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Your Business? ...Or Your Life?

Sometimes, you have to chose between your business and your life. I'm not talking about whether you chose to breathe or stage, I'm talking about making a choice to continue your business as is or change to better suit the needs of your personal life.

Over the past few months, I have known this choice was coming. Let me backtrack a little....

When I started my staging business 3 years ago, I had been a focused and dedicated stay at home mom for 10 years. Faced with empty and unfocused days as my youngest was starting full day kindergarten, I decided to follow a new path - start a business doing something I love. It seemed simple enough to work during the day and be home when the kids were home ... and it was, since no one had heard of staging at that point and I was spending the majority of my time teaching people what I do...not actually doing it. :(

As the business grew and I spent less and less time at home, I thought it would be okay, since the girls were getting older and much more independent. I was kidding myself. This past year has been the most difficult for my family, especially my oldest daughter. As we struggled through the last part of the school year, I denied that my job had anything to do with her issues, that it was just a bumpy year. This past week, I had an eye opening conversation with her that revealed just how unavailable I had become to this child who was on the verge of becoming a teenager.

While my business was flourishing, I was failing my child. And I find it completely unacceptable.

So, here are my choices? Keep growing my business, try to right everything in the mean time and hope we look back on this some day as a learning experience..... or make some changes to the business and make myself more available to the people who undoubtedly need me the most?

Well, this may be a hard decision for some people, but it is actually a no-brainer for me. I'm not a big believer in the 'having it all' lifestyle. I've seen too many moms who've kidded themselves for years that they are sacrificing nothing when in reality they are just not seeing what has been lost. So, I am adjusting the business. Drastically.

In reevaluating the past few years, I have determined that the portion of my business that takes me away from home the most and is the biggest drain on our lives is staging vacant homes. Not to mention that the inventory is taking over our house - and putting a huge strain on how we live in it. So, effective immediately, I will be phasing out his service from my business.

I will continue to consult for those I have partner agreements with, but will no longer be marketing myself to new agents or offices. Will my business survive? Well, I don't really know, but that is really not my main concern. My main concern is geting my relationship with my precious girls back on track so that they will have the stability they have been missing and need so badly. For now the business will just have to wait.

So...Your business or your Life? I choose life....

Posted by Kimberly Wester on 07/03/2008 01:41 AM

Comments (85)

business dilemnas, choices

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85 Comments on Your Business? ...Or Your Life?

JUL

2008

Wow, Kim. I am a little bit at a loss for words. Of course you are making the right choice for you and your family. Staging vacants is a big drain of time and resources, and there are so many stagers willing to take a job at a loss just to get the job. You are a winner and you will succeed no matter which path you choose to take. Hopefully we will still see you here on AR. Best of luck!

Kimberly- I really do applaud you, because I know you love the business! But, our biggest contribution to the world is our children, and if business is getting in the way of raising our children the way we want, I do believe children are our biggest priority and must come first. You need to pay attention to the signs, and right now, your girls need you. I wish you great luck, and I think your girls are lucky to have you!

Michelle - Thanks so much for the support. I am not leaving AR. I will continue to moderate and contribute - you just won't see any more vacants from me. It's consults and occupieds only from now on, as long is does not take away from the family. I won't be heading down the workaholic path again...at least until the girls move out. :)

Elaine - I agree 100%. There is nothing on this earth I value more than my girls and they were not seeing that from me as much as they should have. I ahve worked hard to get my business where it is, but I have worked harder to raise good kids and I'm not stoping now! Thanks so much for you encouragement and support.

Kimberly, you have most definitely made the right choice! When my son was born, 8 years ago, I was on a hard earned career path, and was faced with the same decision. I worked as a Production Supervisor for the largest automotive manufacturer in the country, and it was not uncommon for supervision to work six and seven days a week. I was a single mother on top of everything else! As it is with you, it was a "no-brainer." My son came first and I can tell you that I have NEVER looked back with any regrets.

I wish you the very best, and respect you SO much....your children will too!

Teresa

Can I just say how proud of you I am right at this moment? I know few women who would make that kind of choice to be honest. I feel the same way though. I was a stay at home mom for 14 years while my kids were young. (I did have some in home businesses which were successful, but they really were in home, not like staging.)

