“A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove . . . but the world may be different . . . because I was important in the life of a child.”

~ Forest E. Whitcraft

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Work at Home Moms

I know a good number of women who work at home by doing freelance writing. Whether we are supplementing income from spouses' jobs or from our own 9-5 jobs, whether we are making a full time wage from our writing, or whether we are struggling just to make ends meet, it's a job that lets us be here for our kids.

Working at home can be tough, too. Having to say no to the kids when they want to play or to watch a movie, monopolizing the computer when they want it. Early wake up times, and staying up late into the night trying to meet deadlines.

Writing is not a glamorous job, but usually it's worth it. I say usually, because every now & again someone will criticize us for working too hard. Only they'll say, "You're always online. You should take the kids to the park," or, "Why do you post so many links? You're spamming us! You spend too much time on Facebook." How frustrating! What if someone told these people they spent too much time at the office?

My friend published an article that speaks to these people who would try to tell us how to live and how to care for our children. I'd like to share an excerpt with you here:
And it doesn't help when thoughtless people say stupid things like 'take a break from the computer', 'remember to make time for your kids', 'enjoy these times now because they don't last' or some other such saccharine platitude. Easy for them to say. They aren't the ones trying to juggle a schedule and lifestyle that would make a saint tremble. Wouldn't you just love to take a break more often? Wouldn't you just love to say 'money be damned, today I shall play'? Unfortunately those same little dears that we moms are advised to 'make more time for' need shoes, food, dental care, transportation, school supplies, medicine, the list goes on. And short of prostitution or dealing drugs, it's difficult to make enough money to survive without spending a good deal of time and energy doing so.
~ "WAHM Guilt Issues: Why Can't You Play with Us, Mommy?" by Marilisa Kinney Sachteleben
I encourage you to read the rest of Marilisa's article and to look at her other work too. Aside from ranting about people who don't seem to understand what it means to write for a living or to work from home, Marilisa also has a background in education. She has written some very informative pieces that would be helpful for both parents and teachers.