How I Survive Being a Work-At-Home Mom

I am a WAHM – a work-at-home mom.

I stay at home with my child, but I also contribute to my family financially.

It sounds like a double negative. The words “work” and “mom” usually go hand in hand, amiright? It also sounds pretty great – I make money from the comfort of my own home! Fantastic!

You might understand what it’s TRULY like to work from home & want to jump to the good stuff. You can do that by clicking below.

SURVIVAL TIPS

WAHM RESOURCES

Otherwise, you may wonder what I do, how it came to be, or are curious why I use the word “survive” when I describe how I get through my day. If that’s the case, keeping reading.

Backstory

I started working in the corporate office for a home improvement store back in 2013. I loved my fast-paced position as a purchasing assistant, but in 2016, I found out that I was pregnant & knew that a change of pace was in my future.

Then came the news that our baby girl was going to be born with Down syndrome which was a major game changer. For that reason, the ability to be home reached the tippity-top of my priority list.

How did I stumble into this WAHM position?

I took a shot in the dark and asked my HR department. I needed to be with my girl, to be able to attend her therapies and to be present at her many doctor’s appointments. Sure enough – the company was kicking off our product data team & website development! Score!

I knew I’d have lots of brand new skills to learn, but I didn’t care. I took the job without a second thought! Ever since then, I’ve been able to create my own schedule to work around the truly important things in life, like my little family.

Maybe it sounds easy. No commute. Extra time with the kids. Maybe even time to clean the house, make dinner, or get a good workout in. No excuses.

Well, moving away from the office presented more of a learning curve than I was expecting.

My career world did a complete 180.

My work was now strictly virtual. My work day used to be a routine of non-stop phone calls, daily meetings, and interaction with my co-workers over lunch dates.

Suddenly there was no routine. I was only getting the occasional email, the bi-monthly conference call and conversation attempts with an infant.

Working from home was proving to be very VERY difficult.

I am essentially a stay a home mom (which is a job that deserves WAY more respect than it receives). The big difference is that between therapies, doctors appointments, play dates, pool time, preparing food, blogging and cleaning. I squeeze in 30-35 hours of work a week.

I just about lose my mind, my breath, and my sanity every single day.

I knew that I needed to share more on what the reality is for a mom who works from home, but whenever I found the time to write, I focused on Kara & pushed this topic to the back burner.

It was an email that pushed me over the edge.

One afternoon during Kara’s nap time, I was plugging away at my desk and I receive an email that reads something like this:

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Amber,

Sorry to interrupt “As the World Turns” or what ever your favorite soap is…I’m needing the latest order form. Can you help?

Thanks,

xxx

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I responded in a flash:

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xxx,

I’m kept way too busy to put my feet up. Here is the form you requested.

Thanks,

Amber

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Like any job, working from home means different things to different people. I can’t tell you what working from home is for every mom who does it. But I can tell you what it is NOT.

Working from home is NOT cushy.

It is NOT easy.

It is NOT relaxing.

It does NOT equal freedom.

I enjoy my work, but I feel like there is this idea that my work life either doesn’t exist or just runs smoothly because of the flexibility. All because I don’t have to leave my house.

My days never run smoothly…because, you know, . Also, I’m married to a police officer and my child has therapy three times a week. There is zero chance of a routine so I work when I can. Sometimes that is 7:00 am, sometimes its 11:00 pm, sometimes its 3:00 am & I’m tethered to a breast pump. There are times where I can’t work on a Monday so I work through the weekend instead.

My reason for everything.

The struggle is real. Working from home can be a real challenge, but adding kids into the mix can nearly break you if you don’t set some boundaries. Keep in mind that any lifestyle change requires an adjustment period and many of these things take lots and lots of PRACTICE before you find balance.

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Here is how I survive being a Work-at-Home Mom:

#1 Bullet Journal

I started bullet journaling at the beginning of 2017. Kara was four months old & it was important for me to find myself again (more on that HERE). Since then, I have found a love for a nice pen and gridded paper.

My bullet journal is where I dump my thoughts every morning. I take it with me to the breakfast table and write out everything I need to do for the day.

After trying out a couple different products, I have found satisfaction with this journal & these pens.

If you search “bullet journal” on , you will find umpteen ways to do it. Start one and play around with what works for you. Mine has morphed into almost exclusive daily to-do lists because I lack the time to be very creative.

That’s okay because it works for me.

Bullet Journaling sets me up for success, keeps my priorities straight & keeps me accountable for personal goals. By the time breakfast is over, I know exactly where my day stands as far my home life goes.

Another option is a daily planner, this is a great one HERE. Again, the possibilities are endless, but if you find yourself in the special needs world, make sure you check out The Glory Days planner.

The Glory Days planner is currently in manufacturing & is set to be released November 2018 – dated for the 2019 year. The final product will be a spiral bound hard cover 12 month planner featuring therapy pages to help track your child’s daily therapy routines and progress. This planner also offers daily meal planning and self care check ins among another special features.

I was happy to be a part of the demo team, so I can promise that you won’t be disappointed!

#2 Separate Work & Home As Much As Possible

It’s important to have a separate, designated work space.

I have a home office where I have a literal barrier from the rest of the house, but maybe your work space unfolds on the patio during warmer weather. Maybe it appears at the table after breakfast has been cleared.

