First job in 10 yrs (stay at home mom) any advice?

[mad hatter fan]

I have been a stay at home mom for the last 10 years. I have 3 kids, DS10, DD6, DS3. I just got a job and I am excited , but a little apprehensive at the same time. I guess you could say I've never had a real job before, going straight from college and being a nanny to having a family of our own. I will be working from home and I will probably only use childcare for my youngest infrequently. I have a friend who lives close by that would do it for me occasionally for a good price. I have to find my own clients so I will be building business slowly which is good for the age of my youngest. (we can transition into "Mommy also works now" slowly) I will be a travel agent, selling mostly Disney destinations of course!

Does anyone have any advice for me? Like how did transitioning from exclusively a stay at home mom to working go for you? Any advice on occupying young kids during important phone calls, etc. without overdoing TV? Thanks everyone!

Jackie

 

[sameyeyam]

I stayed at home for 8 weeks of maternity leave with each of my two children. Other than that I have been employed full time. The most important advice I can offer is to ignore other's that criticize your choice to work while having children. Trust me you will hear it! You would really think it's 1906 instead of 2006 by some people's attitudes.

Do what works for your family and be proud of your choices! Let your children know that you are proud of your choice as well. Let them grow up knowing that women can be whatever they want (stay at home mom, working mom, or President of the US).

I am very proud to be a working mother. I have built a wonderful retirement nest egg for myself, I have set up college funds for both of my children, we live in a nice home on 2 acres and have no debt other than a small home mortgage. And we get to take awesome vacations (especially WDW every year)! I know that many people might say that material things aren't important - but I won't lie, I think they are. My job and the money it provides have made our lives very comfortable and my children really don't want for anything. I really don't feel like I have missed my children growing up as some might say.

I truly applaud every mother's choice and fully support my friends no matter what they decide about employment after having children. Have fun at your new job & remember to listen to your heart & your head and don't let other's ideas influence your decision.

Now about the phone problem: How about offering your 10 year old a job? Everytime you are on the phone she can earn $1.00 or $2.00 by keeping the younger one's occupied with pre-selected activities. Or how about keeping a jar full of quarter's by the phone? Everytime you are on the phone and the kids keep quiet, reward them with their own little paycheck!

 

[mad hatter fan]

bump!

 

[my4kids]

I really think that you should at least pay a mothers helper to play with your little one if you are going to be on the phone or occupied alot.....You will be shocked how little you will get done with getting up for juice etc. alot...and when they feel they are being ignored, they want/need more. I have a mother that was a phone-aholic growing up...she didn't work, but was always on the phone and the rule was she could not be disturbed when she was on the phone....honestly, I still remember the feeling of desperation and abandonment from this...she has/had no idea what it did to us...she felt she was a good mom and there all the time and cooking meals etc...but I remember feeling very alone.

 

[mad hatter fan]

I expect it will be quite some time before I get to the point of worrying that I am on the phone too much, since I have to find my clients on my own. It will probably take a few years to build up a large client base. This is definely not an instant full time job or even have time job. That will work out ok though, since by the time it is more full time my youngest will be school age. Any suggestions on what has worked for you to occupy the kids during an occasional important phone call? Thanks.

 

[gottalovethem]

I know you said you are not a fan of the TV thing, but try to arrange my important calls during our afternoon "rest" time. Baby, hopefully, will sleep and dd4 and ds3 will watch their shows and for the most part are pretty good.

I like the money jar idea from another poster.

DS also knows where the snacks are and will frequently help himself while I'm on the phone and they are both good about helping out the baby if he is into something he shouldn't be.

After the calls we then go outside and play, go for a walk, read a book or something of the sort as a reward/incentive.

In the past I had them go and pick out books while I was on the phone.

Good luck!

 

[gottalovethem]

OH, and DS loves to sit next to me while I'm typing from my laptop on the couch. Then we are still close, even though we are not doing anything together at the moment.

 

[hanncam]

I have been a stay at home mommy for 8 years, if you don't mind me asking, how did you come across the travel agency job. I would love to do that and it would work out perfectly for my 1 1/2 year old and I could still stay at home.

 

[mad hatter fan]

Believe it or not, it was an add in the Family Fun Magazine. I don't think they are hiring any longer, though I'm not sure. I was really surprised that I got the job seeing I have no travel agent experience and no job expirience at all for the last 10 yrs. I guess they liked all of my Disney knowledge (mostly from here at the Dis of course) and enthusiasum for all things Disney.

 

[sara74]

I have to agree with the advice to get some help - even if it is a teenager in the afternoon once a week or something. It is too hard to do business and be a mom at the same moment and the kids will have an easier time respecting the boundaries when you are working if you set aside some real time to do just work. You will also be far more productive if you can work, however briefly, with no interruptions! If you are serious about making this work, you need a time, and some space, that is all your own for working.

Sameyeam - Amen to your post! I have felt a nice working mom vibe here on the Dis, which is more than I can say for my town and neighborhood. It is nice to see someone articulate some good reasons for moms to choose to work, aside from all the moms who absolutely MUST work to support their families (as my own did) Here's a cheer for one working mom from another!

 

[rsschneck]

I have been a stay at home mom for the last 10 years. I have 3 kids, DS10, DD6, DS3. I just got a job and I am excited , but a little apprehensive at the same time. I guess you could say I've never had a real job before, going straight from college and being a nanny to having a family of our own. I will be working from home and I will probably only use childcare for my youngest infrequently. I have a friend who lives close by that would do it for me occasionally for a good price. I have to find my own clients so I will be building business slowly which is good for the age of my youngest. (we can transition into "Mommy also works now" slowly) I will be a travel agent, selling mostly Disney destinations of course!

Does anyone have any advice for me? Like how did transitioning from exclusively a stay at home mom to working go for you? Any advice on occupying young kids during important phone calls, etc. without overdoing TV? Thanks everyone!

Jackie

I don't have any advice for you because I am opposite of you. I have always worked and have a 9 year old DD. I have 3 days of work left and I am not sure I am going to like the one income only pay days. I just wanted to know how you got your new job because that is the exact job I want!!!!! Advice please