Today I pose a question:
What is your best piece of advice for managing life as a WAHM?
There are some days when I have it under control: articles are being finished, dishes get done, I manage to shower & my kid is happy. Other days my mind is a blur, my eyes are barely open, Gretchen has breakfast on her forehead at bedtime & it's 3am before I make my way to sleepytown.
Do you have a schedule, or are you days less structured? Do you have help, or are you solo during the day? Do you measure your coffee intake in cups or buckets?
Tell me, dear friends, what works for you?
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Note: As I write this post, my left eye is twitching. Is that a sign?
10 comments:
i can't wait to see what people say. i work from home as well..
stressful, but so worth it!
What do you work at? {besides being a mom of course ;)}
I am interested in doing some freelance writing and wondering how to get into it...also getting ready for the Farmers' Market!
As hard as I try, I can't seem to structure our days, but I am reminded of the quote:
"...in nature nothing rushes yet everything is done..."
Look forward to seeing what everyone says.
Oh, I suppose not everyone knows that! Thanks for reminding me -- I do freelance writing for a few sites, and I'm the "social media guru" for another (at least this is the title I've made up for myself, haha)
I'm also training to become a doula, but this is an 'in the future' sort of thing!
Oooh! Good question! I'm dying to read the responses as I just started my blog and have been trying to figure out how to work from home having never done it before...
There is no magic answer, I'm afraid when you have little ones. I have a 2 YO and I work when I can. My days are usually pretty crazy and unorganized. I have started using a task manager that at least keeps track of what NEEDS to be done and what days I'd like them to be completed. (http://rememberthemilk.com)
As my daughter has grown I've had to remain flexible and readjust my schedule accordingly. I used to work while she was napping, but soon she outgrew her naps. So I started working in mornings before she woke up. I have also enrolled her in a Mom's Day Out Program two days a week.
Some other things that have helped me, is that I ask my husband for help when I need it. Whether it's picking up take out or cleaning the bath tub.
However, I think flexibility & creativity are key to making it work.
Good luck!
For household stuff I've started a family calendar. Almost everything goes on there (including bath nights for the baby).
For work stuff I create a to-do list and the end of the day. I tend to create overly ambitious lists; so I try not to freak out the next day when I don't get everything done. Also, for work (crafting and blogging) I try to create deadlines for when things should be complete. Even if I don't meet every deadline I am able to keep my "to do's" in the front of my mind.
Oh I wish I had answers for this! I am am unschooling mama to 3 boys, 6, 4 and 5 weeks and I will be returning to "work" (my photography business) next week and I am freaking out about how I will manage to do sessions and have time to edit them w/o my family and home going neglected!!
Thankfully dh works nights and is here most of the day and he will be bringing baby on shoots so I can still nurse...
But we have a VERY loose schedule and things get done when they get done....we prioritize, fun family time and eating comes before clean clothes and scrubbing the floors :)
And staying up to the wee hours of the morning is not an option, however going to bed early and getting up early before the kids to get stuff done is a better option!
Love everyone's answers and I see that we're all doing some version of "organized, yet flexible". I'm a textile designer and my work comes in a bit randomly. I arrange for my mother-in-law to come two afternoons a week so I'm guaranteed a good chunk of work-time. If I'm having an extra busy week I work on my laptop after my son's asleep, or I ask my MIL to come an extra day, or ask my husband if there's a day he can juggle to give me a few more hours (he's self-employed as well). I think my best days are when I surrender to the imperfection and just go with it. Sometimes I have an agenda and my son has another - rather than put him off all day I might need to slow down and be in toddler mode. I also reserve one afternoon a week for PLAY, always, no matter what. If we get extra that's awesome but I love knowing I'll have that break to just be Mama. This time is so wacky and the dishes are often not done, but I really do love being here with my little guy so much.
I wish I had an answer! I've been finding it next to impossible to get any sewing done between the three kids (including a baby who rarely naps longer than 1/2 and hour) the house. I use the Moitivated Moms program and I find it helpful in staying on top of the house work. Like other posters I try to maintain a flexible balance of priorities. I try to work when the babe is in good spirits and is happy to play with her toys and I'm near by. I also have a play and eating area set up for her in my work space which sometimes helps squeeze in a few more minutes of sewing time. I'm at the point of looking for child care a couple mornings a week during the week though.
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