Toddler Times
What if I’m Not a Good Work-at-Home-Mom?
This is my last week of work as a WOHM (work-outside-home-mom).
I decided to quit my job because I missed my kids something awful. I’ve been dreaming and hoping and praying for this day since I first gave birth back in 2002.
As I wrap up my employment and begin to settle into my new life as a WAHM (work-at-home-mom) freelance writer, I’m feeling super duper anxious.
I adore my kids, but what if everything I’ve spent 9 years dreaming, hoping and praying for is nothing like what I imagined? What if I don’t transition well into the role of a WAHM? I have to believe being home isn’t for everyone; after all, plenty of coworkers have told me as much (um, so what I don’t need to hear right now). I’m left with the nagging question: Is the stay-at-home grass really greener? It freaking better be.
I have no doubt being home is going to be great — at least in the beginning. I’ll catch up on glorious amounts of sleep, love up on my kids, finally clean out my kitchen cupboards and maybe even get to that garage sale I’ve been promising myself…but what about after that?
Will I be bored? Frustrated? Productive? Will I transition into a WAHM gracefully or will I stumble every step of the way? Knowing myself for 35 years, I have to believe I’ll stumble.
My girl, Roni, at Baby’s First Year asked the pivotal question, Balancing Working at Home With Kids. Is It Possible? Oh sweet gods of productivity, come Monday I’ll find out — eeks!
Emily Mendell’s thoughtful piece entitled, Home Is Where the Job Is lists the awesome pros and frightening cons of WAHMdom. I’m taking it all in my friends, listening and learning from both sides of the fence. I have my fears but I’m more than excited for this new chapter of my life — the chapter where my kid gets to sleep past 5:00 a.m. and maybe, just maybe the chapter where my husband comes home to a home-cooked meal, like actually made on a stove…then again, I can’t make any promises.
Have you made the transition to WAHM? Tell me about it!
More on Toddler Times:
Teaching Preschool From Home: Can I (or Should I) Do It?
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5 Comments
Christine commented on Oct 19 11 at 10:50 amI’ve been blessed that my boss has allowed me to work from home part time since the birth of my oldest 2 1/2 years ago. It was 2 days a week and is now just 1, but that’s still one more than a traditional working mom gets. So … I’m blessed. It’s a struggle to be productive and not feel like you’re neglecting the kids. Or to spend time with the kids and not feel like you are neglecting work.
I’d love to be a SAHM or even full time WAHM, but it’s not in the cards right now. Some day I hope. In the meantime, I’ll live vicariously through you.
Rebecka commented on Oct 19 11 at 1:56 pmSeems like you have at least one kid in school (9 yrs?), I don’t know if you have another at home. For me that is the challenging part, nap times are only so long (and not that predictible), and I end up working at night after my daughter is alseep. I also do a babysitting exchange with a neighborhood WAHM once a week to get a little extra fosued time in.
But if this is what you really want then I think you will make it work and love it! It takes some of the schedule pressure off (no more dressed and out of the house by 7am) so that mornings can be enjoyable. And I have never been bored. We go to the gym together (and I can get an extra hour of work in by leaving her in the day care a little longer). We go to the zoo, story time, walks in the middle of the day… the list goes on. You will have a blast!
Tina commented on Oct 19 11 at 6:31 pmYou will do very well. I am so happy for you, the kids and BDP. All the best.
Betsy at Zen Mama commented on Oct 19 11 at 8:17 pmI remember when I first stayed home. I didn’t miss my job and but I missed my paycheck. I was surprised because that kind of thing was never important to me. But you’ll be working for yourself. You’ll imagine you have all this time but it’s amazing how it fills up. I’m very happy for you!!
Lisa commented on Oct 20 11 at 2:40 pmI have to agree, the time fills up fast. I think it’s all about establishing a community of at-home parents… friends for playdates. And involving your kids in activities if possible. Your standards for dinner will probably skyrocket… I know mine have. I don’t even remember what we ate when I worked until 7 as a lawyer, but I can tell you we now eat healthy, fresh meals almost every night. And that takes up time. Of course I only have one kid… maybe once I have two I’ll be back to scrambling around. Good luck and enjoy!
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