WAHM, WAHP or whatever the acronym the idea of working from home in order to spend more time with your children can be an attractive one. The practicalities however mean that there is no longer that traditional separation of home from work. There is no longer the option to leave your work at work because it is now always at home with you.
From talking to other WAHPs it appears the location of the workspace within the home is a big issue. Many people just dont have the space for an area that is just for work and instead are set up in spare bedrooms, their own bedrooms, cramped corners in shared living spaces. So how do you stop work, have a break, take the weekend off, when those unfinished orders are always there in the corner of your vision? I know I feel guilty if I am just sitting watching TV when I could have busy hands working on an order, in fact I feel I SHOULD have busy hands working on an order.
And on the flip-side how do you finish any work in timely fashion when there are always household matters to attend to. The washing piling up in the laundry, the breakfast dishes in the sink, the dirty floors that when you leave the house to go to work may still be there when you get home but when you work from home they are there, calling your name as you sit amongst the unfinished (or my case un-started!) housework trying to work.
I have found that, yes working from home can be a very satisfying experience “ I can feel like I am still contributing to the household (although if truth be told all I am really doing is funding my fabric addiction), I am spending time with my children while they are small (and they are definitely growing too fast for my liking) and I can craft to my hearts content but at times I do miss that interaction of a workplace, the relief of it finally being Friday with 2 full days of work free time stretching out into the horizon, the regular pay check (most of all that regular pay check!)
So where do you work? How do you switch off? Can you come and clean my house so I can sew?
Post brought to you by Oz Handmade
I have been thinking about all of this for the last month or so. As a WAHM who is trying to get a small business in handmade baby items off the ground, it’s just not working. I don’t have enough time to cut, sew etc and spend time with my growing very fast 2 year old. Let alone wash dishes, laundry and have the house looking neat. To be honest, it doesn’t bring in a sufficient income and I feel I am continually getting agro with my son. To me, it’s just not worth the stress. I was hoping being a WAHM would give me more time to spend with my son, but it has really been the opposite, and the time i am actually spending with him is full of frustration and my mind is continually on sewing. For the mums who can juggle this, I have complete respect for, but for this WAHM I think it’s back to the workplace.
Good article.
Personally I don’t think that being a WAHM in handmade {doing everything yourself} is a way to make a sustainable or noticeable income if you are willing unless you sacrifice in other areas.
For me I do it for a love of handmade & because I enjoy it, it certainly isn’t about the money. Thankfully I am a night owl, have a helpful partner around the house and the hard work of getting out there is behind me {started in 2006}.
Tanya,
Funny you say that, I remember when my son was born (he is now almost 15) that I had huge ideas about all the great sewing I was going to do for him, I wanted him to wear handmade. I think I made him 2 items including his christening outfit, and also curtains and quilts for his bed. But then I remember my machines being packed up and only ever came out of their storage spot for mending. Then my daughter was born and I thought of all the lovely girly things I could make her. I made her a doona cover when she went into a big bed and I also made her christening gown I think she was 4 before my machines came out again. But now I have a lovely studio a space of my own and I sew most days when they are at school. I take my hat off to those mums out their that can juggle babies/toddlers and being a WAHM.