Stay home, stay happy!
Categories: Bump watch
As an at-home mom who struggles to find that balance between my passion for my family and a passionate pursuit of my other interests, I am always chatting with other women in similar situations so I can learn from them.
I was recently interviewed for a feature on Celebritybabyblog.com. As it turned out, I'd actually met the the journalist who came to my house to photograph and interview me nine years earlier.
Back then, I was vying for a co-host position on ABC's "The View" and Jennifer Parris interviewed me for Seventeen Magazine. It was great fun catching up with her and comparing notes on motherhood and everything else that had changed in our lives since we had last met.
Like so many mothers these days, Jennifer has found a creative way to pursue her profession while being primarily based at home with her two kids. Most interesting to me was how the photography aspect of her job evolved to reflect her new found fascination with babies and motherhood. She is an accomplished journalist who has also become well known in her field for her photographs of pregnant celebrities ("I love bellies!," she explained). Funny how one's life influences one's art.
Thanks to the Internet and other technological advancements, a large part of her work can be accomplished from home. When she does travel, she has a wonderful and supportive husband (a crucial component!) who can pick up the slack in her absence. She's a lucky woman!
Of course, it's not always possible for moms to make these types of arrangements and when they do, it's still not easy. An at-home mom who also tries to engage her passions and interests, even on a limited basis, can mean long days and nights (i.e. writing when everyone else is in bed) and plenty of other professional, financial, and personal sacrifices.
Nonetheless, a growing number of dynamic women are making the choice to be home-based in order to spend more time with their kids. It is a decision that is fraught with challenges, but as those of us attempting it can attest, it also promises and delivers immeasurable rewards.
If you are an at-home mom who is pursuing her passion, help other moms by sharing your story and wisdom with our readers. Don't be shy (or modest!) ...
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
kopp0042 4-08-2008 @ 12:18PM
I am a stay at home mom who works evenings and every other weekend evenings as an ER Nurse. I have 2 yr old twin boys that I am at home with during the week. I also am a BeautiControl Consultant on the side to bring in extra cash. I feel busy and often strapped for time, with many sleepless nights, but I enjoy watching my boys grow up and laughing with them during the day. But it is hard work and I had to make many sacrifices to make it work! In the end, I'm positive it will be worth it!
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carlabirnberg 4-08-2008 @ 12:30PM
Im a stay at home writermama and have to echo kopp0042.
Im up at 4 working before she's up (she's a toddler no-napper to boot. never napped) and the minutes she's asleep Im backtowork until my Renaissance Man gets home.
Im also woman enough to admit for me it's a daily struggle to BE PRESENT with her.
To not be in my SAHM role during the day with the backdrop of looming deadlines in my mind.
I promised myself Id NEVER say "not now! Im busy" when her little hand pats the space next to her and invites me into her world------so far Ive been able to keep that promise.
it's a daily struggle I wouldnt trade for anything.
Carla
http://www.MizFitOnline.com
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KimberlyW 4-08-2008 @ 12:37PM
Love your post, as always, Rachel. We are blessed to live in a time when it's easier for women to work from home! I quit working when my oldest was six-months old. She's now nine, and has two sisters. It has not always been easy, but I wouldn't trade my time with them for anything in the world! I've been blessed to find companies that allow me to work from home (those jobs are getting easier to find these day!), and I recently started a blog. Some of my work-at-home tips are there: http://callingsandcupcakes.com/?cat=13. Like you say, Rachel, it often means working when everyone else is asleep! But that 'sacrifice' pales in comparison to the joy of being able to attend my girls' class parties, take them to the beach and the park whenever the mood strikes, and hug them when they're hurt! God bless all you Moms out there!
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Lisa 4-08-2008 @ 3:14PM
I found your blog from celebritybabyblog.com and was so excited to read your work. I've been a fan since the Real World days and although I'm not a mom, I work with children and have printed a few of your entries to share with parents. Thank you!
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Jennifer 4-09-2008 @ 12:28AM
I don't work outside the home. But I was wondering how you schedule food shopping, clothes shopping and any other kind of errands. For me, I either have to wait until we are at our house in the suburbs (its safer) and food shop late at night after everyone goes to bed but then I'm out super late! Or go out on a saturday afternoon which bothers my husband because he misses me and says I'm out too long. Food shopping takes 1-2 hours and clothes shopping takes time to find the sizes, and style and something on sale of course. I know this isn't the topic of this post, but I wanted to ask your advice on how you schedule the necessary food shopping and other things (haircut, dentist, etc.)