I'm fortunate now, my youngest sounds to be about the age of your oldest (she'll be 12 in just a few days actually). I also have a husband who gets home around 3-4pm (earlier than she gets home from school during the school year) & a 19 yr old son & 16 yr old daughter who help a lot now that I am a full time working mom.

I completely agree with you on the 'having it all' lifestyle.... IMPOSSIBLE while the kids are little. The ones who typically lose are the children. I'm often called old fashioned or even sexist because of it. I've raised my daughters to be stay at home moms when they have kids (time will tell if they will or will not be I guess). I raised my son to find a wife who will want to raise their children & in the process taught him that he will be responsible for making enough money to support his family without her having to work. (Now if she chooses to work, who am I to argue?)

Last year, with my daughter entering 6th grade there were some bumps & honestly we faced the same things you recently did. Fortunately in our case, it really was just a bump. (I have cut back my hours though & hope to be teaching more next year with my IRIS certification and doing fewer stagings... I'll leave those to my team members if possible.)

Anyway.... for what it is worth, I think you did the right thing and I'm really impressed! Possibly consider getting a business partner (or team member) who you can refer some of that work to though... that might give you the best of both worlds.

Teresa - That is my goal, to NEVER looked back with any regrets. Good for you for choosing your boy. I don't know how any mother could choose differently. Thank you.

Bravo, Kimberly. You won't regret this decision, I can assure you. You made it for all the right reasons and fortunately, it was a decision you could afford to make.

I was pleased to read that you'll still be part of AR and still participate as a moderator. That's great!

Again, great decision on your part!

Kathy

Melissa - Thank you so much for sharing that story with me. I was working when Aimee was born, but after 5 months of having Grandma keep her, I just didn't feel I was doing the right thing for her. I quit my job without thinking twice (though my husband sure did). I guess I am old fashioned, just like you, but I think most people don't take child rearing seriously enough and it shows.

I'm afraid what we dealt with this year was a little more than a bump, unfortunately, though many parents wouldn't take it as seriously as we have. She will turn 13 this month and it is a very fragile age, for sure. My husband works 7:30 to 5:30 Mon - Fri. Period. There is not much flexibility there, so I have to home as much as possible. When I am not home because of the business it is not an even trade.

Unfortunately, again, there are not many active stagers in this area and those I know of do not do vacants. I can't even get them to return my emails or phone calls, so a partnership does not seem possible...

Kathy - Thank you! It's good to know so many of you are here to back me up. I don't know what I would do without you guys, why would I leave? :)

Hi Kim-

I have two daughters, ten years apart in age. With the oldest, I worked and left her daily in the loving hands of grandparents, and they have a close relationship to this day.

With the youngest, I cut my hours back and was able to be a school volunteer, drive her to school every day, etc. Even when she was a teenager getting her learner's permit to drive, we have fond memories of her driving to school and back home with me in the passenger seat singing to her choice of music. I was there for her immediately when she had a bad day at school, boyfriend troubles, etc If you are not there to listen when they are upset, someone else will be listening and advising them. To this day, we have a very close relationship.

My point is that you get back in proportion to what you give, and sometime teenagers need their mom's attention every bit as much as when they are toddlers. You will never regret this decision, Kim!

Kim - That's why I started teaching... I needed reliable team members so I could refer work to them. Other stagers around here also wouldn't return phone calls, emails, etc. It was a challenge that I needed to solve in a unique way.... I'll be happy to share more with you if you think it would be of help. It sort of worked out to be the best of both worlds, if you will....

Kim ~ I applaud you and your decision. There is, of course, nothing to think about when it comes to your business or your life. Your daughter needs you and you heard her. You are absolutely doing the right thing, and your family (and you) will be better for it.

Kim,

Congratulations on making an evolutionary leap! Many of us started in this business because it could be a perfect combo of both worlds, and as their businesses grew, the juggle became more and more difficult. It's so important to look at your business model every six months and evaluate your goals and standards which include the most valuable asset - You and your loved ones.

Time is something we can never get back once its gone, I'm glad your reserving some for something so special.

Here is a new award for you - Balanced Business Women BBW

Kim,

Time is something we can never get back once its gone, I'm glad your reserving some for something so special.

