7 Tips for Staying Sane as a Work at Home Mom
While many people think that being a work at home mom is easier than working out of the house (and in some ways, it is), what they don`t realize is that a work at home mom`s sanity is at risk 24/7. Trying to cram two jobs, motherhood and career, into one time slot just isn`t very conducive to having a clear head.
Don`t get me wrong, being a wahm is very rewarding and if you plan it right, you can even enjoy the hustle and bustle of working with your kids right there.
1. Don`t Take On Too Much
Let`s face it, it`s really, really tempting to just say “yes” whenever work comes your way. Bad idea. I`m speaking from experience here. In December, I had a couple of decent-sized projects lined up that would have been perfect for the time frame. But did I stick to just those? Nope. I took on a TON of other assignments in the same month and ended up working on Christmas Day. Talk about insanity.
Know your limits, budget your time and make sure you don`t say yes to everything. But, keep in mind that you don`t have to say no either . . . ask a client if they would mind rescheduling for later in the month if you are booked now. If they like your work, they`ll probably say yes.
2. Raise Your Prices
This sounds insane, doesn`t it? Especially in this time of economic issues. But think about it, it`s quite logical. If you have a good client base and are getting too many clients . . . it`s time to raise your rates. This helps you in a few different ways:
- You`ll have less demands for your time
- You`ll earn more for less time worked
- You will feel less stressed
- Your value goes up, attracting more clients
Amazingly, people are willing to pay more for quality work. So, try raising your prices and you`ll find that you can breathe easier . . . not to mention you`ll have no more excuses for feeling like you`re being taken advantage of! Ask for what you`re worth.
3. Divide Your Time
It`s easy to get caught up in working on your business and lose track of time. What you need is a way to ensure that you don`t work too long. Dividing your time up can be done in few ways.
Use a timer. Set it for 15-30 min. and alternate between work and house or kids.
Stick to a schedule. For many women, having a set work schedule helps them stay focused on one thing at a time.
Alternate days. Choose days when you`ll work and days to take off. Most work at home moms find that taking a couple of weekdays off helps since spouses can watch the kids on the weekend.
4. Get Enough Sleep
Lack of sleep can make for a very grumpy mom. You`ve probably noticed that sleep deprivation doesn`t just affect your kids, it can turn any normal mother into an emotional, grumpy mess.
If you have kids that don`t sleep through the night yet, it`s going to be pretty tough to get a good night`s sleep, so you might want to look into a nap. Otherwise, be careful not to stay up too late. Having a computer shut-off time can help with this.
5. Read a Book
Or watch a movie, go for a walk, whatever floats your boat. The idea here is to do something to just relax and enjoy on your own. It`s a good way to keep those crazy, hectic days from affecting you too much.
What`s your own personal relaxation method? I like to read, but when books in English are scarce, I often play computer games. A waste of time, maybe, but it certainly serves it`s purpose of calming me down! Find something that relaxes you and make sure you have time to do it from time to time, it will do wonders for your mental health.
6. Have Some Fun With the Kids
There are days (ok, weeks even) when it seems like all I do is get after my kids. “Stop hitting your brother, don`t touch that, stay out of there, what did I just say?” I have a sneaking hunch I`m not alone.
When you`re constantly upset with your children, it`s hard on both of you. You`ll be frustrated at what seems like constant misbehavior and they are frustrated that you won`t pay attention and won`t let them do anything.
The solution? Take those mischievious little rascals and head to the playground. Or the zoo. Anywhere that you don`t really have to worry if they are rowdy and loud and touching things. And then just have some fun with your children. Play frisbee or kick a ball around, challenge each other to races or see who can hang from the monkey bars the longest. At the end of the day, you`ll all feel so much better and you`ll be able to get back to work feeling that you CAN be a fun mom, too, not just a grumpy one.
7. Plan Everything On Paper
Yeah, we have computers and Blackberries galore these days, but there`s something about writing your plans down on plain old paper that really makes it real. Having a wall calendar can be a good way to make sure you aren`t overscheduling everything.
Some women find it easier to work with a dayplanner, or even a plain notebook where they can scribble everything down as it comes up. Basically, being able to lay out all your plans and schedules for the week or month will let you see at a glance if there are any conflicts.
Being a work at home mom can get pretty nuts at times, but these 7 tips should help you conserve your sanity!
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