SOME days, being a Work at Home Mum (WAHM) and Stay At Home Mum (SAHM) leaves you tearing your hair out (usually the grey hairs if you’re rather skilful). You’ve heard it before, but it really is the hardest job in the world. Sitting at an office desk is child’s play.
With Baby Holly battling a cold, there’s no such thing as sick leave. The boss is unlikely to give you a pay rise. And it’s hard not to be distracted by the crumbs on the kitchen floor when you’re either meant to be making that business call, blogging or feeding a hungry mouth. And that coffee break? What coffee break?
However, there are some real advantages too:
- The incessant ringing of telephones is no longer. Unless your four-year-old constantly has this conversation with herself using a shoe: “Brrp, brrp, Hello? Nan? Yes, yes, I know. I’ll be right over. Polly put the kettle on and we’ll have a Milo. Oh Nan, you’re so funny. Bye.’’
- You don’t have to endure the workmate who eats their lunch at their desk and makes loud chewing noises. Eewww. Although, it is replaced with li’l princesses who spill their food ALL. OVER. THE. FLOOR.
- Gone are the rumour mills. You know that workmate who wants to start a rumour about everything and everyone. And, when you’re not in earshot, most likely you. (By the way, I did not sleep with the boss. Well, the old boss, anyway.)
- Not being told what to do all the time. Mind you, I do have one person in my ear constantly asking: “Mum, can you get me something to eat? I’m hungry’’. “Mum, can you play Snap with me?’’ “Mum, can you make me a pina colada with one of those little umbrellas and ice?’’ OK, so maybe not that last one. If I had stayed on at my workplace, my boss would now be my hubby. So I’m not escaping the boss regardless of where I “work’’.
- There is no longer a commute to and from work every day. Not to mention the cost of parking. All I do now is reverse myself into a chair. Or the couch. With a laptop atop my lap (hmm, think I’ve been reading too much Dr Seuss).
- You don’t have to work back late. Note the words “have to”. OK, so I’m the first to admit I sit up every night blogging or doing my PR biz. However, the kids have been bathed, fed and had bedtime books and songs. Hubby is busy watching An Idiot Abroad, so what else is a gal to do?
- Most importantly, you don’t have to put up with other people peeing on the toilet seat or not flushing properly. Sorry, but it had to be said.
Are you a WAHM or SAHM? What do you miss (or not miss) about working outside of the home?
there are certainly the advantages! However I often find that time “away” is a blessing in so many ways. I appreciate being able to go and come back when I need to to see families and clients.
But the flexibility to me is the one thing that stands out! When they do have a cold, sick or just need a little extra tlc, we can be there
Hope your little angel recovers soon and you are feeling well xx
Flexibility, for sure, Tahlia. I do miss that adult conversation and just getting out of the house, but when you have a little one sick you want nothing more than to be at home with them. x
I didn’t mind the commute – I took the train and it was my time to read books. Except half of the time I got so deeply into it that I missed my station. But dressing up in the morning was a real challenge for me.
I think that’s what I would most love about public transport, Tat. That opportunity to read or do something for “me”. Unfortunately, public transport isn’t quite the same in Tassie! 🙂
Oh Your lucky… I still battle the pee on the seat!! (boys)…lol
Now there’s an advantage to having girls! LOL! 😉
Having just returned to work outside of the home, I’d have to say I miss being the total boss of my own time….well, almost total, bar the “mummy” requests. What I don’t like about work……where do I begin…..I must say, having to do things that I feel don’t really matter in the big scheme of life. I guess I’ve become more precious about my time as a mum of two. It’s been a strange transition but it’s only week 3.
Oh, I feel for you, Veronica. I remember those first few weeks going back to work after Ella turned one. I found it quite tough, but funny how you slip back into a routine pretty quickly. But your comment about “doing things that don’t really matter in the big scheme of life” really resonates! Hope things get easier for you. x
There are soooo many things I don’t miss. Never getting anything done, because people would ring me with the most stupid questions, or drop by my desk because it was, after all, in the middle of a corridor. Sitting in meetings, where the Marketing Manager takes 1/2 hour to tell a long standing supplier that we’re dropping a product that has NEVER sold in the past 8 years. Like he didn’t know we were going to! Feeling like a bad employee AND a bad mummy because I couldn’t be in two places at once. Mind you, I do miss the coffee machine, big marketing budgets and the regular income 🙁
Oh, it all balances out, doesn’t it, Cath. I think the constant ringing of the phone – and spending half the day answering other people’s phones – is a big thing for me. I get so much more achieved now without constant phone interruptions. Although, some days I sit here and WISH it would ring. LOL! x
I so miss having me time – even when I was working I still had lunch break to myself!
And I miss adult conversations! And the pee on the seat..with all boys I get it all of the time, with the lines “it wasn’t me” !!
When we stay in Carvan Parks I dont have to clean the toilets..that is one bonus 🙂
Oh yes, I miss lunch breaks, Lisa. I remember those fondly…
And I’m starting to see the real advantage to having girls now with the comments about boys peeing on seats! 🙂