I work from home and I try my best to not let that get in the way of my main responsibility as a mother. Yesterday my parenting skills, time management skills and my person as a whole were tested.
I love my job as a writer, blogger, online merchant and social media expert. I sit in front of my computer and network with moms from all over the world. These online friendships mean a lot to me because I am stuck in this house with four small children all day long. Online is my only way of communicating with sane adults until my husband comes home.
Some days it feels like I have two jobs – my at-home social media job and daycare provider. Staying at home with my children is supposed to be fun, but most days it just feels like another job. I failed miserably at that job yesterday.
At 12:30 in the afternoon I finished my article on my blog and blasted it across all of my social networks. I had already commented on several blogs and finished checking my books for my online store. Excited about quitting early I realized that it was awfully quiet in the house. In fact it was too quiet.
All the kids were upstairs, including little monkey. “Sh*t!” I thought. “What are they up to now?”
I was horrified when I saw the destruction in the boys’ bedroom. Somehow the three kids got into Goose’s room and found a purple Sharpie. They then created elaborate drawings all over the walls. Every single wall in that bedroom of our beautiful RENTED house is now covered with bright purple marker. I nearly died.
Today I am questioning my parenting skills. Should I have been upstairs along with the kids instead of downstairs communicating to all of you through this fascinating online world? Maybe I need to think harder about how I manage my time. Or maybe this was just destined to happen and there is no way I could have prevented it. I still think I failed miserably.
As I write this I am waiting for Monkey to wake up from his nap so I can attempt once more to get all the purple marks off the walls. A friend suggested I try using lighter fluid. The fresh bottle of magic liquid is waiting on the counter for me. I’ll let you all know if it works. If it doesn’t then we need to confess to the management company and hope that they let us paint.
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Sorry that happened. No matter how much you watch them sometimes that still happens. I heard one of those "magic eraser" sponge things works good on marker.
Try that Mr. Clean magic sponge thing! I bet it will work,, we used that when our kids created art on our wall.
I came up with the same suggestion as Sheila, the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. I know it works wonders on crayon.
I have worked from home since my youngest was born. I found I wasn't able to do it without help. I couldn't care for children and work at the same time. We had a nanny with my oldest and my youngest went to daycare. Neither was full-time but it gave me the chance to work uninterrupted.
Anne and Sheila,
I tried the magic eraser and it didn't work. Although, it was a generic version I got at the Dollar Tree. Maybe I should try the real one.
Also, I wish that I could afford a nanny or daycare for my kids, but with four small children at home this is impossible. I need to start really making good money with Mom's Natural Health and Wellness Shop first.
Thanks for your comments!
Hey, wow! I felt like I just read my life (or a close version of it). I know exactly how you feel. Tough jobs but so very worth it.
Oh no! I hope you managed to find a way to remove the mess..
I can so relate to you being busy, working from home and blog as well. I don't have small children anymore though. I don't think you are a bad mom at all, things happen even when watching them.
Try hair spray, sounds weird, but it got pen marks off of my couch!
Something like that is bound to happen at some point, don't feel bad because you were blogging when it did. You could have been making lunch, taking a shower, or something…
I hope your able to clean it off, good luck!
i keep my online activity to just occasional tweets when I'm at home and kids are awake. I can't maintain a clear thought with them running around anyway.