Work at Home Mom
It has been 2 months since I started working (freelancing) from home. It has worked well and I am loving every minute of it.
Working at Home allows me to be flexible with my time and daily activities, as long as I meet my freelancing deadline. I am free to decide whether I want to put off work until later just because the weather is too nice to spend my time inside the house. I am free to get away from the 4-walls of my home office and, with my laptop in tow, work from Starbucks. Did I tell you that I am loving every minute of it?
It has also given me the chance to finally spend more time with my sons. I can now attend my 3-year old's kindergarten programs which are normally scheduled at 4pm. I am now free to say 'yes' to my son's request to spend the day at the playground. Did I tell you that I am loving every minute of it?
Working from home also means that I can now afford to stay up and work during my most productive hours — 10pm to 3am. Which also means that I can also now nap during the noon whilst my 3-month old is sleeping. Did I tell you that I am loving every minute of it?
Don't get me wrong. I have not been playing hooky the whole time. I have been meeting my deadlines despite the freedom which I have been enjoying. Self-Discipline plays a major role. Yes, I procrastinate but only when I can afford it. Yes, I spend more time with my family but that does not mean that I am not putting in hours for work.
My transition from "working mom" to "work at home mom" was easy. I just hope that I could say the same when it is finally time to go back to the 9-5 daily grind. I'd probably be hurting when that happens.
But for now, I am enjoying every minute of it. Oh yea… I told you already.
November 3rd, 2006 at 10:21 pm
Hi, Melissa: I noticed your blog about being a SAHM. Being a former teacher, who is now staying at home, I commend you for spending time with your little one and also spending time “playing hooky” – AKA “taking time to smell the roses.” I was fortunate enough, 20 years ago, to work at home and raise my children. Back then, nobody worked at home, and I was a pioneer. Unfortunately, my little business couldn’t sustain itself (it was in the-then male-dominated printing field), and I had to return to a 40 hour a week job outside of the home. At any rate, please don’t feel guilty at all spending the quality time that you are spending with your children. As a teacher, I saw “poor little rich kids” who had all the clothes and toys, but couldn’t get a minute of attention from a stressed, chronically busy, road warrior parent. Would welcome the opportunity to continue a dialog with you. Keep up your good work.