I\'m Summer, a mouthy, sarcastic bitch. I\'m passionate about natural birth, long term breastfeeding, and living naturally. I curse too much, love tattoos, and will some day be crushed to death by my book collection. I homeschool, dream of gardening, and swing to the left. 
Work From Home Moms?
It’s backwards Works For Me Wednesday and it couldn’t have come too soon for me. I’ve been sitting on a question for a couple weeks now and I hope someone has a good idea to help me out.
I write from home. that’s how I make my money and afford the extra things that Dearest’s paycheck can’t always cover. I have a few writing gigs and various things that pull in enough for me. But I just can’t find the time to actually do the writing. Trey gets up every morning around 6 and will not go back to sleep. Short of duct tape and tranquilizers he just will not sleep past 6 AM. But then both boys don’t go to sleep until 10 or later. I’ve tried cutting back naps and all that seems to do is leave me with a hysterical, screaming toddler from 4 until he finally passes out.
So needless to say, nothing much gets done. I can do some housework while the boys are up. But when I need to write I just cannot find the time. I’m losing sleep and trying to write while they’re up. And I’m failing.
My question is to any work at home moms out there. How do you get it done? What tips and advice do you have for getting it done without neglecting the kids and myself?
[tags]work from home, works for me wednesday[/tags]
I’m lucky enough to have 1 kid in kindergarten in the morning and the other not even mobile yet – well, by the end of the week I know she’ll be crawling. But for me to get things done I will put on a disney movie or do it while they nap – since the nap option isn’t one for you how about you set them up with a craft to do while you write. Or have them play with play dough. Maybe fingerpaint w/Color wonder fingerpaints. Keep them occupied with something that is of interest to them. Good luck!!
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Let me be the first to say that I’m not a mom, so I can’t relate directly to what you’re talking about. But your post sounds so much like what my friend was talking about recently, that I had to comment.
She found a study, somewhere, that said how much sleep 3-year olds should be getting, and realized her son (just turned 3) wasn’t getting nearly enough sleep. Like your son, he would wake up at 6 but not go to bed until at least 10 (or sometimes later, with a 2-3 hour in between).
She and her husband started putting her son down much earlier (around 8pm), and it was tough the first couple nights, but literally very quickly, he seemed to adapt. And, he still takes long naps in the afternoon, and doesn’t get up any earlier in the morning (except for the first few days). Maybe something like that would work for you?
Again, not a mom with any practical experience for you here, but I hope this helps anyway.
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I have five kiddos and can totally relate! I would do your best to set some boundaries. It is completely appropriate and reasonable for there to be some “quiet room time” every day at a set period of time. They don’t have to sleep but they do have to be in their rooms quietly. If they share a room, put one in another area (your room if that’s possible).
Once you have a schedule established, they will understand that it’s Mommy Writing/Quiet Time each day.
Great question!
Duckabush Blog
I agree with Kristi, your kids should be going to be earlier. Sleep begets sleep. When my son goes to bed at 7pm, he naps better the next day. See this site for how much sleep your child needs by age:
http://parentcenter.babycenter.com/0_how-much-sleep-does-your-child-need_64915.pc
Yeah, I’m on the earlier to bed bandwagon, because mom and pops need downtime too. It is really hard to establish that routine but staying patient and calm while ushering them back to bed for two weeks usually the point sinks in. My 7 year old has an 8:30 bedtime and my 12 year old has a 9:30 bedtime. It isn’t written in stone but it is our goal. They both sleep until after 7 am now because they aren’t so sleep deprived. Before it became a sort of mania to be awake every moment mommy was.
Okay, but another thing is to get a laptop and go to your local wifi establishment 2 nights a week. Leave them in dad’s care for a few hours and give yourself a boost, a break and some free time too. Spend 15 minutes emailing and reading a book , then start writing! My two cents.
No matter what, I feel for you. The younger years can be tough.
What about if you plan out some quiet time for your kids (and mommy) each day in addition to the nap? Maybe have them watch a movie or work on a craft and get some writing done in that little bit of time. I know that my nephew will sit and watch a movie without making a peep for up to two hours.
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I actually do put them to bed at 8:30, but they don’t go to sleep till 10. Unless I duct tape them to the bed! LOL
I work whenever I can. My oldest two are in elementary school, and my youngest (2.5) is in preschool twice a week from 9-12. I use that time to work as fast as I possibly can. When she’s home, I alternate cleaning, playing with her, and working so that nothing ever becomes boring or drudge work and so she doesn’t feel like I am neglecting her. It takes me literally ALL day long to get things done, and I work until about 8-9 PM. My house is not perfect by any means, but my kids are usually happy and my contract work is always done. But then again, I’m a little spastic and can’t function unless I have TONS going on – 2 blogs, 2 contract jobs, 3 kids, a home, and a partridge in a pear tree. Set very small goals for yourself and take things one day at a time . . .
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I’m with you – I homeschool my almost 7-year-old and have an 8 month old son – and try to write. Some days it just doesn’t work. *sigh*
For the most part, I try to tackle things during nap time (and just heard son start moving around, actually) while daughter does things with her lessons or just plays or watches a show. Bedtime starts around 8 for both of them and they are in bed by 8:30ish. She is often awake later than that, but is expected to stay in her bed and be quiet. Now that she’s reading on her own I may let her stay up and read; that will depend on how she behaves with it on a trial basis.
As for my son, I’ve found that I have to relocate him if I’m trying to work and he’s awake – so he goes to the playpen where he can roll around and sit and play and be right across from me, to the highchair where he can sit up and play and sit BY me, to his activity center where he can sit/stand and play. Each rotation gives him different toys and different views (of me, the room, sister, the dog, etc).
Some days are at home, for work and chores, and other days (once or twice a week) we run errands or just get OUT of the house. It keeps everyone a little happier, tho I don’t get any writing done. haha
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I fit it in whenever I can. I also work outside the home, and I operate http://www.announcementsgalore.com in my ‘extra’ time, which is VERY limited with a 27 and 11 month old!! I get most work done after they’re in bed (usally by 9) or during nap times, etc. I can sometimes check emails, etc. when they’re in the room but that’s usually the extent of that. My two-year-old is great with a movie or something, but the baby is hard to keep occupied.
Are there playgroups or something you could send them to for a couple hours a week to help you get a little writing time in? I don’t think just a couple hours would be neglecting them and it would probably be good for you!
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Just wanted to stop by and say thanks for your comment on my WFMW post today!
Blessings,
Carol
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