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Natasha 4-09-2008 @ 5:06AM
Hi
I'm an At Home mother in the UK and by freelancing as self-employed I am working on one small contract for a previous employer thanks to maintaining an amicable relationship with them since I told them I was not returning after maternity leave. My supportive husband can use paid and unpaid leave to be the At Home father on the days I can't work at home and otherwise I have to be disciplined to do desk work in the evenings. I have also just completed a musical concert following rehearsals every Thursday evening and lead quite a busy life with an without the kids. Every Friday is a special night for my husband and I and we have great routines in place thanks to www.flylady.net - I know this sounds like a plug but Marla Cilley the Flylady has been an enabler in me pursuing all of my dreams without neglecting my responsibilities & I thank God for her!
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Carrie 4-09-2008 @ 10:00AM
"Jennifer has found a creative way to pursue her profession while being primarily based at home with her two kids"
That's awesome for Jennifer, and kudos to the other commenting moms who are still earning money while at home with the kids. They've probably read The Feminine Mistake. Many of us who are devoted wives and mothers find ourselves single - and economic dependency is dangerous.
:-)
http://www.carrielauth.com/blog
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Jaci 4-09-2008 @ 2:17PM
We have four kids, and my husband works full time & I work part-time for an employer I worked for prior to having my second child (from home, 5 hrs. per week but just enough to keep my resume 'active).
To be able to pursue my outside interests (running/triathlons) with such a hectic home/work schedule, the key has been a very understanding partnership with my husband.
Each weekday morning (early shift!), he's on 'kid duty' before work allowing me to squeeze in a run or trip to the gym. He gets them up, fed & ready for school. He knows I need this time for my sanity, since I'm on my own with the kids while he's at work (8am to 9 pm or later). On Saturday mornings, he takes all the kiddos to swim class at the local Y, allowing me a long chunk of time for a training run.
It's a great opportunity for him to have time with the kids, since he works such long days. And it's nice for me as it gives me a sense of balance, plus I think it's important for the kids to see me pursuing something I love & a healthy lifestyle.
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Jen Henry 4-09-2008 @ 10:35PM
I would love to stay home with my kids, but am a working professional mom at the moment. My husband works professionally as well. It seems that most of the jobs mentioned above have all been freelancing, or journalist style positions.
I'm wondering though how the average person who has a degree, or two, or three living in a rural area can manage these opportunities? Who wants a freelancing library science and education major with a degree in administration?
Jen
http://furoreandfrenzy.com
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Jen Henry 4-10-2008 @ 8:06AM
I should add..I'm not trying to sound really negative...I would love it if people could point me in the right direction. I'd trade up a cubicle and my salary if I could make a comparable amount from home.
Melinda 4-10-2008 @ 2:15PM
First off regarding Rachel, I was so happy to see her on a real world update that she is married and happy with all of those beautiful children. I always loved the San Francisco cast the best out of all the real world shows. Enough of that sucking up!! Well regarding the children discussion, I am a full time working mom with three children. I always find that working makes me sane. I truly respect all women that are able to stay at home with their children, it is a great gift. I did it for two years with my first children when they were born, and it was great. I was always busy no sitting eating bon bon's as society thinks women do. So much to do when there are little one's around. I know that working for me in the dental field I thrive and love what I do. I have a wonderful husband who helps me more then most husbands that I hear about. He is always there for me and that is a great and wonderful help. Bonus is that I am still madly in love with him (the magic is still there!!). If I could work part-time I would love it. There is always the topic of cone which makes most of us working women have to do what we do. I have an excellent support system I have my mother in law who watches my 19 mo old son. My older children are in an excellent after school program, so I have all of the bases covered. But there is that one part of me that wishes I could be at home more with the kids. I want them to remember fondly their childhoods that their mom was there. I hope that they will!!! And not just the fact that I bought that one game they wanted or that pizza I got because I was too tired to make dinner my self. Just makes it all a little hard in the end. But I know I am doing the best that I can, and I know in the end we will all make it!!
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Lauren 4-11-2008 @ 4:04AM
I'm currently becoming a certified yoga teacher in order to allow me to make my own schedule and therefore be at home for my daughter. I find that in the health industry there are lots of opportunities for SAHM's to gain income, maintain a flexible schedule, and follow their passion (if that passion includes something like massage therapy, nutrition, yoga, fitness, etc...)!
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