I can not believe that it is already March!  I have been FULL time for 3/4 of a year.   What!????

Working from home is totally different for everyone, especially moms.    I know plenty of women that can rock their work schedule and be mommy at the same time.   I’m often asked what I do with Gracie when I work, and what my typical day looks like.   Well let me just tell you.   I’m not one of those amazing women who can do BOTH at the same time.   Gosh I sure wish I was sometimes!     BUT for me and my workflow I keep family time very separate from work time.   Here’s a glimpse into how it works for us.

Gracie goes to daycare 3 days per week.   Usually I have her dropped off and I’m home in the office about 9am.   I leave to pick her up at 3pm.   I know, that sounds like a lot of hours, but this is also when I schedule any appointments, consultations, meetings, anything that happens during the week has to be on one of her day care days.    I love when we can do Mon, Wed, Fri, but sometimes that is changed based on meetings, shoots, etc.
The Perk:  3 days a week is the perfect balance for me!  I feel like I get to see her 2 extra days than when I was teaching, but I can get a lot done in the 3 days that she’s gone.  I also really feel like daycare is good for her.   It keeps her social, on a schedule, and she genuinely likes it.   Plus our sitter is amazing and I won the lottery finding her 🙂
The hard part:  We do have to spend the money, but because she was in daycare before, we just kept it going, it has not been hard.  Plus, the extra time I have to work, means I can MAKE more money!   It works.   There is also a lot more mom-guilt to fight off when you can make your own schedule.   Reporting to a boss, I didn’t have a choice.  But when she has a runny nose or doesn’t want to get dressed, I have to fight off that mom guilt and get her there!   The truth is, she’s better off stimulated and playing with her friends than home with a mom that is cranky because I’m losing a day of work.  Then when I have my two days with her, it’s all about her!  I work during her nap time.

So here is what a typical Liz work-day (with no extra meetings or plans)  looks like:

-I Wake up sometime between 5:30-7:30 depending on the day.   I can usually do a quick email check before Gracie wakes up.
-Take Gracie to daycare around 8-8:30.
-9:30 I’m in the office working, I always have a list for the day, for the week, and for the month.
Take a lunch when I’m hungry.    Usually I’m having fun working so I scarf it down and get back up stairs.
-3:00 wrap up and leave to get Gracie.
-4:00 Gracie and mommy are home, we usually paint, play, or if she’s grumpy watch a show till daddy comes home.   Oh and lots of snacks.
-6:00 Dinner (whatever the heck that looks like that night)   then more play time
-7:00 (ish)  Gracie takes a bath with daddy while I clean up downstairs.  This is when I can get in one last email check for the day before I take my shower.
8:30 (ish)  Gracie goes to bed and I’m done for the day!

If I’m not shooting, then I don’t really work on weekends or evenings.   Those days off are also for family or social activities.   Sometimes I will work during nap time if Mark is out… but we like to do stuff together.   And because I have dedicated “office hours” during the week, most of the big stuff gets done.   When I do fall behind, I rely on early mornings.  This is easy right now because I’m so preggo that I’m not sleeping well.   Sometimes at night I write emails while Mark has Gracie in the bath, but that will all change when baby #2 is here 🙂 In fact….  I’m sure this entire workflow will be thrown for a loop when baby gets here, but that is ok!   We got this! I just can’t wait to snuggle this new baby!

3 days is NOT a lot, especially when I feel like this job needs an easy 40 hours/week.   My schedule is not perfect, I have had plenty of days where I’m cramming, working overtime, etc.  There are days where Mark gets home and I HAVE to work that extra bit.   This is a very “general” day.   BUT it only gets better over time.  I’m learning to outsource, give myself grace, and balance work and family.    Roll with the punches and just do what works for your family.    The balance is so important!

Photos by Erin Ammons Photography