Today for the very first time, I dropped off my 1-year-old at daycare. This is a bittersweet moment.
For the past year, since his birth, I’ve been working from home full-time with an infant ― and it was the hardest thing ever. But... it was worth it! Watching him grow and never missing a moment of his first year was priceless. Now, my oldest has been going to preschool part-time for a while, so it is also good to be able to spend some days with him at home as well. I am grateful. I realize that not every mom gets to experience that.
Although I complained at times because of how exhausting the situation was, playing the supermom role and all, I knew it was temporary. We’d agreed we’d keep him at home the first year, but when he was six months, it was already starting to feel almost impossible. Working during nap time was never consistent, and working after the kids went to bed was becoming too overwhelming. Sleeping after midnight every night was my life. What was supposed to be “the best of both worlds” became a nightmare.
See, people have this misconception that working from home is all peaches and roses. That’s a thing, right? Peaches and roses? I can’t think straight right now (currently tucked in bed writing this). Anyway, as I was saying, by working from home, I don’t mean selling oils or It Works! (no offense), but I am referring to work-at-home-moms with a full-time salary position.
I often hear: “You’re so lucky. I wish I could have your job so I could bring in some income and be with my kids.”
Uh... yeah....
I always tell them to be prepared to do double the work. Because that is the reality. WORK-AT-HOME-MOMS wear both hats. We’re home with the kids and trying to work at the same time, while keeping up with cooking and household chores while trying not to feel guilty about not devoting enough time to play peek-a-boo. Let me add how messy the house gets! So it is not as “golden” as people think.
It is, however, a good option if you have a very flexible job where you can set your own hours and work whenever, wherever. Even better if you’re able to have some help during the day for your own sanity.
Every now and then, time away from the kids will make you a better mother and a much better employee.
All in all, working from home has been a blessing for my family. I do admit that I have a love-and-hate relationship with my job. But at the end of the day, it’s what’s best for my family and our current stage of life.
So in order to continue to make it work, something had to change after my latest breakdown. And I feel so great about this decision. Sort of like I can breathe again ― major weight lifted off my shoulders.
So now, this mama right here gets a break three days a week to work during normal business hours of the day and sleep when everyone sleeps because I will no longer have to be a night owl who works past midnight .
Amen to that.
