Confessions of a work from home mom

It's that time again. Time to swallow a big dose of guilt, turn on Frozen for my toddler, and log back into work.

Working is the worst, isn't it? But the $6,000 worth of medical bills on my counter from Ketcher's birth need to get paid, right? <sigh>

Five confessions of a work from home mom.

Oh no, it's ringing. NOOOOOOOOO!

I am scared of the phone. I've become so reliant on email that the phone just seems like a nuisance. An email can be referenced again. When I have been awake since 5am with a baby, and get constant interruptions via my toddler, listening just isn't my strong suit any more. If you want me to get something done correctly, write it down. In the event that we do talk on the phone, I get nervous that surely you are going to hear the chaos that is my home office.  A crying baby, a singing toddler, dogs barking, a splash that was surely something being dropped in the toilet, and me just gritting my teeth because I can't interrupt a conference call with "Stop putting things in the damn toilet!!"

Sigh...

I would rather have office drama, than toddler drama. You never have office drama working from home. However, I get plenty of drama when tiny toddler fingers come creeping along the side of my computer just itching to touch those fancy keys. A firm "NO!" is then followed by wailing that a fire station could be proud of.  The wailing is soon followed by a small body flopping, like a fish out of water, on the carpet next to my feet. I panic. Is she having a seizure? Nope just being dramatic.

I don't appreciate the comparison.

I feel incredibly guilty, all the time. You don't need an office to feel guilty.  My babysitter is usually Sesame Street or if I need more than 50 minutes, Frozen or Tangled. I feel guilty for probably causing future learning disorders, because you aren't supposed to sit your kid in front of a TV until they are at least 2. Then when I am playing with my kid, and I hear the ding of my emails coming into my phone, I feel guilty that I am not taking care of business. I continually "should" on myself. I should be working. I should be engaging with the kids. I should be sitting on a beach somewhere sipping a margarita...

No guilt here!

I miss my work lunches and breaks.  There is zero time for myself working from home. Nap time = work. Bed time = work. Weekends = work. Working from home means being logged in whenever I get a spare moment, which is for 1 hour from 1-2pm or after 9pm at night. This can really take my bitchiness to a whole new level. So about that margarita...

At least I don't have to deal with crappy office equipment.

 

I wouldn't change it for anything. It's stressful, chaotic, and exhausting. I am on call as mom and worker 24/7. I spend all day with my kids, which makes me want to scream, but I get to see the baby do a push up on tummy time for the first time, I get to hear the toddler's new words "Oh cool!" and I get to wear my yoga pants all day.  What's not to love?

I love this little guy and his mastery of head holding!

Anyone have anything to add?  Please share it on facebook or in the comments below.