5 Ways I Put My Family First as a Work at Home Mom in the Summer #imENOUGH

Today’s post is sponsored by The Mrs. All  opinions are my own and my opinion is that I’m Enough!

#imEnough, are you?

I watched this video from The Mrs Band recently and realized that if I were to stand in front of this mirror today, I WOULD be able to say #imEnough.

This summer has been a bit rough at times though.

During this past school year, I definitely became much more “Work at Home Mom” than “Stay at Home Mom” and I found it suited me very well.

My son is in school full time and my daughter, even though she was still in preschool, was able to have an extended day 3 times a week.

This gave me a good chunk of the day to get my work done, errands ran and to really enjoy quality time with the kids when they were not at school. In fact, I did not work much in their presence. I did not need to!

Summer has blown that all to smithereens though.

Not me. Might as well be though!

No longer do I have 4-8 hours each weekday to get my work done and kick back as mom in the evening. My work is now fit in between my regularly scheduled stay at home mom duties.

First, let me be clear, I am not complaining*. I LOVE my life and I LOVE that I get to work from home and enjoy my kiddos all summer long. However, I’d be a big fat liar if I didn’t admit that I’ve had my share of moments where I have felt completely and utterly defeated since school officially let out.

I either give to my work (yey! My readers are happy, I feel professionally satisfied and I’m helping to generate income for my family!) or I give to my family (yey! My kids feel cherished and loved! My husband comes home to a playful and well kept home! Everything is perfect!), and sometimes it feels like a balance between the two is just never achievable.

During the school year, man…I have it TOGETHER.

During the summer? I wonder, am I enough?

Am I enough of a provider for my family? Am I enough of a wife for my husband? Am I enough of a mother to my children?

What it comes down to is priorities.

My priorities are very clear to me. My family and my children come first. Before work. Always.

Now, this does not mean that I get up and leave my work behind every time my kids want to play Just Dance for the 3rd time of the day.

What this does mean is that I  invest in them before I invest in my work. I schedule my day so that I take them places, I spend time with them and I leave work behind so that they feel as important to me as they are.

I love my work and I enjoy what I do for a living. My income is necessary for our family to continue living the life we enjoy currently.

At the end of the day, I just have to believe that #imEnough. As long as I have my priorities in order, #imEnough. So what if the dishes pile in the sink and a deadline gets met a day late? If my family feels loved and cherished this summer, #imEnough.

Here are 5 ways I make sure I keep my priorities in order and keep my family first:

1. Take Days Off

I (mostly) take weekends off. (since I work for myself, I am my own boss and my hours are set by ME!)

2. Set Them up For Success

When I am going to work, I try to set my kids up doing something so they don’t constantly wander over to me complaining “I’m bored”. Yes this means too much TV gets watched and too many video games get played during the summer. This (mostly) means I can focus on my work and get things done in a shorter period of time. Therefore freeing up my time to be with them much faster!

3. Be Predictable

I try to work a predictable schedule as much as possible. During the summer, it’s not the 9-2 schedule I typically work during the school year, but I pretty reliably work a bit in the morning, a bit in the afternoon and then a bit at night after my husband gets home. With kids in general, predictability and schedule is a must!

4. Get OUT of the House!

I try to take the kids OUT OF THE HOUSE at least once a day for a few hours. When I am home, work beckons me. When I leave the house, the stress just melts away!

5. Remember the Perks of Working From Home – Take Advantage of Them!

I remember I am a work FROM HOME mom. This means I can take breaks to cuddle. I can go hop in the pool with the kids instead of writing this post 😉 . I try to take advantage of the perks of being a work at home mom whenever I can. I try not to let my to do list take away from this wonderful blessing I have and take breaks every little bit to check in on my kids, love on them and spend some good quality time with them. After all, that’s why I love being a work at home mom in the first place!

I love this social media campaign from The Mrs. band and really felt like I wanted to join in. Sometimes we need to change that self defeating inner voice whispering (sometimes SCREAMING) at us and just whisper back, “NO…I am ENOUGH. I am fearfully and wonderfully made!”

Please join in and post your own #imENOUGH selfie and let’s start a revolution!

Are you struggling this summer? Do you feel like your priorities are in order? Comment below and let me know! 

*This is not a work from home/stay at home/work out of the home mom debate. This is my personal story about my own struggle.