Here is a new award for you - Balanced Business Women BBW

Kimberly,

Sounds like you are very grounded and know what you want! So many women try to juggle it all and everyone loses. You are not saying you want to quit and stay home - you have wisely choosen to set boundaries and keep everything in perspective. Making money is not everything!

I had to back off from a volunteer job I had when my kids were little also because my young daughter said to me one day, "Mom, you like those other kids more than you like me!" Wow! what a wake-up call!

Best of luck to you as you raise your family AND build your business in a BALANCED manner! You are awesome!

Debbie Fiskum, Perfect Transformations, Denver

The right choice is your life and the lives of your loved ones. No doubt you can be busy as you want staging occupieds and if the time is right in the future you can always go back to vacants but you can't go back to raising your family. Good for you.

Good for you Kim! I have been married for 21 years and we have a 14 year old daughter who has been used to us (my husband works from a home office a lot of the time) being around for almost all of her events in her life. She is a wonderful, well rounded, smart, athletic child and I firmly believe it is because she has had her parents in her life supporting her.

I have been working freelance since she was born and started staging last year. I am not so busy yet that it has affected her but I could see it happening if I let it. Starting a new business is a ton of work and can become all consuming.

You are a wonderful parent to recognise this and that you are doing something about it before it is to late. No job is worth your family. There will always be work when they have moved on, if you did it once, you can do it again.

Kimberly, your children are worth everything! You should never think twice about putting them before your business. You are a great mother for adjusting your business to give you time for your girls. I pray that your daughters will enjoy their time with you and your business will thrive in its new format!

Kim: Best wishes to you! Balancing this career with family is difficult and I'm sure you will feel such a sense of freedom letting go of the part that was taking up much of your time. I have a soon to be 14 yr.old daughter so I know where you are coming from. I have struggled trying to find more time to be with her too but it is challenging the busier I get. I wish you the best with your new business plan and more family time! :)

Kimberly, what an open and honest blog. Of course. Good for you doing what is right for you and your family. It's always the right thing if you do it from your heart.

I have a daughter who is 12. She has been staging with me for years on her summer vacation and during breaks when she wants to make money. She is so good! It's been great for both of us. Now that she is almost 13 she doesn't think it's as much fun as she use to! Today I asked her if she wanted to come with me and my crew and she decided to hang out with friends instead :) I love having the option for her though. It's much easier with one I am sure.

Best of luck to you. Kym

Kimberly - good for you and your family! Your story makes me wonder if I should have taken some things more seriously in my fifth grader's life over the last school year. Vacants absolutely take up the most time and resources; my poor 11 year old has done more work on vacant homes with me over the last 3 years than he can probably remember. I am glad that you shared with us as it will be a helpful reminder to some of us moms that we need to pay extra attention to our kids, especially when it seems like we have the least amount of time to do it. You will do great in all of your endeavors, especially with your parenting.

You have followed your heart and mother's instinct Kimberly, there is no better guide. Peace and my prayers be with you.

Kim,

Your children grow up so fast before you even notice ... time with them is so precious. There is no question that in the balance of everything ~ your kids must be #1. Work will always be there when you want to pick it up again full time. It sounds like you've made a great decision and your girls will thank you for it (even if they forget to tell you!)

JUL

2008

Kimberly it is hard to balance home and work. I applaud you for making it work for you.

Kim,

Super post, and I really think it took a lot of thought into making your decision. My wife has been getting to caught into this business, money thing and everything else comes second.

I praise her for her success and mention to her to be careful. Life is very short and you can't take that money and fame with you when you pass.

Thank you for your words!

We all have to do what best works for us and our lives and families. You are doing what you think is best and things will have a way of working out. All the best.

KIMBERLY - Great choice! As long as you are not putting yourself into financial ruin by scaling back your business, there isn't much of a choice. As much as we are all professionals, the bottom line is that our most important job is being a parent. The years go by, and we will not get a second chance to make up for the lost time. Someone that I know went through a similar situation recently, but her job was not as flexible as having your own business. It came down to a choice, and she chose to become a stay-at-home mom, but she had been working ever since her kids were born. She gave her company a significant amount of notice, so she won't start this for another month or so, but the announcement has already made a world of difference to the family. Good luck with your daughter and business.

Lots of ways to deal with this...not sure you have to make a black and white choice...an associate, an assistant...a merger...ways that will free your time...let you have a business and still devote time to being a Mom. You know what feels good, right and how best to manage your time...follow your heart with input from your head and you will live happily ever after. Good Luck !

