My first weeks of being a WAHM
The Working Mom
I’ve been a working mom for 14 years. True, I’ve worked longer than that, but my oldest is almost 15.
During those 14 years I’ve missed quite a lot.
- Vanessa’s first recitation of the alphabet.
- The first time Sabrina sat up.
- Sabrina’s first time crawling.
- Vanessa’s first ice cream cone.
- Chaperoning school trips.
- Daily convos on the way home from school.
- Several award ceremonies.
- Damian’s “Firsts” until the age of 2.
- The first time Natasha crawled.
- And, sadly, many others.
I use to envy stay-at-home-moms. Especially the one that were able to work from home.
Now? Now I envy those moms who successfully work from home.
The WAHM
Don’t be envious. Not in the least. These first weeks working from home HAS NOT been filled with “make my own hours” or”play with the kids when I want and work when I want”. Not at all.
Starting your own business from home is very much like starting any business. Long bloody hours.
I’ve spent a lot of time in this little home office of mine. So much so that I want to install a mini fridge, a coffee maker and a toilet. One of my clients produces custom digital wallpaper and I’m thinking of finding something scenic from Fotolia.com and asking my client’s shop to print the sucker for me. I’ll have the illusion of a bigger room and something prettier to gaze at than these four walls when the wheels are turning in my head.
Along with the long bloody hours is the must need to get organized. To schedule my time. To put a huge bloody calendar on the wall to tell me what I need to do every damn day, cause I swear, if I was just a tiny bit more organized, I won’t feel guilty or overwhelmed after taking a play break or my lunch break with my kiddos. I know it’s possible cause there are awesome WAHMs on twitter that ARE doing it! If I was just a bit more scheduled, I could actually start designing my business site. You’d think that was the first thing I would have done, but since I got my first clients so quickly, I’ve been armpit deep in their website stuff – the stuff that pays right now, ya’ know?
And then, then there’s the loneliness. Sitting in this little office of mine, with no co-workers to harass gets boring and lonely. I’m actually happy for the days when I can pull on something other than pajamas and head out into Manhattan to meet with my clients.
Things I need to get my ass in motion and do:
- Get a big bloody calendar
- Look for an application that tracks my time.
- Get a bluetooth so I can BS with friends when I’m doing the tedious-mechanical-no-brainer stuff.
- Get a mini cooler with ice for bottled drinks (hello? new business, no $$ for a fridge – but yes I have money for a bluetooth)
Other than that . . . I’m doing pretty damn well. Well enough that I’m thinking of sharingI’ve decided to share my journey on this blog. You know me, I like sharing. So as I go, resources I come across or hurdles I tackle or just crap that bugs me or stuff that’s just plain awesome, I’ll share. I’ll share for those moms who aspire to work from home. And if you’re one of those moms, sign up for an email subscription or the RSS feed, this way you’ll know when I have something new to share. And if you have burning questions, ask. I may not have the answer now, but hopefully I will soon or I’ll point you to wherever I find it. Just leave a comment, I won’t forget you.
If you’re a WAHM who’s sharing too, please let me know. I’ll happily follow the pros. Seriously. No, I’m not kissing ass. Seriously. WAHMs rock!
Oh! If you’re a SAHM and a full-time student, getting your education online. I’d love to know what you do for organizational management and inspiration? How do you take classes from home while managing the home and the kids?
Photo Credit: © Arcady – Fotolia
From experience, I know just how tough it is to be a WAHM. It’s nothing like what most who aren’t WAHMs think it is. It’s great that you’re setting goals for yourself on what you’d like to get accomplished. I think that’s key! I wish you best of luck!
Jessica recently posted..10 Things this Non-BlogHer ’11 Attendee Did to “Stay Connected”
Jessica! Thanks for the encouragement dear and for stopping by!
I work twice a week from home and I can tell you that you MUST get organized. You’ll straight up lose your mind if you don’t. You have a Mac right? Dude, you gots to start using the My Day app! It will help you keep track of crap digitally. BUT…I also have an old school cork board that has a calendar on it. I’ll take a pic of my home office when I get home so I can show you what it looks like. The board is huge and it’s dry erase too so you can easily write and erase stuff from the calendar. I’ll post the pic on Instagram just for you tonight when I get home! I’m so proud of you, Vanita! You’re really doing what you wanted to do and I envy that. I’d love to quit my job and open my own restaurant or bakery. Someday….
Eve recently posted..Expecting Too Much: An Apology to My Husband
ya know, i have an Intel Core 2 Duo but i never updated to snow. so no apps for me. at least not yet. i’ve got software that wont run on higher than 10.5.8. i’m looking forward to that pic! thanks Eve.
You got this…you’re a brilliant hustler (the good kind) and you’ll get it right. I have every faith in you.
Angel recently posted..Freedom, the Fire, and the Rain
Aww thank you wonderful lady. With the support I have from you, christal, waning and my hubby, how can i get it wrong?
Vanita recently posted..Test Driving Triberr
I think you’re going to be just fine! Seriously, if your blog is any indication of how successful your business is going to become, you’re going to be JUUUUUUUST fine
I can’t wait to read all about your journey-Sure it’s going to be really hard to start up everything, but just think about the future and the sense of pride and accomplishment the whole way!
Your readers believe in you
Kayla recently posted..Health Update Thursday(8/11)-Part 1
Aww thanks Kayla. You’re an awesome blogger too and I get all your posts in my inbox. I’m looking forward to the next post, talk about a cliffhanger.
Vanita recently posted..Test Driving Triberr
It is not easy to be a mom. It takes a whole lot of effort to lead the family. This is why I love my mom. It takes a great relief if your family acknowledges the mom’s goal for each member.
All Mothers are working mothers but man, is it hard to work from home! I am not as organized as I could be either – a work in progress!
Capability recently posted..Smile, a Graphic Novel by Raina Telgemeir