Monday, October 27, 2008

A Day in the Life of a WAHM

Work at home mom... the best of both worlds, right? You tell me after reading a typical weekday.


6 a.m. Alarm goes off. I jump out of bed hoping to at least shower before I hear the first tiny foot steps.

6:10 a.m. I'm just about to step my big toe into the big glass box when...

WAAAAAAAAAAAH!
OK, I'll just grab her and let her play with the toys where I can see her while I shower. I run into the bedroom... oh my gosh, her crib is totally soaked.

6:15-6:45 I change clothes and sheets while conforting a girl who's not happy to have woken up wet and cold. Ok, maybe I can return emails and suck down a cup of coffee before the boys wake up.

6:46 The boys wake up.

6:50-8:00 I try to return emails with one hand while feeding oatmeal into a hungry girl and convincing a 3-year-old that, while he wants to wear his monkey shirt every day, the monkey gets tired and needs a day off.

A sippy cup whizzes past my head and hits my computer, square on the keyboard -- removing it's ability to type the letter X. (phew... a letter I rarely use)

I get the boys dressed, finish making lunches and filling snack bags -- man, why didn't I do this last night? Faces are wiped, hair is combed (although strangely doesn't look like it) and they're out the door with Daddy for a fun morning at preschool.

8:15 - 8:30 Get a little work done while holding a squirming girl. I don't understand why she doesn't love television like every other kid. Hey look, it's Barney!

"WAAAAAAAAH!"

Yeah, can't really blame her there.

8:32 Phone rings. Hi Honey... what? A line at the preschool? Lots of women? OH. MY. GOD. It's the meeting for Parent Volunteer Club! I'm supposed to bring the muffins! It starts at 8:45. I can do this...

8:55 I pull into the school parking lot with grocery store muffins and a baseball hat covering my still-dirty hair. The meeting is in full swing. Maybe they won't notice....

"HEY JACKIE!"

Ugh, they noticed.

11:10 a.m. I pull back out of the school parking lot and head for home.

11:15 a.m. I get gas.

11:35 a.m. I pick up the dry cleaning. (I'm out already -- when else would I get to it?)

11:50 a.m. I grab milk -- whole for the little one, non-fat for the boys and me, and 1% for the hubby. Do I need help out? Nah, I got it.

11:55 a.m. Bag rips. Milk lands on pavement.... my car... and us. Yeah, maybe I could've used a little help out.

12:15 p.m. We're home and changed (still not showered but some things just aren't going to happen today). I give Lucy some lunch and clean her up.

1:10 p.m. Lucy goes down for a nap. Perfect! Now I have exactly 90 minutes to finish a project, prepare for a 2 p.m conference call, and take the call before she wakes up.

1:30 Oh no ... She's crying! My conference call is in 30 minutes -- I am totally unprepared. The dogs are barking at construction guys next door and the phone is ringing. (is it work? is the meeting early? did I miss yet another mom-duty at school?)

1:40 I grab Lucy, run outside to bring the dogs in, press play on the machine -- phew, doctor's office confirming an appointment -- put her down to play ... WHOOPS! Someone is adament her feet don't hit the floor or butt hit the couch ... OK, OK, I'll hold you. I scamper into my home office with Lucy in my arms, use one hand to do a little research so I don't look like a complete idiot and collect a few points to add to the work conversation.

1:55 I attempt to put Lucy in front of Baby Einstein. If it works, I am free to work for 30 minutes. I. slowly. put. her. down. (silence) YES! She's going for it! I look at the clock... two minutes -- yikes!

1:58 I grab my laptop and find a spot in the house where I can see Lucy but those on the call can't hear the classical music or singing girl. I'm good to go...

My computer dings...hmm, a new email... "hi jackie, the video conference call is on-time for 2p.m."

VIDEO conference?????

17 comments:

Ramona said...

Jackie - you KNOW I understand. :| We need to start a support group for us crazy mamas.

momwithfaithandhope said...

The real life. . .I love it. You are super mom, and your post made me fell better after "one of those mornings"! I think I'll enjoy my office . . .away from home. Hugs, Tiff

The Family K. said...

The person who invents an extra set of arms for mothers of young children should win the Nobel Peace Prize.

Hats off to you for surviving.

Anonymous said...

Honey, why did you tone it down for the blog? You left out some of the best (worst) moments. ;)

I love you, supermom.

Tami and Bobby Sisemore Family said...

ROFL! I love the ending! You poor thing! I was just fixin to send out a search party for you! I miss you so much! I know how you feel to certain extent. we are back on duty as Children's pastors officially come Wednesday but have had multiple things pop up during our sabatical that I just have to be the one to handle! You are better than me cuz it is SOO hard to do anything on computer with squirmin Noah who is tryin to type instead of me! Glad to know I am not alone! I so look up to you girl :) Keep up the good work and just think, now you can apply for circus work as a master juggler!

hugs
tAmi
Noah's mama
www.tillGodbringsthemhome.blogspot.com

JackieMacD said...

Ramona, I SO know you feel my pain! I'm imagining Tiff with a hot cup of coffee at her office. ;) Judy, you are SO right about the arms and Tami, I miss you -- you understand the craziness of the first couple of months too!

Dadtastic (ha) -- should I have told them that I'm scheduled for a call today and have to take it outside the preschool in the car while the kids suck on lollipops?

Room for More said...

Okay Jackie, I kept on laughing through the comments! What will we ever do in 20 years. Will we miss the busy-ness?
Shannon

Andrea said...

Wow, that's madness. How about everybody wears clothes that don't require dry cleaning, Dad picks up the milk, and you paste a tiny little photo of yourself perfectly made up and smiling onto a picture of a beautiful office from a catalog and prop that up in front of the webcam?

Rebecca Lily said...

AHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! You get it!! You get my life!!!! :) Girl, we DEFINITELY need a blog for WAHM's!! Let's start one - you & me!! Yes, the GLAMOROUS life of a work at home mom - we have it so good, don't we!!?? :)

xoxo
Rebecca

The family of six said...

I laughed out loud at the sippy cup flying!! You are too funny. You should have been at my house this morning!! I think a bomb went off in my house - UGGH!

Unknown said...

Too funny. Sounds like a few days around here.

Video conference - why do they do that??

Obviously designed by a man who never stayed home with kids.

lorabelle said...

I so get this! I'm laughing so hard because I so really do and there is just nothing we can do about it!
Lora

Expecting Good Things said...

Jackie,
Oh goodness. I don't know if I would have that much patience. In fact I KNOW I wouldn't. You do a great job though!! Wow!
Holli

Lynn said...

Oh my goodness!! Sounds like my house!

meow said...

Jackie!! You are so amazing!
But you already know that, right? right!
Sally

meow said...

i need to write a post like this one.
i am totally having a day like yours.
shhhh! someone is finally sleeping.
(not me, sadly)
is it friday yet??
sally

Amy, Ryan, Aidan and Lauren said...

Yep, totally relating to this as a WAHM. And people seem to think my setup is totally ideal!