It’s no small task being Maxwell’s main provider during the day along with running a handmade shop online. It’s taken me a handful of weeks to really figure out the best way to do this — and many of you have asked me, “How do I juggle working with being a stay-at-home-mom?” My best answer? Naps. And napping often. Babies know they need a lot of sleep and when you have one at home I think the same applies to us mamas as well. When I am well-rested I feel like I can accomplish anything.
All “difficult” work roadblocks suddenly seem obtainable. I’m able to grocery shop, do a couple loads of laundry [in a room not inside our personal apartment], walk Bauer, plan dinner and still find some time to work on Gussy Sews. But it’s all only because I take a afternoon nap. Now, this work doesn’t always occur during daytime hours. Most of the time I work late at night once Max has been put down for the night. Oftentimes Zack cleans up dinner and does bedtime with Max. Those nights I get started on work early. But sometimes I put Max to bed. Either way we have kinda this unspoken rule that if Max fusses once he’s been put to bed Zack will check in on him while I get started on my work.
I used to think working at night meant I was making less progress with my business. But then I remembered it’s simply not possible to add something new without subtracting something else — especially because my schedule was already at 100% prior to Maxwell being born. Once he was born my priorities shifted, along with when these priorities could be addressed. Of course it took a good afternoon nap for me to realize these things ;)
I don’t work at night every night, Zack + I like to reserve a couple nights each week to spend time together. And weekends are typically “work free”. But just like I realized I can’t do more than 100%, we know this schedule isn’t always going to be like this. One day Max will be older and will need less of me during the day.
So mamas, are you wondering how I get so much done? And are you wondering how you too can work from home on your handmade business along with being a stay-at-home-mommy? Two things: naps, and working at night. Neither will last forever and honestly, I enjoy a good nap.
I love this! My Gregory is about a week older than Max. For a while I was getting upset that you were some how able to just get right back to work and care for him and always look so rested. But my husband made me take a step back…we bought our first house and moved out of state when Gregory was just 2 weeks, now renovations and decorating trump my business. I had to realize that the house was my business for now and my crafts will work their way back in when they fit! You go girl, it is so hard being a stay-at-home mom but its the best job I have ever had!!
@Lauren Snedigar, There is so much behind the scenes “stuff” that no one knows about… there’s simply not enough time to share everything in a blog post :) I am an open book though, ask me any question you have and I’ll do my very best to respond. I also have a team of 4 assistants, they are a HUGE HUGE help to me! Such a blessing. I’m hoping to share more on that and how we transitioned the business from Minneapolis to Los Angeles. Stay encouraged!!! xoxo
I was wondering how you were getting it all done. I have a small home business and 3 small children ages 9, 5, and 1. I’ve been struggling with trying to commit to any “Business” time to get all my sewing projects and orders completed. I really like your idea of sewing at night. Love all your items!
Keep it up! Being a stay at home mom is no easy task especially while working!
@Jennifer Sweeting, Another way I juggle it all is by having a team of assistants. But before I had a team, it was just me and my machine, all day long. I worked LONG days, especially when I had a full-time office job. Now that my main focus is Gussy Sews it’s easier to do more, because my attention is only on the one job, but it’s still a crazy amount of work. It’s not perfect but it’s what works for us, right now. Sometimes I stay up super late (like 2am or 3am) other times I work on the weekend. Setting rewards is a huge motivator for me. What would motivate you? xoxo
Thanks for sharing! This has always been a struggle for me. Working from home is a blessing, but it is HARD. As they get older, it gets even harder because (as you said) you have less time to spend on work and spend more time chasing them around and keeping them out of the toilet! Now that my oldest is in Preschool, I am loving the freedom I get while she’s gone; although I still have my one-year-old with me most days. I find that as they get older, it’s important to find help one or two days a week. It’s just impossible to do it all and working at night becomes so hard, because I am so tired from taking care of them during the day! It’s all a balance and it changes constantly. But it is still possible to work and be a full-time mom, and it certainly is rewarding!
@Amy {The Mombot}, I don’t think HARD is a big enough word for really how hard it is ;D
Having quiet time at our house is key to having sanity. As our children grow we plan to continue nap/rest time in our home. I can’t quite imagine not having it. But yes, I completely agree about having help. My team is an incredible source of help to me. Without them the business wouldn’t be the same. xoxo
It is awesome to see you do this balancing act and succeed! My mom stayed home with us and I am so glad she did:) I am positive Maxwell will appreciate it immensely when he gets older. Also– a good nap cures almost anything;)
@Elizabeth M, My mom did, too :)
It is hard for me to run my business and take care of my almost 2 year old son. He sleeps through the night – although not as late as I would like, but that allows me to work during naptime and occasionally get something done here or there while he is asleep at night. I think it was easier to get some things done when Jude was younger and less mobile. Now that he is into EVERYTHING – I can really only work when he is asleep. It getting harder to take him to boutiques and craft shows. My husband also watches Jude one morning a week so I can work. Its not easy, but its fun & helps contribute to our family! Thanks for sharing how you make it work. I love to hear how other moms juggle both.
My little one is just one month old. Before he was born, I would work in the afternoons while my older two would have “quiet time” in their rooms. Now, I have a baby who wants to cuddle in the afternoons (and I’m not productive at all in the evenings), so I’ve had to transition to waking up earlier and getting my work done in the mornings while all three kids are still sleeping. It’s been difficult as I’m not a morning person, but I’ve been get so much more done with my new routine!
@Ashley Pichea, :) I’m giving you a high five…
Your are truly blessed to be able to stay home with your son. It is not easy, but it is a blessing to you and your family. Thank you for sharing your family with us. I will continue to pray that God will bless you all. I know He is looking out for you.
