I never thought I’d be a working mom. Let alone a work at home mom. I knew I’d always find ways to make a little money to add to our finances on the side, but this life I’m living. I never imagined it. Here I am, though, trying to figure out how to balance it all.
I get up at 5 AM these days just so I can get work done. Only usually, sometime between 5:30 and 6:30 I’ll find a small body tucking their toes under my legs, trying to share the space with my laptop. It’s like they have a 6th sense to when Mom gets up. No matter how softly I tiptoe or attempt gliding my stockinged feet across the cold hardwood floors they know I’m up.
I try to focus. Maybe if I cover them in a blanket they’ll go back to sleep for a little longer.
7AM rolls along, and I know I’m pushing it letting everyone else sleep more. We have 55 minutes to get up, get dressed, eat, make lunches, and double check backpacks before waiting for the bus. Thankfully the bus stops right in front of our house, so on cold mornings we hang out just inside the door.
There are days I feel bad for not walking them to school. After all, the bus ride around the corner takes longer than it does to walk. I remind myself the kids find joy riding the bus with their friends. So I resign myself to making sure I’m always at the door when they leave and when they get home. Because I’m Mom and that’s where I’m needed twice a day.
Do you know how incredibly hard it is to be “at work” with a 3-year-old stuffing RescueBots in your face begging you to play? For the rest of the day I feel torn. I need to work. I HAVE to work because I actually have clients and timelines. I also have schoolwork. It was a choice that to some may be something I could let go of, but it’s something for me I have to do. I also need to spend time with little prince. It’s a need for both of us. He’s my baby. In a few months he may be at school, making friends. I can’t waste this time we have together.
So I’m left wondering – usually around midnight – how do I do it all, and still find balance? I decide I can’t. So I let it go from my mind. I kiss my sweet babies and husband goodnight and head to bed for a little more sleep before doing it all again.
Are you a working mom?
Please share how you’ve found balance in your life!
To find more inspiration on balancing parenting and work, check out these awesome blogs:
Daily Momtivity
The Buccio Clan
Peaches and Pickles
Simple at Home
Sara B Nash
Craft Create Calm
Multitasking Mom
LedyLiz
Sweet Discord
Smart Mom, Smart Ideas
Misty Shaheen
Suzi Whitford
Angela Coleman Sherman