The Balance I Often Feel Like I’ll Never Find as a Work From Home Mom

photo by Rebecca Keller Photography

There’s this thing called “balance” that has almost become a buzzword of late. Balancing work versus play. Personal versus professional life. Balancing family and friends. Balancing hustle and rest. Balancing playing with kids and taking time for ourselves. Balancing parenting and marriage. Balancing motherhood and work. Balance. Balance. Balance.

Balance is something I feel like I’ve always struggled with… it’s just the “what” that I’m balancing seems to change with time.  Lately (well, to be honest, for the past couple of years), I have had a big struggle with balancing work and motherhood. I realize this problem is not unique to me and it’s not unique to motherhood… it’s not unique to stay-at-home moms or work from home moms, or even working moms. As moms, we’re constantly pulled in different directions.

But I have definitely felt a bigger struggle as of late. 

I shared with you guys my struggle with postpartum depression after having Amos and honestly, having Amos rocked our world. Don’t get me wrong, having Amos has been the BEST and I can’t imagine life without him… but going from one to two kids rocked our world and was a really hard transition for me. Before Amos was born, I had a really solid work routine with Lilly. She was going to preschool in the mornings two days a week and then napping consistently every afternoon. I was able to get everything I needed to get done during the time she was either at school or napping… I felt like I was growing the blog and my Young Living business and I felt like I was even able to pursue other goals.

Amos was born and everything changed. My routine was totally thrown out of whack. I had a baby that didn’t sleep. Lilly was in the throes of the terrible twos / threes (plus she cold turkey quit napping), and I was battling postpartum depression.

I feel this constant pull to focus on blog / podcast/ Young Living stuff and grow those things so I can continue to help support my family. But I also realize that not only do I work from home, but I’m also a stay-at-home mom… and I have kids who need me and who are growing up way too fast. I constantly battle whether or not I should be working or playing another game of dress up. It’s not that I don’t want to play and spend time with my kids (I do), but the reality is, I also have to work.

Yes, Lilly is in school a few mornings a week… but it’s not really enough time for me to get a lot done. (And what about summers??) Plus, I have Amos who is mobile and INTO EVERYTHING NOW. And then, Lilly doesn’t nap anymore so that makes afternoons more challenging. I do have a friend’s sweet daughter who comes a couple days a week in the afternoons to be a “mommy’s helper” and play with Lilly… and that has helped tremendously! But if Amos is having a bad afternoon or Lilly is struggling, it can throw the whole day off.

I’ve really come to know and embrace the importance of just being flexible. I’ve realized that in this current stage that I’m in, a routine (for me), just isn’t realistic right now. And that’s okay. Some days are going to be better than others. This is a season – I’m fully aware of that. I guess I just have to learn to give myself a little grace.

I’m not complaining, so please don’t hear that. I love that I get to do what I get to do for a living… I love my job. I love this community. I also love my kids and I love their sweet hearts, their amazing personalities, their snuggles, their smiles, and I love cherishing every single moment with them.

But it’s not easy. Not one thing about this whole motherhood thing is easy. Let alone balancing working and being a mom.

Whether you’re a stay-at-home mom, a work from home mom, a working mom, a single mom, etc… know that you are doing the best you can and that you are doing awesome! You’re setting a life-long example for those kids and you’re AMAZING. Maybe you need a little encouragement today… I know I do.

What about you? If you’re a work from home mom especially, I’d love to hear from you… what works for you? How do you get into some semblance of a routine? Let me know in the comments!! 

Also, I am so excited to be joining fellow mama, Kail Lowry, for a Virtual Book Tour in honor of her new book Hustle & Heart! PLUS, if you’re in the Baltimore, Maryland area, you can meet Kail in person at her book signing March 25th at noon at the John Hopkins University Barnes and Noble! Be sure to visit the other blogs to read their posts!

Kail Lowry | cupcakeMAG

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