subject: What are working single moms teaching their kids? [print this page] I used to go to work every day, drop the boys at school or kid care and rush to the office. At the end of the day I would pick them up and rush home to start dinner, then do homework, a quick kiss and off to bed. While they slept I would clean, do laundry and pay bills. Sound familiar? When my kids would ask me to play I would say, sorry, mommy has to .you fill in the blank, but I never sat down and played, always too busy. I decided one day that this needed to change here's how I made the change.
Change 1 -
I made a rule if they ever asked me to do anything with them I would say YES and stop whatever I was doing and do it. So often it was a 10 minute activity, read me a book, watch my You Tube video, watch me play with the dog or something as simple as sitting and doing nothing, but saying YES became so easy and enjoyable and really not that much time out of my day. I had become so conditioned to saying No. This was easier to change then I thought it would be.
Change 2
I started working from home about 14 years ago and it was the best decision I ever made. Working from home has allowed me to be where I need to be whenever I need to be there. It has allowed me to find pockets of free time to do more of what I want to do. How you ask? You can multitask in so many amazing ways that save you time and even money. Example: While returning phone calls to clients I would be chopping vegetable to toss in to the crock pot or the biggest one folding laundry. If you wear a headset and are hands free you can even garden while talking to people. I would even enjoy the luxury of painting my toe nails, not critical, but nice for me. Tell me what employer would really want you doing that at the office. One of the other great aspects of working from home is when your kids are sick, you are right there and you don't have to miss a day of work. Especially with younger kids this is really helpful.
Change 3
Finding an income generator that provided more money without working more hours. As I mentioned I've worked from home for 14 years, mostly for other people. The pay was ok and I had benefits, which is important, but the money was simply not enough to raise my kids on. I went searching for a financial solution. I found one that allowed me to build my business while I still managed my day job. It's been a slow process, but very beneficial. There are so many options out there today to do this. I highly recommend doing lots of research and I mean lots to see what fits your life. Look for something that really allows you to grow the business, provides an education and support system, and provides a complete back office support system so you don't have to re-invent the wheel. Search out an option that won't make you go broke while you learn the system.
Your kids are only young once, invest in the changes now while they are still wanting to hang out with you it will be the best changes you can make in your life and theirs.
