One of the most frustrating aspects of being a work-at-home mom is juggling the responsibilities I have for not only my work, but my children, as well. In the time that it took to complete the first sentence of this paragraph, I was yanked by the hand of my two-year-old daughter to insist I make a hot dog, the buns, of which, are still frozen. Likewise, my son is entrenched in a video game in which only my master skills as Super Mario can defeat the bad guy. Currently, I don’t know what my eight-year-old is up to. *Yes, I feed my children hot dogs and allow them to play the occasional video game. I even lose track of them throughout the day (never in public, mind you).*
The struggle to find “balance” between work and family is not a new one, and it occurs whether you work in a structured office or at your dining room table. That’s why it’s good to know there are other moms out there like me, specifically mothers who are now shunning the corporate life and opting, instead, for careers as full-time freelancers. Technically, I never had a corporate life to give up; I just added to the chaos that is my life when I decided to start working from home.
Freelance Parent is a new site run by friends and business partners, Lorna Doone Brewer and Tamara Berry. They started their new business venture in August 2007 and see Freelance Parent as a place where all freelancers, not just freelance writers, can feel comfortable and share their experiences.
Please take a few moments to visit Lorna and Tamara and add Freelance Parent to your list of “must reads.”
My two-year-old is now sitting on my lap chanting, “PUMA!” while precariously balancing an open cup of lukewarm cider. I don’t know what the heck she means by PUMA, but I know spilled cider on my laptop wouldn’t be a good thing . . .

11 comments
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September 17, 2007 at 7:59 am
Jen
Maybe she would like some new shoes. PUMA’s are very chic for 2 year olds. J/K! I hear ya on this. If only I had a full-time helper available for when I need to get jobs done.
September 17, 2007 at 8:04 am
Mary
My favorite part of freelancing probably has been explaining to the person I’m interviewing that the screaming child in the background is not in any danger or pain — she’s just refusing to take a nap.
September 17, 2007 at 9:46 am
Stacy
Yep, sounds like my house. Some days I’d probably be more effective in both worlds (work and home) if I just crawled into the corner in the fetal position. Having two kids is gonna rock my world, eh?
September 17, 2007 at 11:32 am
Stephanie
Working from home is crazy, but also extremely rewarding. I am so thakful that I have the option.
My daughter is trying to crawl on to my lap at the moment, holding up her little farm animal toys as if to say, “mama, come play!” (She’s only one and can’t actually say that yet…). Gotta run…
September 17, 2007 at 12:54 pm
Chrissy
I am jealous of your dilema, but you already know that.
Is it bad to feed the kids hot dogs??? I think not!
September 17, 2007 at 1:09 pm
Sonya
Somedays I wish I was freelancing at home so I can stay with my little ones. We all do our best with our home and work situation.
September 17, 2007 at 1:10 pm
Sonya
Somedays I wish I was freelancing at home so I can stay with my little ones. We all do our best with our home and work situation.
September 17, 2007 at 2:19 pm
Debi
Oh gosh, Melissa…as always, this was a wonderful post. Thoughtful, full of good info, etc. But, girl, I’m afraid you lost me with the cup of lukewarm cider…I will now be able to think of nothing else until I manage to satisfy my yearning tastebuds!
September 17, 2007 at 2:24 pm
kristi
Thanks for sharing these sites. Working from
home while caring for small children is a constant juggling act, and at times incredibly stressful, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. I love freelancing and it’s my goal to make enough money to never have to re-enter the corporate world again.
September 17, 2007 at 7:12 pm
Monica
Thanks for the chuckle. I too have lost track of my children when I get caught up in work. I’ve bookmarked the site you mentioned.
September 20, 2007 at 2:10 pm
lornadoone
Melissa,
Thanks so much for the mention! It’s been great having you commenting over at the new blog. It’s already starting to feel like its own little community, which is what Tamara and I really wanted from the beginning.