Welcome to the Work From Home Mama

Quick introduction: My name is Mara, and I’m a badass. Why am I a self-proclaimed badass? Because I work from home and take care of my baby. And if you’re in the same situation, you’re a badass too. If there’s anything you fellow WFH Parents get from my blog, I hope it is that: You’re a badass. 

Being the primary care giver for a baby is hard. Stay at home parents will be quick to correct the notion that they sit around and do nothing. Babies and kids in general keep you busy. Whether it is soothing them during teething or that accursed sleep regression, feeding them, or just interacting with them because they love mommy and daddy and want their attention - there’s rarely a dull moment. 

Being the primary caregiver for a baby while working a full time job from home? It’s a juggling act like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. Since COVID, it’s also becoming more common. In the Facebook group I’m in for babies born in the same month, there are enough of us that we have a chat designated for WFH moms. I really appreciate that because so often, it feels like we’re alone on our own island with our little ones. The sense of community is definitely something I crave.

I’ve been on this WFH parent path since my sweet girl was born last fall. When I first started, I was clueless as to how to do it. Not only am I a work from home mom, but I’m a first time mom as well. All cards on the table: I’m almost 40 and was ready to be that cool aunt with maybe one too many cats before I met my husband two years ago. Now I actually have a cat and a dog along with a new baby and three stepkids. Life has definitely given me whiplash and a steep learning curve. 

When I first started this path, I was constantly doing research and looking for other moms like me to see how they managed it. What I found was a lot of articles on working from home or working from home with a baby, but nothing with any real solid tips or tricks to help me through it. I did find some forums with threads where people offered the advice of “getting a nanny or daycare.”

Thanks, Asshats. I hadn’t thought of that but feel free to pay for it in today’s economy. 

/endsarcasticsidenote

That being said, I decided to document my journey. The good the bad, and the ugly crying. The products I’ve tried and the ones I’m hoping to try. No, I don’t get kickbacks for any of these products I give praise to. If I ever get to that point (doubtful but a gal can dream of free stuff falling into her lap), then I’ll slap a disclaimer on there to let you know. 

Amazon

Since I’m documenting my journey, a bit more of an intro than “I’m a badass” is probably necessary. I’m not the kind of mom who does yoga and drinks smoothies or has healthy habits even close to that. My water bottle says “Drink your effing water” because I need someone to bitch at me to do it or I won’t. I’m not knocking those moms. Hell, I wish I was one of those moms. But instead I am the pajama wearing, soda drinking, still haven’t lost the baby weight, my tangled ponytail takes messy buns to the next level type mom. We live in a two bedroom apartment and somehow make it work while we save for a house. I work full time for an insurance agent who is quite possibly the best boss in existence. And my husband works rotating 12 hour shifts. 

We don’t have a babysitter. We have wonderful family members who love our little girl immensely and also have lives and jobs of their own. And we cannot afford for either one of us to quit our jobs. That probably won’t stop people from commenting with those suggestions, but might as well try. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Now let’s get to the good shit, shall we?