After reading Kimberly's long explanation for the reason for starting this particular group about coping with raising a family and having a successful real estate career, I had to join and offer my two cents.  Kimberly, I feel your pain!  When I joined the real estate business almost 24 years ago, I was pregnant with our first child.   After he was born and just when I thought things were starting to "kick in" with my personal business, I became pregnant with our second child so once again took some time off after she was born. 

My kids are now 24 and 21 both are married and my youngest got her real estate license last summer saying - "the real estate business did pretty good financially for you and Dad so it must be good enough for me and my family".  I wanted to scream at her - "ARE YOU KIDDING?????  Don't you remember those days and nights I wasn't home and you complained!!!!"   I still have hanging on my bulletin board in my office a card my daughter made on the computer - one of those cheesy greeting card programs from the 90's - which states "Welcome home from work - I missed you"  But I gently reminded her of the long hours she would have to work, especially in the beginning.  She said she remembered and was fine with that and hoped she could be as successful at raising a family and having a career in real estate as I was!  How could I argue with that?

Yes, there were times I missed something or other because of an appointment or two.  Yes, there were times the kids revolted and didn't like that I missed something or other.  However, I would venture to guess that all kids revolt and feel their parent didn't do something right no matter what job that parent has.  I know I did with my dad!  There were times I had to explain to my kids that in order for us to be able to pay bills and/or have extras (trips, nice extras at home, etc.) I needed to keep certain hours. 

I can remember feeling first proud and then miserable when we went to one of our son's early grade school dinners where all the parents were invited.  Each child was asked to draw a picture of something they liked to do with their parents or something their parents liked to do and then stand up and share it with everyone in the room.  My son drew a line down the middle of his paper.  On one side he drew a picture of he and his dad playing catch with a football.  On the other side was a picture of a house with a for sale sign in front and me along with clients in front of it with his description saying"My mom likes to sale houses".  He even had the color of my jacket and the sign in front of the house in the proper colors for the franchise we had at the time.  I thought - how cool - now everyone will know for sure I'm in the real estate business and perhaps I'll get some business out of it.  However, then it began to creep into my mind that he thought of something fun with his dad that included our son in the activity.  But he didn't when he thought of me.  That ate at me for some time.

At the other end of the sprectrum, I'll share another story I have shared with others - I had my son in the car with me one day as I delivered a contract to another agent - he was about 12 or 14 at the time - He saw in the development we drove through that the houses were much bigger than anything he had ever seen or been in or we could afford.  He asked "Mom, why don't we live in a big house like that?"  Thinking back to that picture he drew years ago, I answered - "Well, honey, for us to be able to afford to live in a house like that I would have to be away from home working far more often than I was now and not able to spend as much time with you and your sister"  His response was "That's OK, Mom.  We can stay in touch by email!"  I just laughed!

After a few years in the business, as my career in real estate grew stronger, I was able to be stronger in telling clients I was not available during family events.  I was amazed at the "freedom" and "confidence" I felt the first time I acutally told a client - I'm sorry I can't meet you on Monday but how about Tuesday? or I can't meet you at 6:00 but how about 8:30? and they actually said "Sure, no problem!"  How liberating that was!

Kimberly, I also work alone (or did until my daughter joined the business).  I gave it a try with an assistant once but it didn't work out and i got burned.  I haven't had the gumption to try it again since.  Did I do as much real estate business as I know I could have done during those growing years - absolutely not.   However, anytime I was asked by a potential client why, I always stated that I kept my clientel to a manageable number on purpose so I could spend time with my family and keep my sanity.  I chose ON PURPOSE to maintain my business in such a fashion.  Most potential clients became actual clients as they felt more important that I chose to "accept" them as a client versus taking everyone who called!  Even if you do accept everyone who calls - they don't have to know that!  

I hope you are keeping your sanity - if I can help offer any words of wisdom to you or anyone else, don't hesitate to contact me directly!  Take care and enjoy your life and your kids - they grow quickly and will be gone out of the house before you know it!!