And so it begins. Up to this point (since the birth of our second child) I have been a stay-at-home mom. Apparently this implies that I am unemployed. However, I look at it as more of an unpaid position. Kind of like volunteer work for your local charity in the sense that it is highly rewarding, you are doing it by choice (hopefully), because it is your passion and you wouldn’t have it any other way, and your only payment is the rewarding time spent “volunteering,” in this case, as mom. Not to mention the fact that I feel like my so-called hobby, HappyHourMom.com, quickly became a full-time job for Toni and I.
So here I am, employed. Officially. Exciting, right? Absolutely. A whole new adventure? Definitely. I am now becoming the queen of time management, or giving it my best shot anyway. Before, I balanced my time between mommy time, play-with-kiddos time, and blogging. My newest job allows me to work primarily from home which I am finding to be a good and bad thing. On one hand it allows me to be home with my kids and save money on daycare, while on the other hand it leaves me struggling at times to find a balance. I tend to work longer hours when I work from home, mostly because I never really have to clock out. And work, like motherhood (as if there is a difference) is never done. So, bare with me over the next few weeks as I adjust to my new schedule and find ways to most efficiently manage my time. If you are in my shoes, please send your tips my way! I am excited to begin this journey, can’t wait to see how it goes…
Co-Founder/CEO of HappyHourMom.com, Freelancer, Internet Marketing Consultant, and Social Media lover. Wife to an amazing husband, mom to two beautiful little girls, and follower of Jesus Christ. I am a Happy Hour Mom…are you?
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Hear you loud and clear!
When just starting I would suggest “clocking” your time. Or keep a journal to show how much time you are working etc. OR you make a very clear schedule and set alarms on your phone, a regular clock, whatever to tell you you’re donw with this part of the day and it’s time to move on to the next part. Sometimes I’ll set my alarm to 5 minutes before I have to be done becuase let’s be honest, even though we’re moms who do it all, we need the warning just like our toddlers do.
Also, keep in mind, like you said, the work will always be there. No matter how much you work, it will always be there. So just stop when it’s time to stop. It’s hard and I’ll admit I don’t always do that but I should.
My 3 year old is all into discovering what all she is. Daughter, sister, etc. I had to do this for myself to figure out where my time needs to go then write up a schedule for myself to follow. For 2 hours Monday nights we have family time. The kids go to bed then for 2 hours its time for me to spend with my husband to just chat (that time is few and far between).
Make a list of who you are and what you want to make time for and need to make time for. That will help you prioritize your duties.
Wife, mom, worker, blogger…(perferably do it in order of most importance).
Hope it helped.
Eryn
Thank you Eryn for your words of wisdom. You make it all look too easy! At least we know that doing all (or most) or it can happen with a little creative thinking!
Too true. As you’ve witnessed though, the more you spread yourself out, the smaller your brain gets.