My little one has heard me say “Mommy’s swamped” so often that it’s become his catchphrase, even when I’m just scrolling through social media. While I’m often glued to my phone for work, he knows it’s serious business when the laptop makes an appearance.
I truly feel guilty when I have to pull out the “Mommy’s swamped” line because I’m on a deadline. He didn’t choose this chaotic life, but he’s also the reason I hustle so hard to work from home—whether that’s at the park, the library, or our cozy living room. Being there to raise him has always been my top priority.
As a single mom, my situation is a bit complicated, but I realized I had options. I started my journey as a babysitter, which I still do. Bringing him along meant I wasn’t exactly working from home, but I considered myself a work-from-home mom nonetheless. My reasoning? I wanted to be present for him, and let’s be honest—childcare costs an arm and a leg.
The steep expense of childcare was what initially pushed me to dive into the world of remote work. When my son was born, his father and I were still together, but he worked long hours. I quickly discovered that my paycheck would mostly go towards hiring someone to care for my son, which felt like throwing money down the drain. So, I explored work-from-home opportunities and was pleasantly surprised to find writing jobs online. I had always thought freelance writing was out of my reach, but it opened doors I never knew existed.
As a babysitter, I had a strict schedule to keep, which didn’t allow much room for spontaneity or fun outings like playground trips or visits to the children’s museum. Now, thanks to my freelance work, I can be more present for him, and our schedule is a lot less hectic. My smartphone became my lifeline, allowing me to jot down ideas or even draft articles while we enjoyed our time together. It was liberating for both of us.
However, there are moments when I need to zero in on my work, and that’s when things get tricky. When I’m racing against the clock to finish an article or tackle a hefty research task, I sometimes have to get a bit creative. I’m not ashamed to admit that I’ll hand him a tablet or switch on a cartoon for a little peace and quiet.
He does spend a chunk of the day playing independently, and I try to sneak off to write, but he always seems to track me down, demanding playtime with trains or songs that divert my focus back to him. For toddlers, attention is everything. While he sometimes grasps that “Mommy’s busy” means I’m working, most of the time, he doesn’t care and will go to great lengths to pull me back into his world.
The biggest hurdle for me as a work-from-home mom is managing time. The work/life balance is challenging for any parent, but working from home adds a layer that can feel downright impossible. It often feels like there aren’t enough hours in the day. Sometimes, I have to prioritize work over his needs since the bills won’t pay themselves, and I can’t exactly meet my deadlines from the playground.
One day, when the sun was shining, my friend suggested I take my son to the park. I wanted to, but I was knee-deep in a project with a looming deadline. “Can’t you write later?” she asked. I had to explain, “My editor doesn’t care if it’s sunny outside.”
I often find myself typing away during nap times or burning the midnight oil when he’s finally asleep (or when I manage to coax him into winding down) while guzzling Cherry Coke and munching on snacks to stay awake.
It’s definitely not a walk in the park, and it’s not for everyone, but I’m immensely grateful for this opportunity. I cherish the days spent with my son, the memories we create, and the laughter we share. In a few years, when he’s older and busy with friends, I’ll reminisce about our adventures and the times we tackled life together. I’ll never regret those late-night writing sessions or the moments I had to say “Mommy’s swamped.” The tradeoff is absolutely worth it.
For more insights, check out this engaging piece on intracervicalinsemination.com, and if you’re interested in the details of home insemination, visit makeamom.com for expert advice. Additionally, the NIH’s resources on pregnancy and home insemination are invaluable.
Summary:
In this candid reflection, Janelle Carter shares her experiences as a work-from-home mom navigating the challenges of juggling a career and raising her son. From the guilt of saying “Mommy’s swamped” to the joys of being present for her child, she highlights the complexities of single motherhood and the creative solutions she employs to maintain balance.