How wise you are to take this path. Perhaps later, you can rethink your business plan and branch out again. Family is precious.

Kim, As a mom who was raising her children as a single mom when they were small all I can say is MY HATS OFF TO YOU! Why? Because I HAD TO WORK 3 jobs to keep things going and while I thought I was doing the best for my children, they suffered and that hurts.

You cannot replace the times you lost with your loved ones. GOD WILL PROVIDE the right jobs for you in the right times. You, WE, are wives and moms first. The world does not see things like that, but that is the right order and there is where your blessings lie.

You did the right thing. I started my business at the age of 50 and yes my children are grown, BUT this business has COMPLETELY taken over my life and I too struggle with spending the time to fellowship with family and friends. I have Tues and THursday during the day when I don't take appts, ONLY WHEN NECESSARY, and I watch my grandson, have my parents for lunch and catch up on our household. Yes it means working crazy hours the other days, BUT what I have gained is invaluable.

GOD BLESS you and your family and I am sure YOUR BUSINESS will thrive in spite of your decision.

Keep in touch,

Phyllis Pafumi

ttnever goes dmy chHy

Kim, after all these fantastic commenters have given you their kudos I add mine.

When our daughter was college age and had "flown the coop" she came to me and said, "Mom, I want to thank you for all the sacrifices you made for me as I grew up." She was referring to the fact that we had home schooled and that I had chosen to either have a business in which she could be a part or not work out side the home at all.

My response to her was that NO SACRIFICES had been made. Some people may have seen our choice as a sacrifice - smaller house, one car, few meals out, no "vacations," lots of chicken. :) But, I enjoyed all the moments spent with the wonderful baby, toddler, adolescent, pre-teen, teenager, young lady, adult. The adult who became the stay-at-home Mom to our fabulous granddaughter.

For every little thing we "gave up" we received back 10-fold in a daughter who is alive with wonder and excitement with the world, with her God, with the precious gift she has in her own daughter. Her laughter fills my heart with joy to this day. And, her loving, kind, giving spirit make me know beyond doubt we made the right choice.

Was it hard at times? You bet! Did I sometimes wonder if we would stay afloat? Uh huh! Were there times I wanted to do other things? Of course. Yet, when all is said and done and the pro and con columns are compared there is one pro which beats out any cons at all. The pro -- TIME. I had time to get to know my child and time to truly enjoy my child. Who could ask for anything more?

I was a stay at home mom also and when I got into real estate- I told myself that I would NOT let it consume me. I've had times when it did, but I had to step back and yes, I've lost business, but that's okay . I work hard and yes, at times it takes me away from my family, but when it gets to much I STEP BACK. This summer I am working, but I'm primarily with my kids. Good Luck with your business- You have made the right choice!

hey you have made the right decision, I am a stay home mom too, I was in corporate world and quit for my kids, and now I am starting back again but only working when kids are in school and continue doing that until I know kids no longer need me that much. My kids are my first priority.

Shobha

Kim... I'm sure that it was difficult for you to make this decision, but I'm also sure that it will benefit your children in ways that you could have never imagined.

Wise choice....I myself have two children, they are the joy of my husbands and my life, we also choose life! :) Family has always been our first and foremost, you win some business and you lose some.

All the Best!

Cheron Lange

You will never regret spending your time with your children. You are making the right decision.

You're certainly setting a great example for your children, Kim, by making wise choices! Julie

Good for you Kimberly. It sounds like you have definitely done the right thing for your family and for yourself. Your kids must be so happy about your decision. Children grow up so fast - you can never get those years back, so enjoy them because they will be grownups before you know it. I can't believe that my Son will be 24 this year! Glad to hear that you'll still be around AR though.

I wish you all the best in growing your business in the direction you need it to go in. Your kids will not always be in the house and you won't have an opportunity to get this time back later on.

Kimberly - As you know, the kids have to come first. The kids and your family. That's what is most important. So you won't be making as much money? You'll survive. And your family will thrive because of it.

We've all made these decisions as we've been parents. You'll find exactly what is right and what will work for you and your family. Only you and your family can figure this one out, so don't worry too much about what others may say.

