Officially a WAHM!

[greenemami]

Today was my first day at my medical transcription job. It went well, but I am feeling a little bit panicked-how am I going to get it all done?! My plan is to work mostly when my dd (23 months) is sleeping (though she is not a great sleeper), for an hour while she watches Sesame Street and for a couple of hours when my dp can be home. But, I am feeling guilty and worried that she is going to feel neglected by me I have been a SAHM with a couple of babysitting jobs that she has come with me for. Also, although I don't have a set schedule, I do have a line requirement that I have to meet which is looking like I am never going to get to! How do you all balance everything?
I know there are no strict answers, but this was just to share my worries/excitement with some other mamas who are working from home. I keep telling myself that this is far better than having her in daycare away from me all day-at least now when I am working we get to take nursing and cuddling breaks whenever we want :

[Dylie Love]

Congratulations!

So happy for you and your family. Best wishes on speedy typing and a content munchkin.

[Billie]

Congrats! It's going to take some time to find a schedule/routine that works best for you and your family. Just don't give up. I refuse to let the tv babysit my kids, so I set up fun activities for them to do. They "work" right along side me. =)

[aprons_and_acorns]

Originally Posted by greenemami

for an hour while she watches Sesame Street

Don't feel bad! I do the same thing and I don't think twice about it. DS enjoys the show, I get work done, and we're both happy.

Congrats on the new WAHM gig. Be sure to give yourself an adjustment period like you would any job, I'm sure it will get faster and easier with time.

[Billie]

Originally Posted by greenemami

for an hour while she watches Sesame Street and for a couple of hours when my dp can be home:

I'm sorry. I just reread what you wrote and what I had written in response and wanted to apologize. I agree with PP, you shouldn't feel bad. My kids do watch a couple of shows throughout the day... I'm often running around with the Spongebob theme song stuck in my head.

I know a fellow MT who "insists" that her child sit in front of the tv while she is working... for up to 8 HOURS a day. That was what I was referring to, not your comment about Sesame St.

I'm sure you'll do great!

[melissabb]

Good for you! Don't feel guilty about some Sesame Street. First, there is far worse shows she could watch and second , YES, if she WAS in a daycare you can bet your last dollar she would probably be getting a half hour of TV anyway (if not, way more!.

[greenemami]

Thanks everyone for the encouragement!
Billie, no worries, I understood what you meant!
It has been a crazy first week, but overall I am feeling like it is going to work out well-she is getting lots of extra Daddy time, and I am concentrating on spending " quality" time, even though it is a little bit less. Now if only the dishes and laundry would do themselves....!
Thanks again-back to work!

[becoming]

You can do it! I do medical transcription at home with my two little ones (ages 3.5 and 20 months) here with me, and we have a really fun life. I actually have TWO transcription jobs right now for two different hospital systems, so it's been crazy for me, but the kids are doing fine. I do a lot of my work while the kids are asleep at night (you see how late I'm up right now! I just finished working), but I do work some throughout the day, too. The little ones color, play with Play-Doh, drag their toy boxes and dress-up clothes to wherever I am and play around me. I work for one of my companies on my laptop (with a regular keyboard attached), so I can move wherever they are or sit at the kitchen table in the middle of our house and watch them run around everywhere. We very rarely have a problem, although I have spent a couple of bad days holding my youngest in my lap while I type! I don't have a line requirement, though, I just work 14 hours/week for one company (set hours) and then anywhere from 10 to 30 hours for the other company whenever I want.

Good luck, mama! I bet it will go better than you think. I thought it would be impossible when I first started, but the kids really got used to it and are doing better than I thought they could have.