Hello fellow mothers!
I receive frequent e-mails from websites like Similac or Planning
Family often. Not everything they say is something you can take to the
bank, but I enjoy weeding through and finding the tips I can use! I read
this today, and it made me think of my fellow mommies tripping over
baby toys (and loving it!), though I know most of you had this figured
out a long time ago, or at least are way ahead of me (I'm writing to my
own mom too)! Hope you can find a meager 5 minutes for yourself and have
a good read! (BTW, I copied this right from planningfamily.com.) Here we go...
There are no doubts about it; all mothers work. Whether they choose to escape to a brick and mortar office free from the dangers
of Lego towers and Barbie shoes on the living room floor (and complete with other ADULTS) or not…all moms work. The difference is simply where. But for those of us who try to make a living while making a life for our children from the confines of a home (that constantly needs to be cleaned), there are certain obstacles. Being a work at home, stay at home mom isn’t always the perfect example of living on the side of the fence where the grass is always greener.
I have to admit that there are in fact many days when I envy those working moms who get to wear high heels, pantyhose (okay maybe not the pantyhose), and decent clothes, who can experience lunch breaks that are much more fulfilling than cutting someone else’s peanut butter and jelly sandwich in half. Not to mention that they can finish a sentence or a thought without being interrupted!
While I am no expert, I do have a few tips that can help us work at home - stay at home moms – hold onto fragments of our sanity! Since I know you are in a hurry – I will list them numerically.
1. Get dressed EVERY day. Walking around in pajamas and stained sweatshirts without a bra every day is for college students, drug addicts, and the sick. Sure, every once in a while it is nice to stay in your comfy clothes, and the fact that you can – well that’s a bonus. But that doesn’t mean you should do this as a habit. Throw on a pair of jeans, take a shower, put on a little make-up, and comb your hair! You will feel better about yourself, and it will help you to retain your personal self-respect. I am not implying you should get dressed up full glitz – but at least dressed and ready to meet the day. If I have learned anything from TLC's What
not to Wear, it is that your appearance does make a difference in how you feel about yourself! Plus, it shows the kids that you respect yourself enough to take time out for you every day.
2. Don’t do something for someone else immediately upon rising in the morning. Likely, from the time your feet hit the floor in the morning – you are working in one mode or another until the time you go to bed. Make sure that you wake up to something you enjoy. It can be as simple as a cup of coffee or tea, a walk, doing the crossword, or taking a shower in peace. Think about meditating, journaling, or doing a little yoga. If you get up and immediately start fixing others breakfast, doing laundry, or checking your emails – you are setting the mental stage for a frantic day. Trust me, even if you have to get up with the roosters – a little me time in the A.M. can make a huge difference in the course of your day.
2. Don’t do something for someone else immediately upon rising in the morning. Likely, from the time your feet hit the floor in the morning – you are working in one mode or another until the time you go to bed. Make sure that you wake up to something you enjoy. It can be as simple as a cup of coffee or tea, a walk, doing the crossword, or taking a shower in peace. Think about meditating, journaling, or doing a little yoga. If you get up and immediately start fixing others breakfast, doing laundry, or checking your emails – you are setting the mental stage for a frantic day. Trust me, even if you have to get up with the roosters – a little me time in the A.M. can make a huge difference in the course of your day.
3. Don’t apologize for your kids. If you are on the phone with a client or find that you have to take them with you to conduct business, don’t feel reduced to apologizing should they ‘misbehave.’ They are kids! You should be respected as a professional and a mother, and quite frankly, if people cannot ‘deal’ with your circumstances – they might not be the client for you. The fact that you can and do handle both worlds says a lot about your adeptness, and you shouldn’t feel pressure to apologize.
4. Set boundaries. Firsthand, I know how many times a day I have to tell my children that I am ‘working!’ So, I am not away from the home like Daddy and I don’t wear a ‘uniform,’ but I am working nonetheless. Children of all ages need to learn some independence and, most importantly, respect what you do! Set limits with them, and instead of getting up and down 600 times to meet the needs of your toddler, be clear and firm. Say, “I am going to work for an hour. I am putting this movie (Sorry, but TV really can be a good short-term babysitter) on for you to watch and you will need to sit here, eat your breakfast, and watch it. Do you need
anything else before I start?” Don’t worry, you will only feel guilty for a few minutes – and your child will learn that even mom has to be responsible! More than that though – this will make you productive rather than counter-productive, which means you will make the most of your time. Also, don’t be afraid to tell your mom, mother in law, or long winded friends – that you will not be able to answer the phone (or the door) during 9-11am because you have to work. Set limits!
5. Last but not least, get out of the house. No matter how much you love your home – the walls can start closing in when you spend too much time there. You don’t want your life to feel more like a prison. Many work at home stay at home moms actually become hermits held captive by their home. Eventually, it may feel awkward for you to leave at all. So, get out – get some fresh air and enjoy the freedom that comes with making your own schedule!