Good luck and enjoy your kids! Me eldest starts middle school this fall. How the heck did that happen?

Good luck Kim! You'll see what an important decision this was in 10 years!

Kim- You chose what is the best - business is great and necessary to supply needs but should never become your all in all.

What a great post. I think it is so difficult for people to balance everything in life and sometimes things just have to be cut out like you indicated in your post. I think those we love definitely have to come first but sometimes without realizing it we work so much that the ones we love are put on the back burner. I think you made the right decision.

I'm just now starting to enter the world of Active Rain again. It' weird when you were #1-3 in the Mortgage Company category, only to come back and be #13 or so. But, I had to choose to spend more time with my family and watch our 2 beautiful daughters grow up. Balance is the key much harder than the act of running a business.

Scott

Kim, I really applaud what you are doing . I have been a stay at home for 13 years. I don't understand why vacant homes would take you away for a long time because I have not staged any yet. I am still getting my name out there to the public.

Good luck with everything.

Sheila

As the saying goes "When one door closes, another one opens". I found a great book on vacation one year called "Secrets of Six-Figure Women: Surprising Strategies to up Your Earnings and Change Your Life" by Barbara Stanny. At the time I was making six figures, but I really wanted to know if what I was doing was some great "secret" that I wasn't even aware of, a fluke or was I on the right path for greater success(or failure). The monetary aspect aside, I wanted to explore all areas of my life including family and friends. There is a great part of the book that I always refer to where she writes "You must let go of where your are to get where you want to go". The strategy she calls "letting go of the ledge" . She writes about her interviews with women who made the decision to "let go of the ledge" did so, "not to make more, but to become more". The greatest lesson learned for me is that taking a step or two (or 10) back is not a bad thing. Reevaluating is a tool that should be used often, just not when life or business gets out of control. To find clarity in a chaotic environment is reinvigorating, it makes us stronger.

Everyone have a great and safe 4th of July weekend!

Kim,

Your doing the right thing. I wish I could have done that myself when my daughter needed me.

Good Luck,

Peggie

Bless you Kimberly, you are making the right decision. I think now days too many underestimate the importance of staying around full time to raise your children. I am 49 now and of the generation of women that got bombarded with the message that we could do it all, that if we didn't there was something wrong.

I have 4 and do not regret a single day that I chose to remain home with them when I see what great little people they are turning out to be. Secure, healthy and confident.

Don't be scarce around here though, All the best!!

Good luck it sounds as though you are balancing everything as it should be,,,,your children should always be number one above your job and I am a firm believer in this!

Kimberly - I was really touched by your post. You are definitely making the right decision, and I know everything will fall into place.

Your family should come first. You are lucky you have that choice. I know some single moms that are responsible for their children as well as making ends meet. The ones I know hope their situation is temporary, because they also believe their time with their children is the most important. So count your blessings and that you are able to cut back and spend more time with your children. Y'all are both very lucky.

Some People take a lifetime to figure out what they want & what is important!

Just think of the lesson you just taught your kids!

Congratulations!

Fabia MacNair

Styling Spaces

Congrats on the feature, and on making the decision you can live with. Things will work out.

Good for you Kimberly. As a mom to three I understand your position completely. In the end, what matters most is my career as a mother, wife, daughter and friend. Realtor is way, way down on the bottom!

Kudos, Kimberly! Solomon was right to say, "Children are a gift from the Lord. Blessed is the man (or woman) whose quiver is full of them."

Cheers also for making this tough choice at such a critical time in the lives of your children. Even if they don't thank you for it till they're 30, you'll have done them the most amazing favor!

Kimberly...

I don't want to sound like I'm mimicking anyone so I won't repeat what others have said.

I will say...Be comfortable with your choices. They're yours to make. Personally I choose to live my life and be where I'm needed the most. There's nothing wrong with that. The world in all it's busyness will survive and carry on with or without us :)

TLW...ROAR!

I've heard over and over than no one on their death bed says they wished they'd spent more time with their business or at the office. Kimberly, you will NEVER regret this decision! When my mom went to work full time, she checked out of our lives, and I can still tell you the moment I figured it out. I felt abandoned and that was the moment I became a rebellious child. You're still going to have rough times, but your child(ren) will know beyond a doubt who comes first in your life. May God richly bless your life!

