NETWORKING WAHM

When I was young, I dreamt of being a mom.  I thought I would stay at home with my kids and everything would be wonderful.  Well, the former didn’t quite work out but the latter still did.

I worked full time in software after graduating from college.  When it was time for kids, I knew that financially we needed me to have some income so the stay at home full time thing wouldn’t really work.  So we brainstormed what I could do.

My mom had a home based business as a real estate appraiser.  Although only 40 minutes away, it was in the next state.  I decided to get my appraiser license and work with her.  I took courses online and passed my test and worked as her apprentice.  My dad would watch my son while mom and I did inspections and worked.  The plan was too eventually use the state reciprocity so I could be licensed in my own state and work for myself.

Then it was time for another kid.  What we realized was that with 2 kids, it was going to be a lot more difficult to run an appraisal business of my own.  I would not have granddaddy-daycare anymore and would be spending a lot of time for inspections and reports and would have to figure out what to do with the kids.  And the biggest concern?  I was expending a lot of effort but not making nearly what I did in software.

So we brainstormed more.  I approached my former company with a proposal.  I would come back 20 hours a week, working only one day in the office.  They jumped at that.  I was really happy because it made me feel important to them.

At first I tried working hours in the afternoon after my husband got home and then going in for a full day on Fridays.  That worked for a while but we really needed some childcare help so that I could work during normal hours.  So we used a nanny for a few hours a few days a week.  She would watch the kids while I worked at home.  Eventually I stopped going into the office and worked all my hours at home.

We also used au pairs for a few years so I could work more hours while still being able to have lunch with the kids and take breaks to see them throughout the day.  Having an au pair provided a lot of flexibility for a very reasonable cost.  It really worked well for us.

Now that both kids are in elementary school, I can work from home during the school day.  I get to see them in the morning to get them on the bus and in the afternoon as soon as they get home.  It is a great balance for me.

So after trying a few things, I found what works for me.  It may not always be easy.  Sick kids, teacher workdays, and summer vacation are all challenges.  But my husband and I work together to make it work.

I encourage all working moms to figure out what makes the right balance for them.  Whether it is working full time in an office, part time telecommuting, home based business … there is something for all of us.  It may take a few tries to find it but you will and it will be wonderful.  – Denise

Denise blogs at According to Denise (www.accordingtodenise.com) and tweets at @acctodenise.
A self-described “chick getting through” she’s a mom, wife, step-mom, programmer,
migraine-sufferer and wannabe runner.  She balances all this with humor,
emotional meltdowns, chocolate, coffee and then blogs all about it.

One Response to “Somehow It All Works Out”