Ever want to throw in the towel?
As a work from home mom, there are many times I certainly do!!
I wrote this Tuesday morning and just getting around to posting:
We had a tornado scare last night, so nobody slept well and of course our day started late. After getting everyone dressed, fed and my son off to school, this is was my morning…
• Discover my daughter’s sippy cup was leaking milk all over her school bag and floor. She then proceeds to take a big poo while also wanting to help me clean up the milk.
• I get the baby and bag cleaned up (5 minutes behind schedule)
• Change school bags, get a new cup and put on shoes and coats. Head off to preschool. (5 more minutes behind)
• Get on the highway to find bumper to bumper traffic (great! I have a conference call at 9:45 !!) Good news, I have my iPhone- I can talk and look at web design via the phone:-) Bad news, it’s not charged and I left my charger at home:-(
• Take the side roads and finally get to the preschool at 9:30 am! (only 30 minutes late… ugh)
• Rush home- I could have died the way I was driving! Got in my office exactly at 9:45 to call the client, to be told they were on another call and would have to call me back. {sigh}
So now, I’m writing this post, and waiting….
Is it worth it? Some days, I don’t know. I would love to spend the few hours my kids are at school, volunteering, crafting or actually doing some laundry for a change! I envy stay at home moms who don’t work. I don’t have to work, but I really love my job and make great money doing it. I want my kids to know that they can do anything they set their mind to and actually have a job they enjoy like their mom. I produce things they can see and touch. That’s another thing I love about my job. Plus, I get to be at home with them, pick my work hours or work in my pajamas! I hope I’m doing the right thing, in my heart it’s something that I love, so I will keep doing it. Many days it’s just so hard to keep up with a business and a family! I wish I was Mrs. Brady and had an Alice, then it would all be a piece of cake right?
Yeah, Mrs. Brady didn’t work and her kids weren’t preschoolers either! Nope, this is reality and I need to enjoy life and stop stressing about conference calls. Everyone, whether they work or not, has bad mornings! All will be good:-) Oh, there’s the phone now… gotta run… wish me luck!
Update:
They loved my designs, so I felt some relief and a sense of accomplishment for all my hard work. I’m also happy that in this economy my business is busier than ever. Our family is very blessed and I have to remember that I chose this way of life. I can always throw in the towel if it gets to be too much, but that’s just not the way I roll.
Now for some great downloads…
Here are some ultra cute vintage tags by Tanya at Grand Revival Design.
Download Kate’s Paperie templates and make your own ornaments!
Dear Santa letters and Cookie Labels from Crafty Carnival
Frequently Asked Questions
What printer do you use?
I love my Canon i9900. This is great for my design comps since it prints up to 13″x19″. I’ve had this for about 5-6 years and never had a problem.
What paper do you use?
I use lots of different papers, but just started buying Staples Heavyweight Paper. I like that it’s FSC certified and endorsed by the Rainforest Alliance. I also really like double sided matte paper for when I print on both sides. Epson and Staples brands are both good. I prefer matte over gloss any day.
Well, for what it’s worth from a stranger, I was always proud of my mom who worked. I don’t remember doing anything in specific with her during the days she was home. I just knew she was doing laundry or cooking or house stuff and I was playing at her feet or just in the same room. Good enough mom time…was still special. And when she worked, I was proud that girls were smart and capable in my family, versus many of my friends’ moms who “just stayed home.”
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Sounds like a crazy day, but I’m glad they loved your designs!!!
Laurie’s last blog post..Winning Recipes and Pictures
Boy, have I been there! It has always been a struggle to balance my work-at-home writing career with motherhood. I thought I might lose my mind over the summer, frankly, when I had too many projects at once. But just when I thought something was going to have to change, it did–school started again, and my youngest went off to 1st grade!
I say if you love what you’re doing, keep on doing it. It won’t be this crazy forever. 🙂
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Bill and I both decided before we even got married that I would stay home with the kids after they were born. And honestly…I don’t miss my job at all! (I was a teacher.) I think he’d like me to get a job after all the kids are in school, but I have a difficult time imagining how I will get it all done if I do that. I really admire moms like you who do have a thriving business and are great moms at the same time. I don’t think I could do it!
The Arthur Clan’s last blog post..Fifteen.
We all have days like that!
I like what I do, but wish I did make more money at it, lol. Maybe one day…I’m trying! I should have learned how to design websites & blogs, though, that would help to generate a little bit of income nowadays. It’s not too late, but I think I have other passions than that….it’s just that everything I am passionate about doesn’t pay, lol.
Bella
so glad my kids are out of diapers!!! 😉
Bella Casa’s last blog post..Lentil-Spinach Stew Recipe
I swear they always poop right as it’s time to go! My kids are the worst dawdlers in the world. I always dread preschool mornings. It will get better! Hang in there!
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I think it’s impossible to get anything done with my preschoolers around too, but I agree, it’s so worth it. Your day sounds like mine!
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I’m sure the satisfaction of the client made it all worth your while! You sound a lot like me – I truly enjoy my job and although everyone around me is staying home with the kids, I get a great sense of accomplishment by managing a career and a family!
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Husband often says he can’t imagine adding another baby to the fray right now…but I imagine there is blessing in the busyness that comes with two small children at once, right?
Those TV moms always made it look like a piece of cake. When was Carol Brady ever disheveled? She (and the kids) pretty much always looked completely put-together. Maybe we could get an Alice for Christmas? 🙂
Minnesotamom’s last blog post..
Amy, I’ve been working at home since January 1995 when my son had just turned 1. I gave up a career as an insurance agency underwriter to do just as you are doing. Granted, I totally shifted gears when I had him, having stayed in insurance up until I encountered difficulties with my pregnancy and got benched by the doctor.
I too have a busy schedule and a several-hour turnaround requirement with my work. There were days where the transcription was due and my kids were sick and I’d think “oh my God, how can I work full-time from home and still manage their needs”. But somehow it all works out and when all is said and done, my kids will always remember me being there…. and so will yours. I’ve felt very blessed to be able to earn a living……………….while still in my PJs some days!
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