WAHM successfully with your child-need advice on new opportunity

[es1967]

Well, I'm about to accept a job where the employer is allowing me to WAHM for several months. Its a job doing all the accounting/financials for a company. Its the kind of job I can do from anywhere. I've been a SAHM for 3 yrs and love it but due to financial reasons really need this income. The employer has also offered me an empty office he has to work out of and also bring along my DS. There is enough room to set up a play area etc. I have done other PT consulting jobs including my DH's from home without much problem. I am considering putting him in a preschool PT in the fall-they do not have room avail right now. I really don't want him to sit in a preschool all day b/c I feel a 3 yr old should be outside playing not stuck in a school all day. So I am trying to avoid that. Anyways, I live in a condo-2 bed /2bath and my desk will will be put either in my bedroom or in the Living room. My son has his own room where he can play along w the living room. I was planning to start workon the computer at around 7 am and work til 1pm. Then take him out and about to play. If any extra things are needed to be done. I would work on them later in the day-say 8-10 pm. So my questions are:
1. any ideas to make this work successfully?
2. I thought about hiring someone to come and play w my son a few days in the morning at home but my place is small so I'm not sure how that would work.
3. Regarding the office space I am offered- how could I make that work w my son there. I think I would get more done at home since he has more to do there. It would be costly to set up another set of toys for him.

I guess I am having a hard time letting go of my son. I have seen so many nanny's treat the kids they care for badly. Then when I visit the preschools I see most of the kids coughing and running noses. Then yesterday a kid in one of the preschools chased my son numerous times and the teachers just watched w/o saying a word. MY son is not shy nor is he scared of people. This kid frightened him to tears and he almost jumped off the jungle gym due to fear. He is out with tons of kids 4-5 days a week. Sorry for the rambling.
Any tips to make this work for me?????

[lilyka]

honestly preschool sounds like a much better option than being stuck alone in a house or office with a distracted mama, expected to play alone. Just be sure it is a good preschool. He will figure out the social stuff quickly. you really can't drop a kid into a group of kids he doesn't know and expect them all to act civil or even normal. they are little tiny kids and any change can get them wound up and make them act strange.

how many hours will you need to work each week? do you have family around? could grandma take him for a bit? do you have a friend you could maybe swap a day each week with?

[SunshineJ]

If you hire someone to come in and play with him while you're working, keep in mind that you'll be there and while it may be distracting, you'll still be able to hear how he's being treated. I'll be honest, it's HARD to get work done with a little one around. They want your full attention ALL the time - especially if they're already used to having it. What ended up working for me was to spend 1-2 hrs during ds's nap time, and then when he went down at 8, I'd work from then until around 1am. It was hard, and some days it really sucked, but it worked and I was able to maintain a solid reputation for my quality of work. Just be open to the idea that things may work out differently than you're expecting. And congrats on the job!

[es1967]

Thanks for your replies. My DS does not nap so I know that is not going to work. I do know that I can get up early -say 6 am or 7am till noon and work. In the mornings I usually clean up vacuum,check emails, while he plays. We sometimes don't get out of the house till 11am or later anyways. I figure w all his toys,train table, some Tv that I could keep him busy. Then if needed I could add on a few hrs at night like the PP mentioned to make up the difference. Could I not get him used to this schedule in the morning? Say Mama has to work in morning and in the afternoon I could be free to take him out. I thought I could alternate and do tues and thurs -work say 1pm -5pm and spend the morning wearing him out. I feel ok about getting someone in the house to play with him while I work-think this would work. Still exploring and visiting prechools/daycares for a few hours a day. I just don't know what to do. This job came to me a little prematurely b/c I do not want to give up this time w my son. He is my only child and my only chance to be a SAHM. I also need the money but maybe I am taking on more than I should.

[es1967]

Originally Posted by lilyka

honestly preschool sounds like a much better option than being stuck alone in a house or office with a distracted mama, expected to play alone. Just be sure it is a good preschool. He will figure out the social stuff quickly. you really can't drop a kid into a group of kids he doesn't know and expect them all to act civil or even normal. they are little tiny kids and any change can get them wound up and make them act strange.

how many hours will you need to work each week? do you have family around? could grandma take him for a bit? do you have a friend you could maybe swap a day each week with?

My family is not near and my DH's is in town but not available-they either work or are half blind!!! I have alot of friends but not sure who I could work this out with.