You Decided to Be a WAHM, Now What?
Copyright © 2003, All Rights Reserved

You always wanted to be a work at home mother. You probably discussed it with your partner and made a strict budget to allow you to do so. If you are a single mother, you may have analyzed this and planned it with greater detail. You even fantasized how wonderful it would be, but there are a few things you may not have considered in the desperate desire to tell your boss you’ve gone on permanent vacation.

After the initial few weeks, the newness and excitement will wear off, as it does in most things in life. You’ll settle into a new lifestyle. The only problem with the new lifestyle may be that you have no routine! I know what you are thinking. Schedules are meant to be broken. Children don’t always cooperate, especially when you have more than one. While this is quite true to a degree, there are a few simple things you could do daily to setup a routine that you and the children can adjust to. You have to remember, this is new to them as well. Someone else has been in charge of your child(ren) while you’ve been away from home working in the past.

First, be realistic. Make a list of things you must accomplish on a daily basis. Get with the childcare provider you were using and find out what schedule the child(ren) followed there. Try to keep with the schedule the child(ren) are already accustomed as closely as possible as far as naptimes and meals. Plan your most crucial tasks at naptimes. Turn the ringer on the phone off temporarily (unless the task is making phone calls) to avoid distractions or waking sleeping angels. Tasks that can be accomplished with the children should try to be done around the same time each day. This helps the child feel comfortable and know what to expect from day to day and eventually you will have less resistance and more cooperation. If there is something the child can do to help, include him or her! This keeps them busy, entertained and gives them a sense of importance. It also gives you one less thing to worry about. Obviously, don’t give the child something that requires perfection. I like to have my 8 year old son put return address labels on envelopes for me.

You’ll also encounter problems outside of the home that don’t involve the children. Your friends and family may be excited that you are home or think that since you are, you have time to do errands and things that they don’t have enough time for. You will need to be firm, but gentle, and remind them that you are still responsible for bringing home a paycheck and that you have your own obligations to meet. Don’t fall into the mentality that so many have, "I work for myself so I can do whatever I want, whenever I want". That is destructive thinking and will be your downfall. The truth is, working from home takes more discipline and dedication than your full time away from home job did. You will find that something you expected to take an hour will realistically take 2-3 times longer. If you don’t respect your business and treat it as a business, then don’t expect friends and family to either. It may take them awhile, but they will realize you are right and will show you respect and consideration in the future.

We’ll continue more on this subject in the next article, "Respecting Your Business". For now, take one day at a time with the simple tips mentioned above.

About the Author:
Michele Barber is the owner of www.ChelesTreasures.com and Conversations With Chele, WAHM, a newsletter for work at home moms with support and resources needed to survive the work at home rat race. Subscribe here:
http://www.chelestreasures.com/newsletter.htm

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