I read a great post on Casual Friday Everyday about good tips when you work at home with a baby. It is timely for me, as we are expecting a baby in mid-late May and I have been trying to figure out how I will get any work done.
On my beauty blog, I figure I can do many, many tutorials on how to cover dark circles – ha!
What I have planned … and you experienced mamas can laugh if this is so not feasible, but I have invested in Voice Recognition software (specifically MacSpeech, but you can use Dragon Naturally Speaking on a PC). I figure when I am slightly conscious enough to write posts, articles or work on projects, I can sit at the computer with the baby in a sling (provided she is willing) and “talk my writing” into my computer.
I have been practicing for a few weeks and it works surprisingly well! I have “chatted” into Skype while speaking, tweeted. written a few blog posts and even created an article. I am not saying it is perfect, but it certainly did the job and with more practice I think it will be awesome. I can go back and edit and tweak later, when I have two hands. Or maybe I will never type again!
I am also very blessed that my husband is going to take 4 months off, so one will do the late shift (me!) and one will do the morning shift (ewww – him). Because my autoimmune condition worsens with stress, I think having him home will help so much. We are also going to get a Pack and Play for our little office, we will really be on top of each other then, but it will be worth it.
Other than that, I am not planning on doing too much – having low expectations will mean I won’t be disappointed. I just plan to go with the flow and not get too stressed. Being a WAHM is so important to me, and I will do whatever I have to, to make it work.
I would love to hear from other expectant WAHMs about what you plan on doing and WAHMs who have been there, done that and have to offer us your sage wisdom.
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I actually found that I had a lot of time with both my babies when they were newborns. They didn’t do much except lay around, sleep and breastfeed so I had ample time to get my writing done.
I did a lot of my reading (ebooks, RSS feeds, etc.) while I rocked with them and I did as much writing while they were asleep. I’m sure you’ll find that you’ll get into a routine quickly enough.
The one thing I couldn’t live without was my Fisher Price bouncer. My babies both LOVED that thing and it allowed me to keep them really close while I worked.
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Thanks Cassie! You have given me some hope i may be able to get work done :) And I will definitely getting a bouncer!
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I have never been a WAHM, but would love to. I recently had a baby and during my maternity leave, I got nothing done. I slept, nursed, ate and took showers when friends came over. My husband is a WAHD but he slept during the day because he took the night shift. Since you have the support of your husband and you have a plan I think everything should be fine. The only think I would suggest is try to get some stuff done in advance so you have at least a week or two to get comfortable and use to your baby. My son didn’t require a lot of attention as a newborn but as he got older he didn’t understand the concept of toys. Humans was his toys and he want someone in his face all day. He enjoyed pulling on noses, lips and poking the eyes. But that’s my fault, I did, and still do, a lot of eyes, nose, mouth play.
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Felicia, I hope you get to be a WAHM one day soon! Thanks for the great advice, I am working like a mad woman trying to get lots of work done (including interning here!) not to mention all of the baby stuff. Your son sounds so cute!! :)
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