Work at Home Mom: Double the Work

Now, some people may get offended by this article. I’m not saying stay-at-home moms don’t have their work cut out for them. I’m not saying moms who work aren’t busy moms. All moms are busy. All moms work, no matter if they are at home or in an office all day. Right now I’m going to focus on work-at-home moms, because that is what I am, and that is what I relate to.

I haven’t been a work at home mom for long. I’m guessing around six months. I’ve dabbled in a few things here and there. At first, I was a “childcare provider”. Yes, that counts as a work at home mom. I’m working, aren’t I? Caring for other people’s children is harder than caring for your own, because you have someone else to answer to. And when it comes to caring for children, moms can be finicky. Then, I started a work at home position with an actual company. I generally work between 15 and 20 hours a week. That may not be much to the average part timer, but keep in mind that I’m also the sole caregiver for my children as well. Not to mention, I’m responsible for the upkeeping of the house, for planning and cooking meals, and I also cart my children to various activities such as sports, Scouts and church. How does one do it? How does one achieve that balance between working and caring for the children all the same?

I can attest that the nice thing about being a work at home mom is that I can work any time within a 24 hour schedule. I don’t have that regular 9-5 timeframe to keep. I do have deadlines and quotas to meet, however. It isn’t like I’m watching Oprah, eating bon-bons and playing legos all day. I have to make time to work, and I must say that is that is the most difficult part of my day. I sincerely wish I could play with the kids all day. I feel guilty when they ask me to play with them and I am forced to say, “Not right now honey, I’m busy.” But, I have to keep in mind that I’m working to provide for my family, and that even though I can’t play with them right now, they will get my attention later.