AnchorMommy

How to be a WAHM in 5 easy steps

April 12, 2010 by Shannon

Don’t let anyone fool you. The job of a WAHM, or work-at-home mom, is a tough one. I think you’d be hard pressed to find any other office situation where a worker has to retreat to a bedroom closet to “hide” to make a professional phone call. And yet, that is the life of a WAHM.

That’s my life. At least sometimes, anyway. My job fluctuates a great deal more than your average 40-hour-a-week occupation, in that the writing assignments aren’t always flowing in. But for me, that’s okay. Would I like to make more money at home? Sure. But I’d also like to do what I set out to do when I left my career: spend more of my time with my son.

That said, there are weeks where professional deadlines are tight. And those are almost always the weeks where there’s some sort of personal deadlines too – a family birthday or get-together, an out-of-town trip, etc. It’s like the Murphy’s Law of WAHM-hood. Just when you get bored with the routine, a whole mountain of “to do’s” fall right squarely into your lap. So I’ve developed a few habits that help me manage the ebb and flow of my work-at-home life, and I’d like to share them with you:

1. Even though your husband makes fun of you endlessly, you must have multiple tabs open in your web browser at all times. You need to be able to check the weather report before a morning playground visit, type “bananas” into your shopping list because you will undoubtedly forget to buy them if they’re not on the list, read a news report about yet another recalled children’s product you just know is buried somewhere in your child’s toy chest, and respond to emails from your editor, a potential new client, your best friend and your child’s preschool teacher – all within a span of 6.2 minutes.
2. Promise that your child will get “a surprise” if he goes to sleep during the magical mommy work hour known as Quiet Time. You must also have the fortitude to withhold said surprise from the child, otherwise he will have no incentive to actually sleep and you will get nothing done until bedtime. Note: You do not have to have any idea what that surprise will be when you promise it. I’ve been known to pass off last minute plans to visit a restaurant for dinner as my child’s reward. But I also have a stash of chocolate chips I can dip into if an acceptable surprise doesn’t materialize of its own accord.
3. Make some plans for part-time childcare, so you KNOW you’ll be free to get at least some work accomplished. My son is in preschool two mornings a week. This leaves me free to schedule work-related phone calls, interviews, appointments, etc. during those times. Most of the time, I use those precious few hours for a little blog writing and a quick workout, but when there’s work to be done, I know that’s when I’ll get it done.
4. Forget the traditional desktop computer – get yourself a laptop. My laptop is invaluable. I can take it to meetings to jot down notes and to record interviews. I also love the ability to take it outside on the patio to respond to emails while my son is playing in the backyard.
5. Use social media. I repeat, use social media. This is true whether you work at home or not. You will need some kind of connection to the world outside your home. Someone should share in your delight at a successful day of potty training, or commiserate in the frustration of stepping on a Lego – AGAIN – and nearly breaking your ankle. You know, important stuff like that. Oh yeah, and then there’s the whole “market yourself and stay connected to the professional world” benefit, but let’s face it – posting stuff about potty training and Lego injuries is more fun.

So there you have it. Five ways to make WAHM-hood a little easier. Are they all possible for every WAHM? No, but putting even one or two tips into practice might make things go more smoothly. After all, work-at-home moms can’t hide in the bedroom closet all the time.