Jan
2013
WAHM, SAHM, Thank You Ma’am!… Stories of a Sorta Work At Home Mama
My last post brought up a few questions about what line of work I have acquired! Oh, you guys are so cute – ME, with a REAL job?… I’ve mentioned that I ‘work’ here and there on my blog, but I suppose I really haven’t gotten into a full discussion about it.
My husband J is a contractor, self-made* and managed, he has energy that knows no bounds, impulse matched with smarts, and his company has seen so much success in so little time that people see him as a huge competitor in his industry. I mean, we’ve been here about three years, so he’s really made a name for himself in that time. Of course, running your own company requires a lot of hutzpah. Along with a crazy drive, a mind that never seems to rest, and the capability to
They say that behind every successful man is an even more successful woman.
Ladies & Gents, I am that woman. But who I am really? What is my role in this growing company?
I am the company bookkeeper, graphic designer, website creator, social media guru, human resources, payroll, accounts payable & receivable, office manager, secretary, editor, invoice & estimate maker, book bounder, bank depositer, public relations, personal assistant to CEO… Try putting that on a business card with my name on it. And then add “Work-At-Home-Mother” of two. It’s a true balancing act that I never really had a grip on, instead I felt like I was a circus juggler, life throwing more and more balls at me and I didn’t have enough hands to grasp at them.
Is it any wonder I recently suffered a few panic attacks and have been diagnosed with some kind of anxiety to add to my post partum depression?
Right.
So what does my day look like?
In between keeping the baby on a schedule (again, because he’s STILL not sleeping through the night) I try to manage a household and a business, but to be honest, in the past few months both have been slipping. My breaking point involved becoming overwhelmed to the point of tears and deep breathing, a lot of talking and even a trip to the doctor to realise that I can’t do it all, not in my state at the moment, maybe never again. I’ve taken the time to STOP doing everything and reorganize things.
I now have a better grip of my household, which is really a sigh of relief. Laundry and cleaning and cooking and RAISING CHILDREN can be exhausting, running a company along with it is impossible for me to keep a handle on. So this year I’ve stepped back, and I now have the title of “Social Media Guru” – which means that while baby is napping (or even awake!) I can tweet, and facebook, and blog FOR THE COMPANY. It’s a sigh of relief. I mean, I still have my moments and I tell J, “NO, I can’t do this. It’s too much.” And it was okay.
I mean, I’m still going to end up doing some of the CEO’s Personal Assistant work – J calls me numerous times per day to “remind me” to print this, or fill out this form, or sign this, or email him something he forgot – but even he is getting more organized with it all.
So “technically” I’m a “WAHM”. Work At Home Mama. But because I don’t have set office-at-home hours, I think of myself more of a mama who works sometimes!
Any questions?
xo
Fab Brunette
ps. And while I hope this post clears up any questions regarding my job, I realise I’ve brought up certain points about postpartum depression, anxiety, and panic attacks – while I’m still in early recovery I can’t find the words to fully describe and understand what I am going through. I’ve endured PPD before, but never with anxiety or panic, so I’m just working through, slowly, and day by day. Email me if you really want to talk about it! xo
kristin
January 30, 2013 at (139 days ago)As moms we can often get swept away in the many roles that we take on. Please be well and take care of YOU as well!
kristin recently posted..37 Things!
Fab Brunette
February 1, 2013 at (137 days ago)Thank you! That’s what I’m attempting to do
Metropolitan Mum
January 31, 2013 at (139 days ago)Oh my dear lovely Fab Brunette! So sorry to read you have to go through this. Good on you for speaking up and taking a step back. Time flies, our children grow up too quickly and all we will remember is how we tried to juggle and keep on top of our anxieties. Yes, me too… I call it extended baby blues – for me it’s closely connected with sleep. Since the Pea is (more or less) sleeping through, I am much much better. And since I stepped back from writing for babycentre for now, my anxiety has lifted, too.
Lots of love, I am thinking of you. Package for you is practically on its way. Trying to sort out shipping. Damn, Canada is far away…
Dxx
PS: We had a maternity nurse for a few nights who sleep trained the Pea. It worked wonders!
Metropolitan Mum recently posted..Just chill!
Fab Brunette
February 1, 2013 at (137 days ago)I want to do something of the sort as well on the sleeping front, but in our current living situation baby H shares our room with us. With J’s work schedule, to sleep train and have baby cry through the night seems pretty impossible at the moment… so I just keep crossing my fingers hoping that he’ll just sleep thru soon enough!
Chanel Jibal
February 1, 2013 at (137 days ago)Like everyone else said… take good care of yourself babes.
On a positive note, awesome WAHM! That’s great (although I can see how it can be a little stressful). But you save bucks on childcare and can wear PJs if you want 
I wish I lived closer… I’m sure I could help with the anxiety and stuff with comfort food, wine, and girly movies hahaha xo
Chanel Jibal recently posted..GUILTY PLEASURES
Fab Brunette
February 6, 2013 at (132 days ago)I definitely take advantage of wearing yoga leggings almost everyday
but I’m always up for food & wine!
Victoria
February 1, 2013 at (137 days ago)Thank you for stopping by my blog to leave a little commment – can’t quite believe you found time to do that after reading how full your days are. Hope your little one settles into a good sleep routine soon, and your days get a little easier. Take care.
Fab Brunette
February 6, 2013 at (132 days ago)Thanks for stopping by and returning the favor! I’ve been trying to work in at least one day of “productive” blogging per week!
kelly
February 5, 2013 at (133 days ago)While I’m not dealing with PPD, I am a full time WAHM plus helping my husband grow our taxi and tour business – and raise a teenager, take care of 4 dogs, and manage the household. So yeah, stress, anxiety – it’s all there. Just remember to take care of you. As the old saying goes, “When Mom’s not happy, nobody’s happy!”
kelly recently posted..(Video) Banned Sodastream Superbowl Ad Called Too Harsh on Coke and Pepsi by CBS
Fab Brunette
February 6, 2013 at (132 days ago)Thanks for the comment. I’m definitely trying to make sure I have enough “me” time
Rachel
February 12, 2013 at (126 days ago)Being a mama is the hardest job of all! Ya know, I was going to say… I don’t remember you discussing the PPD previously. I am currently dealing with PPD and anxiety from PPD. I’d love to chat with you about it when you’re ready!
Rachel recently posted..confessions of a {new} chocoholic
Fab Brunette
February 15, 2013 at (123 days ago)Well, I try to have a strong exterior shell while inside I am sometimes crumbling. Not overly healthy to keep to oneself, I know, but I am slowly dealing with it
I will definitely speak more on it when I’m ready. Good luck with everything.