@Pam S., Staying home with Max is teaching all of us amazing life lessons. I’m not the only one learning from this experience :) Thanks for your comment Pam! xo
Great advice! At some point this month (I’m almost 38 weeks) I’ll become a work from home mommy. It’s not my own business, but I think the same thing can definitely apply!
@Kassi @ Truly Lovely, Yeowwwww, so so exciting! :) What an amazing new adventure just around the corner…
I was never very good at napping during the day, but now my kids ‘nap’ times are so precious as that’s the only time I can sew. Nap times and in the evenings :-) It’s always a struggle and I’m always tired and sometimes distracted from ‘being there’ with my kids while I think of another project I should be working on. But I’m getting okay at juggling it all now but it’s taken time and housework has definitely suffered ;-)
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@Brenda, …and that is totally OK! It’s been so good for me to realize I can’t care of Max full-time AND continue doing all the other tasks for our family that I do. Something has to budge, and as along as your family is in agreement, whatever you decide is the perfect solution. Besides, now that I’m a mom I’m definitely more laid back about life. Ha! When I visit my friends homes and they look “lived in” I seriously let out a little sigh of relief. It’s so comforting for me :) Praying you feel the same way, too. xo
Thanks so much for sharing your experience! I am expecting my first child in November, and I’ve definitely wondered how I am going to balance being a stay-at-home mom while running a creative business the same time (especially those first few months!) The pregnancy has thankfully taught me how to take a proper nap (thank goodness for power naps!) and I will definitely be referring back to this blog post when this little one makes an appearance!
Such a perfectly timed post from you! I have been struggling with feeling guilty about resting for a time in the afternoon. But my 30 weeks pregnant with a 6 and 2 year old self was shutting down without the rest. It’s almost like I was wishing for someone to give me that permission, sounds ridiculous, but reading it here on your blog, that I admire so much, made me feel so much better. Thanks for sharing :)
@Erika, This warms my heart. Yes dear, rest. It’s truly a gift you’re giving your family. xo
You are very inspiring, and it is a joy to see that your baby and your marriage come first!
Are you still able to keep to a full-time schedule or have you gone down to a more part-time one, now that you work in the evenings?
@Leah, Leah, your comment is a blessing to me. Thank you :)
I’m definitely working more of a part-time schedule, anywhere from 2-6 hours a day, which includes nighttime work. And, if I’m totally honest, some days I don’t work at all! I’m learning as I go. I shared this in some of the above comments, I have a team of assistants that help me which is why I’m able to have a reduced schedule. xoxo
I enjoyed reading this post! It is such a balancing act of being a wife, mommy, and business owner! I’m currently homeschooling our five children, and my husband went back to college so my online businesses are our sole income while he finishes his graphic design degree. It’s such a crazy time, but it is nice to know I’m not the only one juggling children and work from home. :)
I just wrote a guest post on a blog about how I balance being a work at home mom/homeschooler/business owner here: http://www.holyspiritledhomeschooling.net/2013/07/what-ive-learned-as-a-work-at-home-homeschool-mom/
@Caroline @ The Modest Mom Blog, Caroline! Love your name, that’s my middle name :) Look at you being a rockstar with all of your tasks. Yeow!
I love a good nap! It makes everything so much better. Hugs.
Thanks for sharing this! I have always wondered how other moms handle staying up working until the wee hours. A good nap then is the answer.
Wishing all the best to family and business!
I hate to break it to you, but he’s going to a nap less and need even more of you during the day up until he goes to school. My kids went down to one nap a day around 12 months and never went back.
Good luck to you! What an adorable baby.
@Samantha, Our kids may not nap, but they’ll definitely have quiet time each afternoon :) xoxo
I was really looking forward to the day when you wrote this post :) I may have been a momma a tiny bit longer than you, but you certainly have this work-at-home thing figured out much better than me!
@Jenna@CallHerHappy, ONLY because I’ve probably cried over it more than you. Ha! I’d love to help you with this, comment back and tell me which area you are struggling with the most? xo
My kids don’t nap and so momma doesn’t nap, just too much that a 5 and almost 4 year old can get into. I work mostly in the evenings and get a little bit of work done during their “quiet time” in the afternoon. My secret is eating well and my morning runs 3 days a week. I am finding that a protein shake really helps me get over that midday slump when I want to pass out!
This truly spoke to me! I’ve launched my indie biz and am also a FTM to a 1 year old. Thank you for saying it is actually productive to take naps!!!! In juggling all the moving pieces, it sure can make a difference. Well, that AND coffee.
Cheers to burning the midnight oil!
@Lindsey S., Naps are my saving grace. In fact, I’m off to sneak one in before Max wakes up ;D
[…] week I shared a tip on how I juggle “indie biz” and “stay-at-home-mom” — I loved reading your comments at the end of the post and will be replying to them soon. […]
When I started working at home years ago, I had trouble being self-motivated and juggling it all. Working at night and taking naps are really important. You become sleep deprived and less productive. I started to nap at the same time as the kids and it worked really well. We stayed on the same schedule, I got enough sleep and I had energy to work a couple of hours each night after they went to bed.
[…] that’s how my mind would change after giving birth. I shared a little bit about how I juggle Indie Biz and mamahood here. If you haven’t read it yet it’s a simple yet enlightening read about my […]
This one was SO hard for me after having the twins & having my two older toddlers at home so nap/quiet time is always necessary during the day. I check my emails in the morning while they have a cartoon/breakfast, then it’s mom duty until nap time. Like you, a few nights a week are for blogging/designing, otherwise it’s wife&hubby time :) Which we all know every parent needs!
xoxo