WAHM - managing baby & work
hi! this is my first post here. I was curious about how other work at home moms manage their kids (specifically VERY active toddlers) and getting work done and dealing with client phone calls) all at once during the day.
I've been trying to manage for the past year or so but it's been getting quite difficult the older my son gets and the more active he gets. he's no longer happy just playing in his playpen, and I am spending more time chasing him around and not working. I'm starting to fall behind with work and am staying up til 3am to get things done (not very good)!
I'm not ready to put my son in daycare yet - considering this summer - but I am considering hiring a babysitter, maybe a high schooler to help out 2 or 3 days a week for 2 or 3 hours a day. anyone know the going rate of a high school age babysitter these days in a moderately sized city?
thanks in advance for any advice or support 
Re: WAHM - managing baby & work
Most people who work at home have child care because it is not really possible to put in a full, 40 hour week at a professional job while also caring for a child.
I think you should consider either daycare or a full time sitter now.
I worked at home this week, with a nanny taking care of my DD, and I still found it impossible to get a lot done. Before having DD I was able to WAH occasionally and still be productive, but I've found being home to be too distracting. Not only do I want to go play with DD, but I feel even more pressure to get other things done like laundry, dinner, etc.
I give you A LOT of credit for making it this long without someone to watch your son while you work. I definitely think hiring a nanny or a babysitter to come to the house is a good idea. I hope you can find a good solution!
This. I don't know an employer in the world who would consider paying someone to work at home if they were also managing a household during that time or an employee (for that matter) who would be comfortable doing both in good conscience.
My baby is two!!! Baby girl 9/17/09
My other baby is still a baby! Baby Boy 11-30-11
I'd definitely look for someone, I cannot imagine working and taking care of a toddler full time.
We pay our sitter $15/hr for both kids, $10/hr for just one.
Thankfully, I am my own employer and I'm the one who has to have it on my conscience when writing my paychecks (ha!). My husband and I own our own businesses. Unfortunately, times are tough, daycare is expensive, and I have a mortgage to pay. My inlaws live far away and my parents both work fulltime, so they can't watch DS.
I didn't anticipate the lack of full or part time childcare at this point, but as I've said before times are tough and we've had to make due as best we possibly can.
Thanks to those of you who offered your advice or support!
My Blog: SIREN.ORG!
It is really tough to do both not only physically but mentally. What about hiring a teenager for a few hours after nap time so you could work through nap time and then a few hours afterward? You just have to really stay focused when you do have care for your LO to maximize the time.
I hate to point this out to you, but it isn't really fair to your LO to try working and managing him at the same time. They really need entertainment, structure and all of your attention. You are actually not utilizing your time management and being as productive as you could be if you're doing both jobs half-as*d. If you get childcare you may find that your business grows and improves because you can give it the proper attention and same for your LO having some sort of entertainment.
It is what it is and in an ideal world you'd have childcare, but that's not the case so here's my advice...
First off, if you want to get more bang for your buck, the younger your babysitter is the better off you'll be. If you're going to be at home consider having a 7th or 8th grader come to your house. They are THRILLED with getting $5 an hour. Since you're going to be there the anyways chances of something happening are pretty much nill.
Also, think about where you are working. Is your computer set up in an office? If so, can you move it to a more central location? When DH needs to work at home he sets up his laptop and everything he needs in the dining room b/c DD plays in the living room the majority of the time. Plus, our house is super toddler-proofed so I don't worry even when we can't see her.
I have a huge editing station that I need to work from (30 inch very expensive monitor, maxed out Mac Pro tower, 8 Terabyte backup system, etc) and DS is not allowed in our home office. He LOVES computers and buttons and will destroy my computer if he is allowed near it. He has to be kept away from computers until he understands they are not toys.
Thanks for the suggestion about using a middle schooler.. I wonder if there are any in my neighborhood - I'll have to ask around.
I'm Jewish so no churches for me - but we do have a synagogue in the neighborhood. I'm going to go with my mom in a couple weeks to check it out and hopefully see about starting him for their summer program. Even having a few mornings a week to myself in SILENCE would be a huge advantage for both DS and myself!
My Blog: SIREN.ORG!
you need childcare.
If I were your boss, I'd insist on it. You cannot work a full day from home with a baby wothout help. It's interfering with your work, so you have to either 1) find a babysitter for the whole day's work or 2) quit your job and SAH.
I agree with PPs. Hire a kid for a few hours after school. You'll be in the house, so the chances of something happening are pretty slim. They could just be in another part of the house playing.
Since your son loves the computer there's a website he can play on. It's www.kneebouncers.com. We actually have a toddler keyboard for her so that she can't push any "important" buttons and it keeps her entertained for a long time. Check it out. It sounds like your DS would love it!
Oh, and if you're going to check out the synagogue that's where you're going to find your jr. high kid for the afternoons. I find my best babysitters come from the girls who help out in the church nursery.
You need a sitter and I would recommend a middle schooler after school. They will love the work, they are cheap and chances are their parents will be thrilled you are home and their kid is working.
It's not fair to expect your toddler to stay in a playpen all day. Perhaps you can shift your schedule so you start at 5:30 or 6 in the morning before he is up and then take a break to wake and feed him then let him nap or play for an hour while you work then take a longer break and take him out to the park or playground or gym and then feed him and put him down for an afternoon nap and work for that time again. Hopefully after that your sitter would come and you could work until 5 and then again after your husband is home or the baby is in bed.
Just log the hours and make sure your productive and working the number of hours you expect each day.
Kudos to you!
I WAH FT and don't have extra child care help. I too am my own boss- and most of my hours are put in at night to accomodate international time zones. However i do need to attend to emails/some conference calls during the day. it does get harder as they get older. I too have a VERY active toddler. It takes a lot of out me trying to get it all done. so i know where you are coming from.
I use a local neighborhood high school who comes over to help out and play with Gisele a couple of hours a week. he is great with her- and a big help to me. you could try maybe posting an ad at the local grocery store or library for a mother's helper. GL!
This. There is absolutely NO way that I could work from home with really either child at home with me. It's not fair to them or your job. Not very professional. I have a 4 and 1 year old. Once my 4 year old starts pre-k in August, he will be coming home a couple hours early - 1x a week and I will pick up my 1 year old too (who will be nearly 2 by then). We don't want to pay for after care. My DH will pick him up 2x a week and take him to his office (he works for himself) for a few hours, my parents will pick him up 2x a week and I will get him 1x.