The Life of a Mom

It's been a while since I had time to really blog.  Between kids, sewing, and life, I haven't spent much more than 20 min a day on the computer in the last two weeks. My fabulous husband is home for a bit, so we've been enjoying some much needed family time.  Today I posted on my fanpage that I needed a topic to blog about.  The overwhelming response through comments, emails, and messages was how I balanced my full plate.

So many moms ask me daily "how do you do it?!"--three kids under 4, a full time business, and a husband that works out of town or long hours.  My simple reply is "coffee"!  My tiger babe wakes up between 5 and 5:30 every single morning, without fail.  As long as I get my one cup mug of coffee every morning, I'm easy going about life.  I pity whoever is around me though on the days I don't have caffeine in my system!

The not so simple answer? It's just a constant juggling and balancing act.  Over the last year, I've stopped doing the bulk of my work during the day.  I simply cannot be a productive worker and a good mom at the same time.  Sure, I'll answer emails and phone calls and putter around on the light work during the day while they're napping.  But the majority of my sewing and computer work happen during bedtime hours.  Come 8 pm, my machines come out, the fabric gets dyed, and the laptop goes into high gear.

My kids like to be kids. We go out most mornings for a playdate or class or just some goof off time and errands, come home for lunch and naps, then head to the park or have some quiet painting time, crafts, baking, or movies in the afternoons.  There would be no way I could do that if I hadn't stopped doing work during the day.

As for my husband, he's been a great support through this whole adventure! We got married, had kids, and started the company, all knowing that there would be times he would have to work out of town.  It's nothing new to us, just a way of life.  Babywearing and attachment style parenting have greatly helped me manage the psuedo-single parenting life.  I also have a fantastic support system of friends and family who I can turn to at anytime for advice, help, or just a day of fun with our kids.  I have some serious respect for single parents!  I atleast get a few days break every few weeks!

There are weeks where I am way ahead with work, but those are the weeks where you will see my housework suffer.  My laundry will go a couple weeks days without being folded and the rooms are not their tidiest.  Then there are weeks where my house looks pretty good, but my work has suffered from the time spent elsewhere.

Like every other mom out there, it's just how things get done.  I love my kids and my husband, I love my family and friends, I love my job, and I love how we've chosen to make it all work together :o)

Happy Babywearing!

~Erin~