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One Day at a Time & A Writing Wrap Up

  November 7

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one day at a timeI got a lot of e-mails this week, and more than one person told me they don’t know how I do all of this. And by “all of this” I assume they mean take care of the beans and run my business and try to support hubs all at the same time.

My answer is just one day at a time.

Some days are really, really good, and some days are really, really hard – harder than I ever imagined when I dreamed up the idea of the stay at home/work at home combo.

One day this week, I was walking my stroller around the mall, talking to my assistant Kayla on the phone as we dealt with an advertiser problem for my other site. The beans were happy, smiling at people in the mall and looking around. I felt very on top of things, like I was being a good mom taking them out by myself and a good business owner handling and delegating an issue.

But, there was another day this week where my son was up all night with diarrhea and the hubs happened to be at the hospital all night that same night on call. I had a really important deadline I had to make the next day for a high paying client, and it took just about everything I had to do it well on about two hours of sleep. I also put my kids in front of the TV so I could get the project done, so on that day I felt like a good writer for my client but not the greatest mom.

In sum, I am still figuring this out. I am more tired than not, and I question what I do all the time. Sometimes I get so excited about my work that I could just burst and other times, I’ve wanted to quit just about everything and go move into a cave somewhere. This week, I was more on the move-to-a-cave side of things for myself, but with my support hubs had an incredibly successful week and his career is important too so I can’t complain.

All in all, we are afloat and doing okay. I might take some time off around the holidays to spend time with my little family and recalibrate but until then know that I continue to be grateful for your support and understanding as I figure out how to best balance everything.

I’ll elaborate more soon in a longer post, since I know there are other parents or future parents out there looking to do the same thing.

Alright, enough about me. Let’s get to the wrap up.

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Have a great weekend everyone!

27 responses to “One Day at a Time & A Writing Wrap Up

  1. You are doing an awesome job Cat, and I am sure you are starting to see this, but as a working mom, you will never really feel like you are doing well at everything at any given moment. After my release in the Running on Empty post, I took this week to spend more time with my hubby and son. I didn’t feel like I progressed my work as much as I would like; however, when I met Will’s class at the book fair yesterday and he ignored all of his friends and just hung out with me, I couldn’t imagine making a better life choice. I will treasure that time with him and the work will figure itself out.

  2. Awww good for you for taking some time off during the holidays!! I hope to do the same…though, I recently lost my main editing job so I’m going to be scrambling to look for some extra income. That’s for sure a major downside of freelancing – you almost HAVE to take everything that comes your way since you may lose something else 🙁 But you are right, the only way to balance working from home with little ones is to take it one day at a time. Hope you have a great weekend!!

  3. Obviously I can’t speak to the caring for infant twins while working part of things (so impressive!) but I totally get the difficulty of being as supportive as possible for a spouse while also trying to build and maintain your business. My Mr. is finishing up his PhD and job hunting right now. I know that it’s an incredibly difficult and stressful time for him, and as much as possible I’m trying to take over things like housework, errands, etc. so he can focus on his research and his job applications. Periodically, though, I’ll just feel so burnt out trying to get it all done and have to resist the urge to yell, “You know every single week is a job hunt for me, right?!”

    Marriage. It’s a crazy thing.

  4. Cat, you’re doing a wonderful job. You are dealing with the dilemma that mother’s face: how to do it all? I am watching you manage things well with, grace, humor, and drive. You have put systems in place to help manage all of the different things that are going on. Know that you’re kicking a@@ and are an inspiration. Sending good vibes.

  5. And once you think ou figure it out, the kids will throw you for a loop. Nap needs vary. But they may sleep all. Night. Long. They will start walking and entertain themselves for longer, but you will have to watch them more so they don’t hurt themselves. I’m rooting for you Cat! Be kind to yourself 🙂

  6. Cat – you are doing an amazing job balancing being a first-time Mom (to twins, no less) and running your new business. That is so much to take on, my friend. And you are doing it with grace. There will definitely be days that you feel on top of the world. Business is booming and the kids are great. And other days all you want to do is cry because business is giving you a migraine and your kids won’t stop crying. And that is completely normal. Cherish those good days and don’t sweat the bad. I’m glad you’re planning to give yourself a much needed break around the holidays. Enjoy your first Christmas with them. They won’t remember it, but you will.