Regardless, when you sit down to work, that is what the focus needs to be. No grocery lists are made, no laundry is being folded, no doctor’s appointments are made, no personal calls are being taken. Redirecting your focus (as much as possible) is essential for a productive work day. You need to clock-in. Not only in a physical way, but a mental one as well.

Same goes for mentally clocking out – a big reason you might have accepted a work-from-home position is to be able to spend more time with family. That time is invaluable. When spending time with family, make sure you are present. Close the laptop & toss the phone to the side…Otherwise, what’s the point?

#3 Have a Distraction Plan

I know first hand that keeping home & work completely separate is easier said than done when you have kiddos pawing at your otherwise productive hands.

Make an effort to be prepared when it comes to distracting/avoiding the little ones. If you’ve got a conference call coming up, make sure their favorite movie is in & ready to hit play. If you’ve got a phone call to make, schedule that sucker at nap time. Get everything ready the night before, lay out clothes, plan activities, restock everything the kids use and prepare drinks/snacks ahead of time. Touch on anything that will make the next day run a little smoother.

Survival Equipment

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I have this awesome portable playard set up next to my desk where Kara hangs out, plays with her toys & reads her books. She will usually entertain herself for a good amount of time.

I also love a good no-spill cup. Anything that prevents a mess is a mom’s best friend. Hand it over and forget it. 

Toy Rotation

When Kara’s attention span goes from “short” to “consistently non-existent”, I bring out a rotation of toys that she hasn’t seen in a while. We have a few different rotations throughout the house to keep her interested. It usually does the trick.

We are all doing the best that we can when it comes to working from home & being a mom. Which brings me to my next survival tip…

#4 Let Go Of Guilt

This one gets me every time. Going hand-in-hand with distracting your children while you work comes the mom guilt. Ideally, you try to work when the kids are sleeping, whether its early in the morning, during nap time or after they’ve gone to bed.

Life isn’t always that pretty.

With our situation, Jacob typically works nights so I’m able to switch off when he is home during the day (see next tip) and log a couple of hours in a row. However, his schedule changes around A LOT. There are many days where I am left to my own devices so I know that guilty feeling all too well.

You are constantly worrying

“I’m working from home so I can be with my kid, but here I am giving them a toy & turning them away”

“How much screen time has she had today?”

“Is this the best I can be?”

The thoughts can make you sick to your stomach.

I am still trying to learn my way on this one, but take a deep breath & remember that sometimes its FINE to let them fuss. Its FINE to let them play on their own. Its FINE to grab a glass a wine even though its only noon (just kidding..but really). Try not to rip your hair out, try to not chug the whole bottle and try your best not to beat yourself up.

We are all doing the best that we can & in the end, it really is worth it.

#5 Create A Schedule/Routine

Get something on the books. Create rules, set boundaries, and have a routine in place. You’re going to need it if you want to survive the world of being a work-at-home mom.

Try these out:

• Wake up early, start your coffee and get dressed for the day. All it takes for me to get motivated is simply putting some shoes on. 
• Schedule time blocks – these are specific blocks of time set aside to work fast, furious, & completely uninterrupted. If you’re married, make sure you communicate with your spouse about this important scheduled time & have them commit to taking the kids out of your hair. Maybe you utilize drop-in daycare a couple days a week to achieve this. 
• Break down your tasks into 15-minute increments and tackle them  piece by piece during this fast &  furious time. 15-minutes can go a long way.

Not everyone is the same – find what works for you & what helps you crush your day.

#6 Practice Self-Care

This is a biggie.

When you become a parent, it’s far too easy to forget about yourself. There have been times where I don’t realize how far I’ve been stretching myself until its too late. It’s taken me a long time to understand the importance of my own well-being.

Take the previous tip and block out some time for YOU. My mom said something just the other day that really resonated with me. She said…

One hour of rest is more valuable than one hour of work.

Keep this in mind and make yourself a priority, certainly one that gets regular attention. Don’t let yourself drown.

As much as you love those darling children of yours, you will snap if you don’t have consistent alone time. Being able to recognize when you need a break is a learned skill. Be aware of yourself & your state of mind.

#7 Remember That It’s Worth It

I don’t know a single WAHM who says its easy, but they will say that its worth it.You get to enjoy all the good & bad of being a stay-at-home-mom while still helping to provide for the family.

You get the opportunity to show the world what a POWERHOUSE you are. You get to be a great role model for your kids. You don’t miss a second, a smile, a laugh of theirs because of this opportunity.

Be grateful & above all, remember why you’re doing this in the first place. It is worth it.

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I’ve got to know – what are your best tips for working from home? How do you survive?

Here are some great resources for moms wanting to re-enter the workforce, transition to a work-at-home position, or are looking to freshen up their skills:

The Mom Project

Committed to helping women remain active in the workforce in every stage of their journey. Whether you’re looking for a freelance gig or full-time work in a family-friendly environment, The Mom Project is here to help.

The Apres Group

Today in the United States, there are more than three million women with college or advanced degrees trying to reenter the workforce. These women are an invaluable source of talent for corporate America—they bring a strong skillset, a proven work record, reliability, life experience, and confidence. So why is it nearly impossible for them—for women like you—to get a job? Après was created to change this.

Shout out to some awesome ladies who pitched in their best WAHM survival tips:

Click the names below to check out their Instagram feeds & also check out their websites to see how different being a work-at-home mom can look!

• – BaumAss Foods
• – Cedar’s Story
• – Lauren Konrad Photography
• – Life with Huddy & Harry
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• – JanelleEspling.com