WAHM Adventures & Struggles

I think I am extremely lucky in my work situation just now. I have the luxury of working from home as a lawyer for an employer I like and am familiar with, while also taking care of B. I also get to teach online in the evenings and learn more myself through that process. In short, I am very lucky and privileged to be in this situation and hope that it continues.

The downside is days like Monday. None of us had gotten much sleep and instead of handing B off to a sane, well-rested care-giver and heading off to my serene (ok, that might be a bit of an overstatement) office B and I were stuck together cranky and all. We went to the Doctor who determined that he is perfectly fine with no real reason to stay up nearly all night. He did get some new ecezma medicine and by the time the Doctor visiting ordeal and the insurance/CVS prescription filing fun we were both ready to give in. He had lunch and went to sleep and then I had to work. This would be where I would take a nap as a traditional Stay-at-home-mom (in my dream world at least), but as a work-at-home mom I just have to keep going. It is tough and tricky and yet I wouldn't give it up. However, things have a way of working themselves out and B decided to sleep until 9:30am the next day (a first!) so I did get my extra sleep and my work done too.

Today's challenge was similar to last week's. I am starting back to the gym in a slightly more focused way as I'm way out of shape (Again). So we joined the Y and today I took B to their child care center and dropped him off with Nate & Allie while Jessie and I headed off to exercise. Nate was of course great with everything as usual. (Yes, I'm envious, but know B is perfect for me and really a reflecting our traits in his struggle with new and different). As you might guess, B apparently cried most of the time I was gone and was quite a sad boy when I came to get him. Jessie & I were gone less than an hour and a half total, but that can be tough in a new environment. I had hoped having his buddy Nate there would help, but he still struggles with it.

Jessie thinks I need to work on my drop off technique and I'm sure there is truth to that. I think I am just used to it being short and sweet as with the old day care but forget that this is very new and B doesn't really do well with new so far. We'll keep trying as I think it is probably good for both of us, but it was so heart-breaking to see his red-teary eyes as he calls out mama when I walk in the door.

This is the inverse trick of WAHM life. In the above I was looking for space, but at the same time I want to be with him a lot and soak up the little boy goodness. Therefore, I'm doubly sad when he is crying about our little separations as I miss him too and don't want to put him through that pain. Nonetheless, there are things I need to do for me or our family that sometimes require some separation so the search for balance continues.

I also have to balance work and my need to be creative as I would like to be scrapbooking in the evenings, but so often need to be working. I think I just need to commit a specific time to creative fun and just do it then regardless of the other demands in my life. In the final analysis, WAHM is a great place for me, but does require continuing adjustment on all fronts and I think we'll all get better at it with time.

On a lighter fun note, I just bought this fun new scrapbooking kit that is for making your baby's first year album. It is reversible so usable whether you are having a boy or girl. I'm tempted to buy more as presents, but waiting to see it in person. It kooks like a great quick way to get an album you'll love creating with the limited time many moms face. I like that I can buy it now for a future child without needing to know the gender. Anyway, makes me happy so I thought I'd share. Have a great day!