Being a work-at-home mom has proven to be the hardest, yet most rewarding thing I have ever taken on. Some days are harder than others, but in the time that I have been doing this I have learned a few key things that help me stay a happy momma, for the most part :)
1. Embrace the chaos.
I used to be a perfectionist. Well I still am, but it's different. Being a mom of two under two it can be hard to get stuff done. If I manage to actually get it done it's most likely not going to be how I was picturing it. I have learned that's ok.It's really freeing actually. It feels good to not get freaked out by things that I would have been all bent out of shape for in the past.
2. Put on real pants.
There are plenty of days that I don't have time to change out of the clothes I slept in. It happens more than I'd like to admit. But the days that I feel most accomplished are days that I take a second to put on real pants. Even if I didn't get a chance to shower before the kids woke up, it feels good to have on real clothes. I know it's silly, but I swear it helps.
3. Ask for help.
It wasn't until I had Sophie that I realized the importance of asking for help. When it was just Noah, I basically refused to ask for help. I don't really know why. I can't explain it. I just was not an option in my mind.
But then comes miss Sophie. I am taking care of a baby and a toddler. I am SO TIRED. It still took my mom asking me if I needed help to admit that I did. But she took the kids for the night. And I got to sleep. IT WAS AMAZING. Maybe it was because my brain had enough sleep to actually function properly, but I realized that I needed help. And it was ok for me to need help and ask for it.
There are days that I just can't get work done unless I have help. I have learned to embrace the awesome family members that I have around me that are available and willing to help when I need them.
4. Go on adventures.
Get out of the house! It's important for everyone's sanity. Days go so much better when Noah and I get out of the house and run off some energy. Let me rephrase that. When Noah runs off energy and I watch him. Hahaha! :) It can be going to the park, or the zoo, or just going out to my grandparents land to just run around, its necessary.
5. Making a schedule (sort of)
Creating a schedule does not mean that we are going to come anywhere near following it. Blame it on the list maker in me, but something feels good about having a list of guidelines to try to mold my day around. There are days that we disregard the list completely, but it still feels good knowing that I have a goal for each day.
6. Activities.
If I have to get work done while Noah is awake, activities are a necessity. I put him in his highchair and pull out the box. I have a collection of things for him to work on or play with that are specifically for activity time. The activities vary from coloring books, to blocks, to different sensory and sorting activities. Having this basked of goodies makes it possible to get work done when necessary. Its pretty great!
This work-at-home momma thing can be rough. There are some days that I feel totally defeated. And there have been days that my husband comes home and I burst into tears. Those days are few and far between, but they don't even begin to compare to the other days. I am beyond blessed to be able to stay at home with my mini crazies. I wouldn't trade it for the world. Hopefully this little bit of information will be helpful to another momma thats works at home. Or it may just give you a little insight into how I attempt to stay sane on the daily :) xo, Britt
