PooGrin | Work at home mom blog – WAHM blog

Opportunity knocks – and runs the other way when the baby answers the door

Posted on 19. Nov, 2009 by Deb Plunkett in The balancing act

What does it mean to be a work-at-home-mom? It means you will constantly struggle with not giving anyone or anything the full amount of attention you truly want to give it. It means you will stay up late at night catching up on the work you didn’t get done while you were entertaining your toddler at the park. It means you will take multi-tasking to a level you never thought possible and at the same time, carry around guilt about it. On the flip side, it also means you will be there for the big milestones, the giggles and the grins, the bumps and bruises, too.

You can try to be superwoman, but truthfully, you just might not be the force you once were when it comes to your career… because sometimes you won’t even get the chance.

For the first time since mounting this huge mommy/working-girl horse I jumped onto, I truly believe I lost an opportunity simply because I am a mom. Not just a mom, but a mom who chose to stay at home with her kid AND work. But you know what, I’m okay with that. There are sacrifices I knew I would have to make when I chose this life.

I have to admit that I don’t freely disclose the fact that I have a small child (or the fact that I work at home) when first introduced to a potential new client – particularly if they’re men. I’m just never sure how it’s going to be received, so until it’s necessary to share, I simply avoid the subject.  Once in a while, a prospect will just flat out ask.  Then, of course, I’m completely honest. Much of the time, I am pleasantly surprised at how supportive and understanding people are; occasionally, they’re even filled with admiration at how I make it work.  Sometimes, though, they think it’s going to mean I can’t possibly do a good job for them.

Hey, if someone is going to have an issue with me having a kid and a life that may at times come before my work, then I’m probably not the best choice for them anyway. There are days when I miss being fully involved in my work and many, many days when I feel like I used to be so much better at my job B.C. (before Chloe); or, I question whether I made the right choice, if this really is the juggling act I signed up for.

But then I take a break from my work and see my baby’s smiling face and feel her little arms wrapped tightly around me and suddenly it’s all worth it… missed opportunities and all.

Tags: balance, working