How to Survive...

It's been awhile since I have written.  I have been busy taking on new "projects" but I have been approached by 4 different women lately about being a working Mom outside the home and "how did I do it?"

Here is the deal...millions of Moms do it every day.  As women, especially in this economy, we have to "step up to the plate" and help support our families.  Sometimes, women are left single and don't have a choice.  In fact, there are more moms working outside the home than not.  Many, many people thought I was crazy for leaving my very well paying job to stay home, "especially in this economy."  For my family, it was the right choice.  And just to be clear, I still work...I just do it from home.

Everyone is different.  There were days when I was happy to be at work instead of dealing with the whining and fighting.  Other days, when my child was sick or would cry for me, it was hard to drop them off.

The main thing was for me to be as organized as I possibly could.  I was in no means perfect, but it helped if I was organized and I cheated.

Here is the break down of "how I did it":

Step One:  Split the duties.  Joe was very supportive in breaking up the "duties" around the house.  If I cooked, he did dishes, etc.  (In fact, it is still like that.)  Let's be honest though, most nights we went out. :)  If I worked later, I would try and put something in the CrockPot before work.  If you don't have someone to split duties with, I champion you and am your BIGGEST FAN!

Step Two:  I cheated.  I hired a "cleaning lady."  She just happened to be my sister-in-law and she would come every two weeks to get the heavy cleaning done.

Step Three:  I did a load of laundry every night.  After dinner, Joe would take the girls down to his "mad scientist" basement and I would fold laundry.  I would also try and "straighten up" one room every other night.

Step Four:  Joe and I would put the girls to bed at 8.  This consisted of a bed-time story and family prayer.  Then was downtime.

Step Five:  Rest and Go grocery shopping on my days off.

That is Tina's formula.  Just to be clear.  I was in survival mode.  I did what I could to get through the day and every day was different.

Every single woman is different and has different situations.  I fully support and praise women living in today's society.  It is not easy...but it is worth it.