Amy resides in Pennsylvania. She is a wife and mother of two young boys. Amy is a part-time instructor at a local college and a marketing communications consultant with Flexcom Consulting. http://www.flexcomconsulting.com
I’m inspired. Since becoming a mom almost 4 years ago, I have met countless moms on the playground, in playgroups, and at preschool. We would engage in light conversation about our wonderful children, their milestones, their funny quirks, and of course sharing issues, in addition to swapping stories about “what we used to do” as if it were a lifetime ago. Interestingly enough, one thing that I began to realize is that, we are not just MOMS. Whether we recognize it or not, we are teachers, artists, chefs, caregivers, nutritionists, housekeepers, and let’s not forget social directors.
Although I am in the early stages of motherhood, I have met many talented moms who have found creative ways to balance motherhood and the working world.
Perhaps one of the most creative moms I met established a mom and baby exercise program. Just what every mom needs—an outlet to exercise after having a baby and no worry of what to do with the baby! After joining this group, the seeds of my inspiration were planted.
Pre-baby, I was a marketing and special events coordinator at a university in Philadelphia, PA. With my skill set in marketing communications, I always thought there would be a way I could somehow do this in my “spare” time when I became a stay-at-home mom, but could it really be that easy? Would I really have spare time?
My biggest concern was:
Could I really find time to work and still be a “super” stay-at-home mom?
I think of myself as a modern-day “old school” mom. I am a wife and a stay-at-home mom to two delightful boys, Spencer, age 3, and Cooper, age 1. I am also a working mom, who found a balance in her household and in life!
Here’s a little background.
I met my husband (now a medical resident) in high school. We went to college knowing full well we would get married upon graduation. After we were married, I enrolled in a graduate program with the intention of some day becoming marketable enough to do the work I love and work the schedule I wanted. Ultimately, my focus was on my one true desire – having a family.
Three-plus years later, my plan is reality.
I landed my first job in the Admissions Office at a local community college before graduating from my undergraduate program. It was a priority. I was getting married and my husband was going to start medical school, so my job was our lifeline. This was my part of the deal. I would work while he went to school and someday, he would work so I could raise our family.
Although my ultimate dream was to stay home with my children, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed working. I enjoyed the challenge, I enjoyed working with others, and I enjoyed the paycheck! I also have a love of learning, which led me back to school to earn a Master’s degree in Education. With my degree in hand, I began teaching part-time at the community college in the evening and I eventually left my job in Admissions Office and accepted the position as Marketing and Special Events Coordinator at a local university. Everything was falling into place.
Time for baby.
Just like that, I found out I was expecting our first son, Spencer. We could not have been more excited. However, it also brought about some questions:
- Could we afford to drop back to one income?
- Could I give up the fulfillment I receive from working hard and working in a job I love?
- What was being a stay-at-home mom really going to be like? Could I work part-time?
- How could I leave a nursing baby?
Fortunately, I was presented with an unbelievable opportunity which answered all my questions. I was asked to keep my current job as a marketing and events planner and was able to work from home on my own schedule. I was thrilled! This was a huge relief. Since my desire was to be home with my son, this took pressure off my husband and myself, as any extra income would prove beneficial. In my new position, I averaged a 10-15 hour workweek from the comfort of my living room. I was able to work while my son napped, or when my husband was home to cover me, or even after my son went to bed at night. It was the perfect situation. The laundry may have taken a backseat, but I was able to keep my mind in the “game” and earn a little extra money for my household.
In addition to working from home, I continued to teach one night each week. Again, this proved to be a wonderful opportunity. Admittedly, some nights, it was difficult to leave a 3-month-old even though it was only for a few hours. Although I would nurse him before work and leave a bottle of milk I had pumped earlier in the day, it was tough to leave a crying baby. I was miserable and stressed every time that one day came around, but continued telling myself that I was working to help my family.
Bottom line, he survived, I survived and by the time he was 6-months-old and eating solid foods, I actually enjoyed getting out one night a week because I knew he was happy and could go longer periods of time without my milk. This also proved to be a great bonding experience for dad.
Two years later, when my second son, Cooper, was born, I decided to “retire” from my at-home job. I was fearful that I would not be attentive enough to my oldest son, who was more active and napped less. Additionally, I wanted time to have my family time without the pressure of deadlines. It was a natural transition. The job had afforded me a wonderful opportunity to develop an extra skill set - being disciplined and organized to work productively from home - that I hoped I would be able to utilize again some day.
I continued to work my one night a week teaching and, surprisingly, it was much easier to leave two children than just one. Spencer was now a little helper and Cooper, a very “relaxed” little baby, always seemed happy to be with his big brother.
New possibilities.
So, here I am today with a three-year-old and a one-year-old and thinking that now might be a good time to integrate some work back into my schedule. After all, my three-year-old attends school three mornings a week, my one-year-old takes three-hour naps rather consistently, and both are asleep by seven o’clock in the evening!
I started thinking about working again, but I wasn’t sure how this would work. Sometimes it seems that just thinking about something can make it happen.
New opportunity.
Out-of-the-blue, a good friend called—she had started her own communications consulting business and she wanted me to join her team. Talk about karma. Like me, she’s a young mom with kids and the underlying value in her company (Flexcom Consulting) is family first.
New inspiration.
All of the consultants at Flexcom are stay-at-home moms! We have flexible schedules and work with clients who appreciate and value our work and are flexible regarding deadlines.
Our children vary in ages, which make some of us available during the day and some during the evening. Some are able to attend on-site meetings and some can work only from home. We have the ability to make our own schedules and take time off in-between projects. If we need time away, we have the ability to pass projects to another consultant or make other scheduling arrangements. We choose our projects and our schedules. I am excited to see how this all works out – consulting on my terms and producing added income for my family!
The thing I love most about my new job is that my work fits my schedule. I can continue to take my children to school, the YMCA, their gym classes, soccer games, and other fun playgroup activities.
I’m excited about being a mom and having a challenging job that gives me the opportunity to learn and grow. I will continue to strike a balance between family, wellness, and work. I will also continue to find the new possibilities, new opportunities, and new inspiration in all that I do.
Remember the mom I mentioned who started her own exercise group for moms and babies? Well, she happens to be my first client at Flexcom. Moms helping moms, it just feels good. Although it has only been a few months since joining Flexcom, I feel a new fulfillment in my life. As for being a “super” mom, Spencer sings a song when I fix something, which is often when dealing in train tracks and Legos. It goes, “Super Mommy to the rescue!” That works for me.
So, if you have a desire to try something new, know that it is possible. Planning and scheduling play a big part and of course making sure you find the right balance.
Please comment below. We love hearing how other moms "do it all".
