MOM Life X WORK Life

Many of you have asked how I do it all, and the answer is I don’t. Often times I feel defeated at the end of the day because maybe I gave 100% at work, but not the same effort as being a mom. We all have this amazing plan on how we are going to parent, what we are and will not do, and at the end of the day nothing works out the way you plan it. My mom didn’t work when I was little, and sometimes I feel guilty that I am doing the complete opposite. Am I not sacrificing enough, am I being a bad mom because I work? And when I say work, I mean working hours that aren’t really consistent with being at home with a kids as much as I like. Those are all the things that run in my head daily, but then on the flip side I have the most amazing husband that does everything that I can’t.

Why do I work?

I work because I really love and enjoy what I do. I love the consistency, and lets just be real my blog hasn’t jumped off where I can just walk out of my full time job. Granted, working is a luxury and a way to provide additional income for my family. Like who doesn’t want that extra shopping money right?!

How do I balance work and kids?

I try to make sure at least once a month I am off on a weekend so that we can do fun things. One good thing about my work schedule is that I am off two days during the week. This gives me time to hang out with my kids and really work on different things with them. At the end of the day your children come first, but I don’t think we should feel guilty (even though I do sometimes) about working. Of course no mom wants to miss out on their first step, first word, or the moment that they poop everywhere (okay we can pass on that moment) but working can be a good thing. I think its great for kids to learn how to be independent without their parents. Be able to go to others with out throwing a fit because they are only use to us.

Another great thing about my job is that I make my own schedule every week, and I am the only one at my job that has children. If I have something with the kids they are always wanting me to be with them, and very supportive.

How do you blog with kids?

One part of my blog that I love the most is that I get to capture so many memories with Ashton and Aubri that may not have been captured if I didn’t blog. Ashton loves being in front of the camera, and in this particular post both of them enjoyed jumping in the bed. It is the little things sometimes that make my heart melt, and I don’t even realize how much fun we are having. My husband enjoys it because he gets to shoot us and really be active as well. Its a family effort! Aubri is slowly starting to warm up to the camera and wanting to be involved because Ashton is.

What does a typical work day look like?

Well this question can be answered 3 ways, but I will just go with the easiest answer. If I open at work I usually have to be there at 8am. That means that I get up at 6am and help Ahmad get the kids ready for the day. Help him load them in the car, then its my turn to get ready for work. I try to leave the house by 7am (long commute) and work from 8am-4:30. Ahmad will pick them up from Ms. Norma or my in-laws, and have them until I get home. As soon as I get home the kids are ready to play, eat, or you know just attack you with screaming and hugs. They have already played with my sister Erica at that point and drove her crazy (in a good way of course), and now Ahmad can do whatever it is he wants to do. Its like clockwork! I feel like it has become a normal routine at this point. Once the kids go to bed around 8 or 9, its then time for me to focus on my grad school work and the blog. Once I do a blog post, I then log into school and finish whatever assignments I have to do. Talk about going to bed at midnight sometimes trying to get it all done.

How to balance it all?

I feel like you need a support system. I don’t know what I would do without everyone that helps us out. At the same time you have to be comfortable in wanting help. We can’t do it all. Try to make a schedule and communicate on how you will get everything done.

At the end of the day, being a mom is my first priority! I wanted to do this post because I know there are so many moms out there that are in the same boat as me. We can’t do it all, but hey women have been working for years and getting it all done. I think that we are sometimes so hard on ourselves. Just relax, have me time, and be the best MOM you can be!

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*I have also added a few of my favorite dresses for Easter*