Many of us on this board are mothers who work out of our homes, which presents special challenges. This subject has been weighing on my mind this week, so I decided to write about it.I am a full time mom, and I am certainly blessed to be one. I used to be a teacher and a staff trainer in mathematics, so to finally stop taking care of other people's children and focus totally on my own was truly a relief!! Although some teachers do it, I can't imagine dealing with 20 children every day, then coming home and dealing with my own. Why work to pay someone else to raise my children while I raise someone else's. (And for those who don't think teachers have a large part in raising children - at least the good ones - has never been a teacher.)As much as I am glad to be home, it is not easy to run a business from your home with three little ones 5 and under puttering about. Plus, I'm that silly stay at home mom who doesn't depend on the TV to take care of the children and instead engages them in reading, crafts and the like. So to take the time to complete something during the day, whether it be computer work, formulating new recipes or whipping up orders - well, sometimes it's catch as catch can. I can hear them now, as I write, singing and chatting in their room.So how do I do it? I've gotten to the point where I have to schedule my work in 15 min segments and keep a notebook next to my computer so that I can write down any to-dos or next steps that I need to complete. Believe me, children have a way of interrupting you just as you were about to get the best idea. And it's not always frivolous stuff. My daughter is polite enough to let me know that she's about to use the bathroom, that she's finished using the bathroom, that she's flushed the toilet AND that she's washed her hands. How in the world can I run a business without these updates? She's better than the Bloomberg report!To all of your WAHMs out there, here's a list of what I do to keep sane. Note, this does not work all the time, as those creatures we call children are unpredictable, and on a bad day will do almost anything to get your attention (to learn more about their shenanigans, check out www.blackdomesticgoddess.com1. Make a to-do list the night before, after the children go to sleep. Mine hit the sack at 7 pm. (yes, they do!) This way you can recap the day and have a list in place before those angels jostle you out of sleep at 6 am the next morning.2. Keep a notepad or sticky notes by your computer at all times. That way, when the potty annoucements, requests for juice, or a loud commotion from the other room yanks you out of 15 businesswoman mode, you can (sort of) jump right in where you left off.3. Reach out for help: One time I just showed up on my mom's doorstep with a diaper bag and a desperate look. All I needed was to be away from them for 3 hours to get my head together!4. Remember - it's not that important. If the interruptions are too much, then just stop. If you try to continue and they continue to interrupt, it will just lead to frustration for you and for the little ones. Make a note to pick up where you left off after they go to bed. Some of you early birds may get up early, but I'm not one of that elite group. I'm a night owl. :)5. Take a break from the business. Schedule a weekday where you don't touch the computer until after they go to bed. It's hard, but it's worth it. They'll love the fact that you're looking at them instead of a computer and/or in my case whipping a bowl of shea butter. (Ok, honestly, I've checked my email on these days, but didn't respond until they were asleep. No, really, I didn't. Ok, maybe responded to one or two.....maybe three.)Above all have fun. Yes, we are all trying to grow our business, but remember why you stayed at home in the first place. I didn't leave my educators job to be a bath and body maker - I left it to take care of my children. In my mind, they come first right now.Thanks for reading!
Thank you Cee Cee for your advice. I am also a WAHM with three little ones. I recently had my son on mothers day. I have to adjust to this new addition to our family. I am blessed to have him, but overwhelmed at the same time. How do you get them to go to bed soo early? Mines hit the sack at 9p.m
Thanks cee cee, your advice was very helpful. I'm a single mother, I work part-time and i have a part-time business, trying to balance all three is challenging. But, the lord will never give us more than we can handle.
Thanks Cee Cee, This is one of the reasons why I wanted to be a part of BBWO....I know that I am not alone. Through all of the challenges of me being a single parent of a new female teenager, running two businesses and taking online classes, you need all of the support that you can get. There is some comfort in knowing that you are not alone and someone else actually understands the craziness that you can go through sometimes. This can help you to feel grounded and sane! I love being a stay at home mom, an entrepreneur and a student and I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world right now. What you just did helps me to love it that much more. I thank you for that. You gave some good advice and I definitely felt your support. I also find that it is always good to take notes to keep in order and to stay on track. Good luck to you in your endeavors.
Cee Cee, I do understand. I am a former school teacher. I only taught for five years. I am in transition from the classroom. I am currently working as a Director of the Academic Center at a local collage. The hardest thing for me to do everyday is to get up and leave my children. I am seeking ways to make the necessary changes to be a stay at home mom. God has been gracious enough to give me many talents. I am seeking his will for me. I am selecting which avenue I am going to venture out on and have faith enough to follow through. I appauld you for the commitment that you are making to your children.
CeeCee, thank you so much for sharing these tips! It does tend to get overwhelming at times trying to balance working from home with the children. I have a 3 and 4 year old at home with me and they are a handful! BUT, they are my reason for working from home so that I can be there for them. (along with my 3 school aged children). Thanks again and may God continue to richly bless you and your family.
Great tips CeeCee. I agree 100% that as Work at home moms we really need to police ourselves, setting up schedules that work best of us, our business, and our families. My son's father has chosen to support me to a large degree by being a stay at home dad. He takes care our son and cooks breakfast, cleans, etc. when I am at work. And when I am doing house duties, he is learning internet marketing and helping me generate more traffic online. At the same time, we make time for movie nights, family outings, quite nights, etc. You have to map out a schedule because its so easy to get lost in the business when you are so passionate about seeing it succeed.
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God bless!!
~Tamyka