all those hours are paying off!!
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| Mon, 12-13-2004 - 7:55am |
here is my work situation: I am a work from home mom with a two year who is extremely active (show me a 2 year old who isnt!). I work as a bookeeper for a local company. Well, recently I had gone back to full time hours, which is tough with no babysitter. I basically work during her naps, at night when she is sleeping, early in the morning when she is sleeping and when her daddy is home.well, now I have also added weekends in the office. Another employee quit, so I am pickin up his slack. And that brings me to about 5o hours a week!! I do like the fact though that most of my hours are spent at home with my daughter. Anyway it is defintly helping out in the debt dept and we have not spent any of our budget money on christmas, my overtime has paid for everything!!
And then this week, my computer died. I was so upset because a moajority of my work is done on there, and guess what?? my boss gave me a brand new, state of the art laptop!! yay!!!! And it's mine for personal use as well!!! what a reward! I love it, now I can take it with me in the evening(when hubby gets home) to the library to work in peace, or even better, a nice coffee shop! I know that sounds corny to be excited about a laptop, but when most of your work is done with a toddler sitting on your lap, a little alone time is nice!!
kel

That's great! I'm so happy for you. What a treat!
cheers!
slojuly
Jenny
Kel,
I want you to know that you're my hero. :) I worked full-time for a bit as a mom, but my husband was out of work and stayed home all day watching our son (who was not yet a year old). When he went back to work, I simply wasn't able to keep it up. I don't know how you do it!!
I did work part-time at nights for months to get us caught back up on our bills, and it stunk! I work a little bit of freelance now, and I tell you what, I understand your joy over the laptop!! I just bought one (for $60 from a friend), and it is a lifesaver--I can write while my boys play in the back yard, I can take it to a coffee shop (although I avoid those now because I realized how much they were costing me, when I can make an awesome cup of coffee with the right tools--acquired at yard sales--and some qood quality coffee--purchased through a restaurant supply store for pennies--for pennies on the dollar--and then I take my coffee with me to the library in a covered cup, and it's almost just as good, lol). Anyway, I would be overjoyed too. I'm still so happy about mine. And it's nice to know they appreciate what you're doing, and that they support your endeavor to be home for your children.
I just wanted you to know that I really admire what you are doing. I know so many people who have tried to do what you are doing and have given up, because it's HARD. They either end up hiring someone to watch the kids, put them in daycare, or quit work altogether (which is what I did). Any of those options are valid (I don't want to make anyone mad!), but to keep plugging and taking the hard road like you are takes guts, determination, and lots of hard work. I DO wish more employers would give women that option, too.
Anyway, I also enjoy reading many of your other posts, and just wanted you to know that you are appreciated. I'm sure your little girl appreciates you too. :)
Blessings,
Heather
Wow, Heather, thanks. You just made me tear up a little bit.. because you know what? it is hard. Damn hard. I have to get up hours before my daughter wakes up and stay up hours after she goes to bed. I have to take every opportunity during the day to sneak in some work (when she is eating lunch, I am filing. If she is watching a video, I am on the computer.) Thank goodness I have been doing this since she was born, we have a real routine now. Mornings are a ritual. I get up before her, when she wakes she comes in the living room and sets up shop on the couch with her blankie and bear and watches sesame street. That gives me time to finish up what I am doing and get her breakfast. She also occasionally comes to the office with me and she "helps" which basically means coloring or plugging away at my calculator. I think it shows her that mommy is trying all she can to better our lives. She is also pretty independent and patient.
The worst part is the fact that I don't know how long it has been since I had a whole day off, but I guess that's motherhood in a nutshell. It will all pay off in the long run, I hope.
Anyway, thanks so much for what you said, that means so much to me. Sometimes you feel invisible when you work from home. I feel like people think I sit in front of the boob tube all day or something. My housework may suffer for it, but I do work!!! thanks again!