Have I mentioned before that I am trying to run a business with no daycare? Yup – and let me tell you – it’s not easy. Over the past year I have managed pretty well (except for being tired all the time). My oldest son is in school for a couple of hours a day and my youngest son slept throughout the day and was a dream baby.
Now I have a toddler. He is 15 months old and is into everything. My once calm baby is now a holy terror. He runs around screaming, just waiting for the moment the washroom door has been left open so that he can plunge his hands into the toilet bowl. He also loves the garbage. He is sweet, gross baby. We love him but boy does he have a temper. Just try and take away that banana peel he found in the trash – he will scream and flail like a drama queen.
I honestly thought he would be a calm, quiet toddler. Not so much . Now I have to make sure he doesn’t smash the keyboard as try and type. Now I have to watch him like a hawk to make sure he isn’t trying to swan dive off the couch that he has figured out how to climb.
So where does this leave my business plans? I basically have 1.5 hours a day when I can get stuff done – which generally means leaving making dinner and anything else until when my husband is home.
I don’t feel like I am doing anything really well and I am frustrated.
My goal is to be the primary person raising our children – for now. So given that this is my goal I have decided not to put the kids into daycare. This leaves me feeling slightly helpless – but now I have an idea.
I can hire the 16 year old girl across the street who already babysits for me. She can come after school to help me out so that I don’t lose my mind. So that’s what I have done. She starts Wednesday. I can’t wait. I’ll let you know how it is working out.
I have a mother’s helper come two days a week and she is a lifesaver! I was reluctant to admit that I “need help”, but I was also tired of feeling like I could never get it all done… those five hours a week that she comes allow me to get SO much done, it’s incredible. Plus my children love her, and I don’t feel guilty for ignoring them to do housework and catch up on my small business tasks. She sometimes does small tasks for me as well, usually small things that I have a hard time making time for, like organizing the tupperware cupboard and throwing out orphaned containers and lids, or reorganizing my craft supplies. Sometimes she helps my school aged children with their homework, or helps them clean out their school bags… I keep little jobs like that in mind and save them up for the days she comes.
Having someone come in a few hours a week has lifted a huge burden from me, it was a great decision for our family.
I can TOTALLY relate, Leigh!!! Your younger son sounds a LOT like Julia. The only reason I’m online now is because she’s at Christina’s (whom I can use on an as-needed basis 🙂
Julia HATES when I’m on the computer. She even says “NO COMPUTER MOMMY!!!!” and then she sits on my lap and pushes the keyboard into the desk (it is on a slider) making it impossible for me to type.
Like you, I want to be the primary person raising my child, though I also struggle with working from home issues. I am constantly torn between wanting to get more done on my business and wondering if I should be spending that time with Julia instead.
Sometimes my mom will come over to babysit, but Julia is so attached to me it’s still hard to get anything done.
Hopefully, the mother’s helper will work out for you!
I worked all day today, but I STILL have so much more to do. I WILL get you that article at some point too. Funny thing is, I actually need Julia around for that so I can take good and bad photos of her!
That is awesome Leigh! I can so relate to the 15 month old boy running around and getting into everything. Our boys must be twins! Good for you though! I’m glad you’re able to do this!
woooooo can I relate! Except in the end I had too much work and had to put my son in daycare. It’s a curse and a huge blessing to be busy as a self-employed mom… you need the work to pay bills, but want to spend as much time as possible with family. Before we decided on daycare, I also felt like I was doing none of my roles well. When I was working, I was feeling guilty about ignoring my son, when I was taking care of him, I was worried about getting my work done on time. I stayed up too late to finish work, and at the time my son didn’t sleep through the night, so I was constantly cranky, sleepy, and feeling worried or guilty!! Ugh.
A mother’s helper would have been great, but I still need more than that. We found a great DCP provider that has the same parenting beliefs, and he’s there from 8am to 3:30pm, which works really well for us. I get all my work done by 2pm-ish, then run my errands and prep dinner. Once I pick him up from daycare, I’m all his from 3:30 to bedtime. It’s worked really well for us, and I feel like I’m spending good quality time with him.
I hope your mother’s helper gets you the same kind of balance!!