  7. I don’t know how you do it, either! You are superwoman. One day at a time is the way to go. It’s easy to get overwhelmed if you do it any other way. We’re cheering you on. You SHOULD take time during the holidays for yourself. Spend it with your family and enjoy.

  8. After just two short weeks of working (part-time) at home for my J.O.B. with my newborn Mini Maroon 2 here too, I have no idea how you, or any other full-time free-lancer, does it with kids at home. Never mind keeping up with basic household necessities. Kudos to you!! I find it to be very impressive and inspirational.

  9. “I might take some time off around the holidays to spend time with my little family and recalibrate” is probably one of the best things you’ve written! 😀 You’re doing great and you deserve a break!

  10. Kids and lack of sleep really breakdown parents. I find myself so grumpy on certain days when the kids run a muck. I just have to remember to stay calm.

  11. You definitely didn’t sign up for the easy route to success but you are accomplishing all the same. I would strongly advise that you do take a break during the holidays to decompress and spend time with your husband and family. You deserve the time to resource yourself Cat.

  12. I’m in awe. One child tired me out and I wasn’t running a business to boot! I just don’t know how some of you girls do it. You need to give yourselves pats on the back for doing what most men would never be able to do!

  13. Take care of yourself! I hope you can get some needed rest soon. I truly don’t know how you do it all–you’re an inspiration, especially to future parents (someday) like me!

  14. I really don’t know how you do it all Cat. I would just be so stressed out. That is awesome that you are able to handle it all so well. You are a great mother and wife! 🙂

  15. Life is always one day at a time. This is especially true when you are a full time mom, business owner, and wife! You are doing awesome Cat and I know you struggle at times, but who doesn’t? Just know that you are doing the best for you and your family and most would dream of what you have been able to accomplish!

  16. Cat, I know the feeling. Recalibrate indeed. I understand, it’s not the many things you have to do that overwhelm you and have you feeling like, ‘what the heck am I doing?’ It’s that they come slamming at you full force when you on such limited time to get things done: sleep, finish an assignment, wake up, take care of the kids, etc. You only have so much time in the day. I suggest you ask someone who would like to earn a couple of bucks a day for some morning or any time of the day, to come over and help. When I had the help of two or just one of my teen neighbors to watch my kids, while I unloaded groceries or ran to go potty right after I arrived home, that would make a tremendous difference in my attitude and how I carried on the rest of the day. It doesn’t have to be lots of help, but after reading your post this morning, I said to myself, wow, she could sure use an extra hand to get the kids changed and fed, while she preps breakfast, or even give the little bean who is sick another bath. You know the saying, INVEST IN YOURSELF? This is me saying invest in your self/sanity. This will make all the difference. It doesn’t mean you will get more done, but having that extra set of hands will help tremendously and tackle all that needs to be done in a better frame of mind. I can actually admit, this is why parenting leaves us frazzled. Many blessings to you and your family. Thank you for sharing so much.

  17. Cat,

    You really do continue to amaze me. I really appreciate your transparency and honesty. As someone who has put off having children because I fear that work or my brand will suffer you give me so much inspiration because you are out here kicking ass! You keep on being amazing woman. Your family is so lucky to have you at the wheel <3.

  18. I have to applaud you for being able to do all that you do, especially with two little ones. I get stressed out all the time and all I have to do is take care of myself and my cat. Keep up the awesome work. One day at a time!

  19. Such is the life of a mom, Cat. 🙂 The best advice I can give you is to remind yourself that you are doing your best and that’s what counts. After 15 years of being a mom, I’ve finally learned that it’s okay not to be perfect. The important part is that your kids know that you love them (and they do) and that you are doing your best. 🙂

  20. I wish you well in finding your work-life balance. It is a very tough one to strike. Spend the time you need to spend in your “cave”, and hopefully in a state of greater rest, you’ll have the perspective to see how you can change things. Take care : )

  21. **Hug** I’ve so been there….like this morning with the whole move-to-cave thing. My kids were driving me batty and then there was spilled milk, nasty diapers, and mommy screaming. Yeah. You’re awesome and I love your honesty! 🙂

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