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Updated perspective...
I spoke with a lady yesterday who is a single mother of a 12-year-old son. This lady only has 2 days off per week. The other days she goes in to work at the restauraunt from 4pm on weekdays and 11am on weekends - she stays until closing time every night, which is around midnight. I mean, she has no life. Her son is headed for all sorts of trouble because she has no time with him, therefore no real control over what he does when she's not around. I don't know any more details. I just felt the need to share this sad story with you.
posted by
bettyboop1967
on August 8, 2005 at 9:32 PM
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Thanks Mcbreeze,
I like the flexibility that comes with being able to get those odd, but necessary jobs that need doing for the family. Hope you find a way to work at home. Thanks for sharing. I appreciate it.
posted by
word.smith
on August 7, 2005 at 6:04 PM
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Thanks Wiley....
I realize that staying focused must be so hard when you work from home and will be one of the important points in the article I'll write. I managed to write during my leave, however, I got most of it done when my son was at summer school. I have to admire the moms and dad who do their jobs from a home office. Thanks for sharing.
posted by
word.smith
on August 7, 2005 at 6:02 PM
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Thanks Mspickles....
posted by
word.smith
on August 7, 2005 at 5:59 PM
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Thanks TF, it's always interesting to
find out what parenting looks like from the father's side since so many dads are missing during the day and only make an appearance at night.
posted by
word.smith
on August 7, 2005 at 5:58 PM
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Thanks Cass,
I will definitely be emailing. On another note, not many men can manage to hold down the fort. It sure isn't as easy as it looks.
posted by
word.smith
on August 7, 2005 at 5:57 PM
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my ideal job
is to work back at home again, i was home until all three of mine were full-time at school then i juggled my wrk round school hours to be there when they came home, now i work at our family office which is the grand-parents home so if kids on hols they come with me, but i only work there 3 days per week so i have w/ends a mon and wens at home, and i find it more relaxing being at home and being able to do any odd n sods u might need doin which if you were out at work u wld then have to wait til ur end of day which by then u`d prob b exhausted after bein sat in traffic, so i`d get further behind a normal smoothe runnin house hold. I am currently lookin for a home-based job to do those 3 days i do at our office instead, as i am thoroughly bored of that job Construction industry just isn`t my thing, so as soon as right one comes along i will b home FULL TIME!!! can`t wait i guess also a bit like retirement in a working way lol.
posted by
mcbreeze
on August 7, 2005 at 10:38 AM
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word.smith
Alrighty luv, I'm a work-at-home-dad but they've all left now, years ago, and I find it tough working at home alone and keeping focussed.
Maybe that's why I'm still on Blogit. It makes me disciplined to write, to be responsible for caring about others, to join in something even at a distance.
Ahhh, and to make wonderful friends like your own good self. 
posted by
WileyJohn
on August 7, 2005 at 10:31 AM
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not a mother but thought I'd cruise by and see what commens
were being left for you. Good luck with the new article.
posted by
littlemspickles
on August 7, 2005 at 12:13 AM
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I have a shop at my house. I'm in and out all day long. My girl doesn't have the slightest idea what a 9 to 5 job is. She always has the ability to make money by cleaning up my shop (which isn't high on her list of things to do unless she wants to buy something.) Sometimes, she does come and work...I have to pay attention to her then which slows me up. She understands work. She see's me work. When Mom does something which she doesn't agree with....she comes and comlpains to me which I have to listen to and slows me up. I'm always on site and a part of her life. I wouldn't have it any other way.
posted by
ThomasFranklin
on August 6, 2005 at 11:45 PM
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I stayed at home with my boys until the youngest was 5 and at kindergarten, then I went back to work. My then husband and the boy's father was going to stay home instead. That lasted a whole week before he got sick of it and got a job! So then began the whole juggling routine that has never really ended. I've worked for others and also been self-employed working from home. If you need anything just email and I will answer. Good luck!
posted by
Ca88andra
on August 6, 2005 at 9:48 PM
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Okay, thanks. I will.
posted by
word.smith
on August 6, 2005 at 5:47 PM
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word... I've done it both, stay at home mom to 6 kids
and working mother with three... I could give you both perspectives. Just email me and we'll dish.
posted by
RedHeadedGypsy
on August 6, 2005 at 3:46 PM
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Thanks Betty....
Raising kids and working is a pretty challenging juggling act. Most of us never get to spend as much time with our kids as we want to, but they seem to turn out okay. I've had a few episodes myself when I didn't know how I was going to manage my son and his school workshop days, but I've been very lucky where that is concerned. I have home-help, which helps tremendously, but there have been a few times when things got a little bit dicey. Thanks for sharing.
posted by
word.smith
on August 6, 2005 at 2:27 PM
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I've always hated being away from my children...
Except when they drive me crazy... My son is 21 (still living at home - don't know for how long), and my daughter is 15. I was lucky to stay at home for a short time about the time my daughter was 2. At that time, I tried an in-home daycare service. I'll never do THAT again. If I could do it all again, I'd find a man to support me so I could have missed out on less time with the kids. I have been fortunate to make the most of my time with them. Having said this, I will be leaving for work in about an hour. At least I worry less now that they are older. I believe I will worry just as much when they move out on their own. My daughter only has two more years of high school, then she's off to college - away from home
. Working and being a mom has always been a juggling act. It has been difficult to find jobs that understand when you have to leave to pick up your child because the school has a half-day and no bus service, for example. That sucks. Again, I have been lucky. I was always able to manage to be there for them without losing my job. Of course, for many years I have been singing for a living. My main concern then was having someone with the kids while I was out at night since I'm a single mom. In the more recent years, my son took responsibility for his sister since he is no longer a 'kid'. Well, I've blabbed long enough. I just wanted to give you a look into my world.
posted by
bettyboop1967
on August 6, 2005 at 12:35 PM
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