Is it really easier being a work at home mom?
Here's what I have to go through almost everyday.
In the middle of any kind of projects, be it just trying to
write articles or making the details of my downlines' total
points -- suddenly my four months baby is crying painfully.
Turns out, her 4-years-old sister is showing her outrageous
affection by pulling the baby's hair! She said, "But, there's
dirt in her head, mom!"
This is the kind of situation that needed my immediate
attention. By attention I mean, breastfeeding the baby --
usually takes 15 to 20 minutes while trying to explain to my
older daughter about her wrong action (learning html is much
more easier than having to have an argument with a toddler!).
One job done? Well, not exactly.
Still can't go back to my computer because then the big sister
wants to go to the bathroom. And 10 minutes after that, my mom
came and reported that the washing machine is broken! So the
next 20 minutes I'm trying hard to be a mechanic -- but fail
successfully -- and then suddenly remembers that I haven't
prepared any lunch.
An hour has passed. The ideas that were previously in my head --
following me wherever I go and whatever I do, has gone. Laziness
and tiredness are starting to come.
And that's just the typical day in a work at home mom's life ;-)
Try and search the internet about time management, working at
home articles, sharing experiences with other stay at home moms.
And you too will find out that working at home is just as
challenging as working at the office.
Have you ever try making plans such as when to work, when to
cook, when to breastfed the baby or basically do everything
without any disturbances? Most of the other work at home moms
will tell me the same thing. The plan will barely work.
So, what should we do then?
Me, I chose to just go ahead and work according to the house
chores schedule.
I know that my ideas will often be disturbed by my baby's crying
or the time to prepare meals. That's okay because I chose to be
a wahm and felt that I already have many advantages with this
choice. Not, that I never complain or lose a temper...nope, my
husband will tell you exactly ;-)
But what I can do right now is just being grateful for the
choice that I have -- working at home and just try to do the
best with the so called spare time I have. If I have to do the
articles at 2 o'clock in the morning, so be it. The important
thing is, my Editor-in-chief will received the translations at
the time she opens her email the next morning.
If I have to stop my blogwalking because I need to breastfed my
baby or my daughter wants to play barbie or nickjr.com, then
that's what I would do.
Also, I found that I can only do one thing at a time. Whether
it's for answering emails, updating my blogs, blogwalking or
writing articles - one thing at a time.
I love to make use of the spare times I have like when I'm
waiting for my little girl at school. Typing the ideas in my
laptop while waiting in the car or read all the great articles I
printed from the internet.
Well, this is the theory, won't be easy though.
But, having that thankful attitude is all that it takes to make
it easier. My rewards so far includes being the first person to
hear my babies' first word or a kiss from hubby for a wonderful
dinner -- while checking out my monthly commissions of course ;-)