Trying to do everything right and still feeling like I'm not getting anywhere!

[Lori]

I've been so frustrated trying to work this week. It seems like every day there is an appointment for someone in the family... today is a conference with my oldest sons teachers... Always something to break up the day.

Then when I do get a chance to sit down and tackle the mounting work I have -- my 8month old is SO cranky!

I'm literally often sitting one-handed typing with her fussing away.

Oh -- and 4 year old is finally sick with what we all had last week.

I think I need to stir things up a little... I think the kids are sick and tired of me working... I need to spend more time with them. At the same time, I have GOT to work or we don't pay the bills.

I'm going to get some new art supplies for Jack. He's home all day and most likely gets bored, although he's so good. That really makes me feel guilty.

Jasmine... what to do about her? She's the neediest baby I've ever had -- and I'm a Mom of 4. I thought this would be a cinch with her -- but not so. She wants nothing to do with any other caregiver.

Deep breaths :) Thanks for listening!

Lori

[Audrey]

Lori,

Do you have a schedule? A true schedule. I'm up every single morning about 4:30 or 4:45 (ok this morning I so overslept, I didn't wake up until 5:09). I get so much work done in those early morning hours. In two hours I can do what might otherwise take 4 hours to complete :)

A sick 4 year old is going to be cranky. Heck, I'm cranky when I'm sick. Can you sleep/lay down on the floor in your office with his blanket or with a sleeping bag?

As for the baby...ok, deep breaths, because in 3 months it will all change again LOL.

We all only have 24 hours each day. I am such an advocate of day planners and schedules. They really help you focus on what you're doing and when.

[Lori]

Thanks Audrey :)

I do and I don't have a schedule... I do get about an hour in early morning. My oldest gets up at 5:30 and I work while he's gettng ready for school. Then it's time for my first grader to get up... and the day starts from there.

I tend to work whenever I can simply because when I schedule it, I still can't control my circumstances.

Thanks for reminding me this is temporary with Jasmine! You're so right I know.

I actually begain Tony Robbin's program - "The Time of Your Life" and then stopped. Duh - huh? I'm going to start that again. It's really a great program.

I think my main frustration right now is feeling like I'm full out all the time, but nothing is getting done perfectly. Not kids, not work and certainly not the house. :(

[Audrey]

Forget the house. It's not going anywhere LOL. Balancing is hard, really really hard.

How many kids are at home during the school day?

[Lori]

Just two... Jasmine and Jack.

My two oldest get home at 3ish.

Ideally I'd love to have all my work done at 3. But it isn't realistic because I manage a customer support department for a client of mine. I really need to be here until at least 5pm.

[Audrey]

I'm a problem solver. Can you "finish your work" by 3 and then between 3pm and 5pm just be "on call"? For the most part you'll probably be able to play a game, watch a movie, do an activity, but you're "on call". Would that work?

[photomom04]

Lori, I don't know what your "work" is. Is it for another company or more like mine. I guess I could "assume" that you are a freelance writer based on the forum? Okay enough rambling.. my point is that you are not alone. I have had to turn around at least 6 times while typing this to look at handstands :rolleyes:

My "work" is all online and I get to make my own schedule. However, like you a schedule just doesn't work for me. There is always something. In fact I was going to write about just this problem earlier this week for my blog.. but guess what? Didn't happen. :dunno:

The first thing to do is take a deep breath. If you are stressing about the kids being sick and the fact that you can't get anything done it will just make the situation worse. Second.. remind yourself that this is why you choose to work from home.. so that you can be there for just these times. When you can see that this is a good situation it will be easier to handle.

Audrey is right.. you will get more done in those "sleeping" hours than you will all the rest of the day put together.. When I am having one of "those" days.. I try to get just a couple of things done to feel like I have "done" something and then let the rest of the day take care of itself.

Once you are calm it will be easier to get the kids settled and you may even be able to find 10 mins of quiet time to work. :pray:

I hope everyone feels better soon!

Connie

[Lori]

I'm a problem solver. Can you "finish your work" by 3 and then between 3pm and 5pm just be "on call"? For the most part you'll probably be able to play a game, watch a movie, do an activity, but you're "on call". Would that work?

I think you're right Audrey. I need to make more of an effort to be sure I'm done with the bulk of my work then.

John and I agreed to start our Tony program again on Sunday and look at our schedule again. I'll update you :)

[Lori]

Hi Connie,

My work is hard to pin down :) I run my own sites, but that stuff always comes second to my clients. I run a customer support department for one client and am the 'go to' person for many aspects of his business. Then I do web design, development and SEO for other clients.

Our entire income is from home. My husband does database type work, but he's also a full time student so he isn't taking on much work unless we really need him too.

I love what you said about remember this is WHY we work from home. :hee: Oh yeah, duh! It's good to remember isn't it?

Jack is feeling somewhat better today. I haven't seen him this sick in awhile - poor guy.

Jasmine is actually sitting in her exersaucer near me right now and NOT in my lap! Wahoo!

Things are looking up for now! :rolleyes:

[Audrey]

Hey Lori,

Glad today was a smile day and not a frustrated day :)

You know, my girls are 16 and 23. I began working at home just a few month after the first one was born. So, while I never had 3 little ones, I've been there done that twice now. When I look back, I wonder sometimes how I did it. The kids dad helped a lot. If I worked two hours in the morning before everyone woke up and another solid two at night while he helped with the kids, wow, did I get a lot done.

I did lots and lots of play dates, 50% at my house and 50% at the friends house. When the kids were at my house, they had a playmate which made tons and tons of difference.

I also know that when I'm angry/frustated it does indeed make the day a bit more challenging.

Hope this weekend is wonderful for you.

[smbwallace]

Lori and the rest of the work at home moms here, give yourselves a great big pat on the back RIGHT NOW!!! You're doing the right thing!!!

:wav:

Being a work at home mom is really a paradox sometimes ... it's very difficult to work with the kids around but that's why we work from home in the first place!

I like the scheduling ideas given here. I'm not much of a stickler for schedules but I do find that writing everything out in my planner (phone calls, appointments, due dates, etc.) really helps me get a grip on things. I'm afraid I'll never be one to get up before the kids to work, though. Oh well. Nobody's perfect.

I also like the idea of having the work day pretty much wrapped up by the time the kids get home from school. That's how I have my days arranged right now. It's working out great. I'm getting ready to have a big wrench thrown in the plans, though. We have another one coming along in about seven weeks!!!! But I'm trying to get my work situated so that I just do what I have to do next month as I prepare for having the baby, and in the month following the baby's birth. The month after that I have some quarterly assignments due but I'll have two great entertainers home with me and the baby all day!

Don't forget to remember you're doing the right thing, work at home moms!!! :hi:

[JSaldan]

Hi Guys,
Lori, you are not the only one who feels overwhelmed. I really do need to make a schedule, although it can be difficult with my home biz. I definately have too much on my plate and I might have to give something up (I really hope it's my out of the home job...soon). Besides my home biz and my part-time job, I am also in charge of two committees for our local Mom's Club...it's getting a bit crazy. I have to keep our playdates, because the kids need to get out of the house. I think I might have to resign one of the committees.

Anyway, I just wanted to let you know not to feel like you're the only one. I forgot who said it, but it is always so important to remember "WHY" we do this. Hang in there.