Attached Mamas Working Outside the HomeDo you face the unique challenges of balancing your career with your children? Come on in and talk with other moms who find ways to make their situation work for the whole family.
I really enjoy working. I find that I can never figure out a perfect balance between home and work, but I'm thinking that there isn't a perfect balance, there is just the best combo one can get. But, I love working and I do not regret doing it at all.
You?
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Rebecca, wife and mother
This is me. More me than any picture I can remember. Me. Free, comfortable, with my camera.
Photo by my sister at my cousin's wedding in Portland.
I am... well, I am worn out. My job is very demanding (though less than it used to be) and I am just done "proving" to myself that I can do it all, honestly. But so far I am the only "reliable income source" in the family
But hey, things have a tendency to change, right?
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Irina,
Mom to Matt 08/87 Valerie 07/00
Location: "the stars are matter, we're matter, but it doesn't matter."
Posts: 3,001
I like working and like what I do, but I dream of going down to part-time. Somewhere around 25 hours a week would be ideal.
I think the balance is never "perfect" if you compare yourself to others who are either SAHMs or have a career and no kids. I don't think a mother can ever truly persue a career in the same way that someone without children can.
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Dawn,
mama to Maxine Day(8/01) and brand new Ivan Wolfgang(6/08), partner to Jason.
I've been WOH since May, and I think we are finally settling into a routine and the kids are learning to accept it as normal. I like my job, and I just got a raise yesterday, WOOHOO. My hours are normally 20-25 a week, which is perfect.
I do feel sad I miss out on taking ds to school in the am, but I am able to pick him up.
I too struggle with balance. I've learned to let a LOT of stuff go in the last few months. Cleaning being the biggest.
When I get home from work, Mandy and I get a couple of hours to ourselves, and I use that time to just hang with her. Then, we pick up Ely.
For now, it's working. And, I'm bring home a stable amount of money, and that is helping us a lot.
I would like to work about 20 hours a week, right now I work 40 average. I own my own business so I can take off if I need to, but then the business makes less $ to pay the bills & my salary. I love my clients, and I'm generally happy while I'm at work, I just have a lot of days where I just want to stay home!! I know I don't spend enough time with my dd, but all I can do is try to change that, and I am.
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Rock climbing man and Counsining!!
We're still I guess in the adjustment period. I've been working about a month now. I work Monday, Tuesday and Friday nights generally - about 9-11 hours a week. But last week one of the girls had car trouble and I went in Thursday night too. And we trade off Saturdays once a month - since we were closed Monday for labor day I picked up last saturday so ended up doing tuesday, thursday, friday , saturday - seemed like a lot of hours tho it was in reality like 16 or so.
I really love my job. I get paid to encourage other women in their health, fitness and weightloss journey. I get paid to work out too (half an hour of my shift I'm allowed to do the circuit myself). The only part of the job I don't like is that I close - which means I lock myself in and am alone in the place for 20 minutes or so while I vaccuum. Then I call dh on the cell while I set the alarm and walk out to the van.
The hardest part for us I guess is that I'm not here for dinner 3 nights a week and dinner at the table is an integral part of our daily life as a family. They're dealing with it. That and on Monday nights I dont' get home til 8:30 or so and so I walk in and we have to get them right to bed since they both have school Tuesday.
Dh is being amazing about all of it. He's making sure the house is picked up after dinner, the kids are ready for bed when I get home etc.
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~Barb
Mama to 18yo Chelsey, 8yo Zoey & 5yo Roman
*Cat girl & Cat boy 8/19/08*
Finding Balance is my weakness. Though I had problems with that when I was a SAHM. lol
I don't mind WOH but I am bored with my job. I don't hate it at all. I actually do like working with patients but it's the same thing day in and day out. I don't get to use my brain much and that is killing me but it pays the bills.
I do hope to one day be SAHM agian but more in a WAHM type capacity.
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Michelle
Wife to one Mama to four.
I have to admit I don't love what I do anymore. Teaching is fine, and I've enjoyed it for years, but my heart is pulled in other directions now. I don't hate teaching either, I'm just not on fire about it anymore.
I wish I worked in some cool alterna mom's morning out 4 mornings a week or something like that. I want more time at home to take care of our lives, instead of other people's
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Laura, mama to Abel, age 9!
~my 2 favorite boys~
~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~
I have to admit I don't love what I do anymore. Teaching is fine, and I've enjoyed it for years, but my heart is pulled in other directions now. I don't hate teaching either, I'm just not on fire about it anymore.
I wish I worked in some cool alterna mom's morning out 4 mornings a week or something like that. I want more time at home to take care of our lives, instead of other people's
Oh, this is so how I feel (only about spa work) you said it so well.
I love my job as a technical computer analyst - dept head. It is so kewl. I am paid very well and telecommute. I have a lot of responsibility and work (virtually) with great people. I am also a work-aholic. This job encourages that trait. So, it is hard for me to keep to normal working hours - but after 3.5 years of doing this, I am MUCH better.
There are days when I would prefer to be doing other things - like running long distance more, renovating my house, etc. If I didn't need the money, I'd be a sahm and homeschool my kids. But since I have to work, I feel pretty lucky to like my job as much as I do!
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Jeni - wife to a great guy and mama to 3 at home plus one adult child who is expecting Feb -09!
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