Being a Working Stay-At-Home Mom is Tough
Before having my first child, I worked a 9-5 job, and built my photography business, and an essential oils business. My husband wanted me to stay home so we made a plan where I could still contribute, do what I love, and be with my children. I didn’t think it would be this hard.
From August 2017 to February 2018 I worked in an office setting every day. I was contracted for six months to create a foundation for a business here in town. I really enjoyed being out of the house and working. I got to have dialogue with other adults, be around others all the time, and my kids were taken care of with a nanny. Coming back home again and being a working SAHM in February has been a hard transition.
Three Things Working Stay-At-Home Moms Struggle With:
- Having and Maintaining Friendships: I realize I am so busy and focused on getting things done, and I don’t always think about getting together with other friends.
- Combating Loneliness: Sometimes being around your kids and not interacting with other adults can get lonely! I can sit and edit or put on classes for my essential oil groups on Facebook, but I am alone in my office.
- Balancing Work Time and Kid Time: It is so hard. I feel like I sit at the computer and answer an email and I am there for three hours. One thing leads to another that leads to another. Then I feel guilty that my kids have been playing on their own and some of that time on their tablets.
Three Things You Can Do to Help Your Working Stay-At-Home Mom Friend:
- Give Her Grace. Understand that she is trying to raise children and work from home to provide for her family. Don’t ghost her.
- Initiate Play Dates. Yes, you might have to ask over and over, but keep asking and don’t fear her saying no. Working SAHMs need to get out of the house, but don’t always think about it. If you let them know ahead of time, they can probably work it into their schedule.
- Ask How You Can Help. If you have the energy and time, ask how you can help her. Maybe you take the kids for an hour so she can answer and reply to all emails. It can take hours to reply to a few emails because they are constantly stopping and getting snacks or breaking up fights.
Whether you are a working mom, stay-at-home mom, or a working stay-at-home mom, we all need support and need to help each other out, and mostly give grace. You are all doing an amazing job.
The opinions expressed in this post are those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of ABQ Mom, its executive team, other contributors to the site, its sponsors or partners, or any organizations the aforementioned might be affiliated with.
