There are really three different ways you can work and take care of your kids.
- Work and care for your kids at the same time.
- Work while your kids are asleep.
- Work while your kids are at school, preschool, daycare, or with a nanny/babysitter/family member.
I do all three. Right now for instance, I am writing my blog during Gracie’s nap. During the week I do most of my work while she is at preschool — especially writing, client work, teleclasses, interviews, and meetings. But I also work while she is underfoot – answering email and doing web 2.0 stuff (blog comments, forum posts, linking).
But I wonder — since I have Gracie in preschool, should I only use that time for work, and not let work spill over into Gracie time? Is it wrong for me to be reading email when she is around (besides, I should not be checking & reading email that much anyway)?
How are moms able to run their business with no childcare of any kind? And I don’t just mean moms with babies and toddlers – I also know of moms who homeschool and run a home business. Do they just work while the kids are sleeping? Or do they have family or friends who help? Or do they have different types of kids (unlike mine, kids who are quiet and spend time with themselves)?
Here’s a more important question — why do I worry about it?
I'm Elizabeth Potts Weinstein, a writer, teacher, and coach.