a while ago to build up the business in anticipation of one day doing exactly what I am doing. I’m working at home with a toddler and an infant. So far, we’re doing okay.
Working at Home with a Toddler
Obviously, working at home with kids is not easy. I’ve learned a lot in my WAHM experience.
My time is no longer my own. Most of my waking hours, and all of my children’s waking hours, are filled with childcare and house care roles, although childcare definitely wins out over house care – just ask my husband or the dishes in the sink. Every moment both boys are sleeping is full of either work or very structured “play.â€
I must schedule my downtime to be sure my clients are getting what they need, my own projects stay updated and Mommy doesn’t go insane. I’ve penciled in the treadmill and What Not to Wear this evening after toddler and infant bedtime. The show is recorded. We’ll see if I have time.
I must sacrifice. Some things just don’t get done when I’d like them to. It took my son and I over an hour to finish making cupcake batter because I had to stop to answer an email and then feed a fussy baby. Fortunately, he’s not old enough to know that the cupcake batter isn’t really supposed to sit and rest on the counter for thirty minutes before pouring it into the baking cups.
Laundry is never folded the same day its washed, and all my shows are recorded and sit for days or weeks until I have time to watch them. Free time is as free as a scheduled event can be.
I must plan ahead. Not only is my online calendar completely full of client work, although never full enough, it is also full of play dates, appointments and trips to see Mimi and Papa. If I don’t plan our days out ahead of time, something slips through the cracks. Most of the time it’s not a big deal, but some things, like client projects or the grocery store just can’t wait.
I must control my sanity. In a perfect world I can sit down, write and be productive when I feel most productive. That version of the perfect world ended with the birth of my older son. My NEW perfect world means that my kids are center stage. If Mommy is scheduled to write, but Jake needs another round of snuggles and Brian needs a bottle, we all know who wins out. Mommy’s work will eventually get done, but sleep and sanity pay the price.
Fortunately, the rewards are definitely worth it. There is absolutely no doubt about it.
