#Working(athome)MOM

My story as a working mom.

I worked for the television industry for 16 years, until now I am still with my network but due to the pandemic and a pending franchise issue, everything was put on hold. Before all this happened, my interest was already caught in engaging in work at home. Primarily because of my extra clingy daughter. My daughter, Tasia, is already 7. Being one intelligent kid she is very observant and would ask about a lot of stuff where I would always be caught wondering where does she get all those questions. Often I'd be asked as to why her classmates are picked up by the moms after school or why do I have to stay out so long, or worst would cry and beg me not to leave. Those are hard parts, but most of the time she would understand my reasons as to I am a working mom. As I spent more time with her, I have shifted my gears into wanting to find that perfect freelancing job so I can stay at home and be a work from home mom. Though it is much of an advantage of working at home, my daughter's adjustment with a lot of things is also crucial and is not easy for both of us always.

Here are a few challenges as a work at home mom.

1. When our children wants to be beside us always.

2. Our children would tend to call us for their needs all the time.

3. Kids won't sleep unless you are beside them.

4. Kids throwing tantrums in the middle of your shift.

5. Working hours spent on kids' demands.

6. Its is hard to balance household chores, demands of family and work.

7. We miss having a 'me time'.

Here are a few tips on how I involve my daughter into my shift as a work from home mom.

1. We can set up a mini office area for our children near our own space. With this they can stay near us if not beside us provided that we follow rules in behaving such as being quiet most specially if we have a scheduled meeting. We can also prepare in advance activities that we can make our kids do while we work such as art stuff or other learning activities, this will take much of their time doing something valuable also. We can work and they can learn other interests at the same time.

2. Right before we enter in the world of working at home, we should have that small talk with our kids explaining to them that we are staying at home but, we still have hours that need to be spent at work. While most of us may work in graveyard shifts or when most our kids are already in dreamland. It is important that they know what we do and involve their needs in our schedule. It will be easier if they understand that when we are working on our shifts, we have tasks to finish, we have a boss waiting for assigned tasks to be done and we have duties as a professional to attend to. Now, smaller kids may not fully understand this, that is again why we need to involve them in our schedule so they will see themselves that we have specific hours dedicated for work.

3. We may seem to be on call, since we are just a 'hey mom' call away from our kids or the whole family at that. If we can only predict everything in advance whatever they would need right? But we can definitely prepare things in advance to minimize the every minute kids call; prepare food to eat for every meal or do a meal plan for the week including snacks (this helps a lot in making sure that all ingredients that we need are available in our pantry and this also minimizes the repeated menu), clothes to wear at day time and for bedtime, art stuff or other activity materials, and do not forget the first aid kit handy for any mini mishaps.

4. Develop a put to bed habit with the little one, this is a big help on how we can put them to sleep fast and without any trouble. With this, we don't miss sending our kids to good sleep and we do not make the routine lengthy.

5. Avoid making the kids call your name more than once. An immediate response will make them feel and know that they still have you even if you are focused with your work. In this manner will avoid trying to put a tantrum just to get your attention. Attending to your kids immediately also makes them feel that they are still your priority no matter what and that they do not have to compete with anything that you do.

6. Set specific schedule for household chores and other errands like paying the bills and running in the grocery. Strictly follow your schedule for the day/ for the week to avoid forgetting important matters in your home. When listing down your things to do in the house, try to involve the other family members to unload your tasks and help you big time, teamwork works not only at work but also in your home.

7. Do not forget your 'me time' in the weekly plan. While it is important to attend to every details that your family needs, it is equally important to a lot time for yourself. It gives recovery and self worth. We should do this so we do not lose ourselves in the process and not burn out.

8. Last on my list is to equip yourself with the skills that you will need with your work at home. Having the right skill set at work promotes quality working hours. And put that good habit and best attitude always so you will always have that renewed energy towards delivering the best results always.

Luckily I found a God sent school to kick off my online journey. I got in Filipino Virtual Assistance Academy and my first course to enroll in is Freelancing. I must say, I am enjoying while I am getting much learning that I would need as I embark on this new adventure. I am quite hesitant to apply, a little cold feet I guess. Last time I applied for a job was 16 years ago.

We have our reasons for venturing into working at home, we must do our best to be the best at it. As for me I aspire to be the best freelancer BUT we must not forget that we are and always will be moms who needs to make the most of our time to always be the best mom.