Wonderful for your children and family. They are really your most important people. Careers, jobs can come and go or change over the years. Those children are only young for a short time. I pat you on the back for doing the right thing.

Just tell people when it's your family and you need to be their for them most people understand.

WOW! I posted this last minute last night and left EARLY this morning to go pick up my daughter from camp (4 hours away) and return to find so many comments it took me 30 minutes to read them all! I am so touched by what you all have said and offered as encouragement, I am still crying..THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!

I had very little doubt that my decision was the right one, but when we arrived to pick my daughter up this afternoon, she ran to us, held on tight and cried like she hadn't seen us in a year. All that from the child who insisted she wouldn't miss us...She's so worth everything. I will never look back.

Kim,

I TOTALLY understand. My 11-year old daughter is my FIRST priority, and I can say, I have lost business, because her needs came first.

So be it.

JUL

2008

You have a lot of responses and I apologize that I didn't read them all and maybe duplicating an idea. Would it be possible to consider hiring/training someone to do what you do? I know it's an art to be able to do what you do and I (as a trained accountant gone realtor) can't do it. But, maybe there are people out there that might fit the bill. I ultimately would love to be a rainmaker and have talented people working for me and to scale back on the actual doing that I do now. I have a partner currently that if I were to list my home, I'd list it with her over me. She is that good!

Money comes and goes, so does are children. We have plenty of time to make more money but not children. Enjoy them before its to late. Two thumbs up for Kim.

Kimberly - My business is almost 90% consultations for occupied homes and that is the way I like it. I don't have ultra perfect vacant before and after pictures - my afters are never perfect, they are all done on a tiny or nonexistent budget. I think the thing I love the most is working in older homes and trying to make them appealing to younger buyers. It is what I have time in my schedule to do and luckily what I prefer. Staging occupied homes may not be as high impact as vacants but I think it is more rewarding.

Good luck with your new direction.

JUL

2008

Kimberly - you know in your heart what's best for your family and you are doing it with conviction and not looking back. No one can judge you for that. Good luck wearing both hats, but the one you'll always remember and so will your kids, is the one that affected their lives. You sound like a great mom and I am sure you are proud to be their mom. It is a gift to have our children close.

Kimberly,

Thank you for sharing your heart and decision with all of us. Many have agreed and said pretty much what I feel right now. I just want to applaud you for making this decision. I understand all too well what a staging, redesign and consulting business can be like. I know how important this time is for your children and you. They grow up so quickly. Whether you have small children at home or not is not always the deciding factor. It is what is best for you and your family at any age.

I have a different situation than you, but I think most of us make the same decisions if we want to find balance in our lives. How much time do we give to our business? How much time do we give to our family? How much time do we give to ourselves and our health? It is a continual life balance for all of us.

I am proud of you for recognizing the time to cut back and do what you need to do. I believe it is important to make periodic checks to see what is the best use of our time. Some parts of our business are more profitable and we enjoy doing them more. It is all about doing those reality checks to see what is best for each of us to do in our lives and business. I am sure you are going to experience more peace and sanity as you make this change in your life. Your children will thank you for it, I wish you the very best in all that you decide to do.

Have a Colorful Day!

JUL

2008

Kim, The way you felt when you picked up your daughter for camp can NEVER replace the satisfaction you MIGHT receive from work. Our children are precious and in life we all have regrets. You choosing to have more time with your children will take away the regrets when you see them walking down that aisle to their new family. You will know you did the right thing..

God Bless, Phyllis Pafumi

JUL

2008

Kimberly, as a mom with 3 & 3/4 teenagers (my baby is almost 13) and knowing all to well what is at stake I wish you the very best, nothing hurts more than "losing" your child. I'm very proud of you in this day and age when it seems the pressure for us to do more and be more is increasing everyday and the ones suffering the most are our kids (especially the teens I think), who honestly want us to just be there, you go girl and have faith that things work out the way they were intended to :]

Kimberly, I can understand how hard it is raise children and have a demanding business. At one time I was a part owner in a restaurant and my child was small at the time.

Oh boy crazy hours and not enought time w/ my child, it was not a good situation. I'm sure you will all be the happier for you decision. Enjoy your family while you can!

Thank you all for your support! I am overwhelmed by the response my little blog has garnered. I have taken all of your words to heart and appreciate every single one of them.

I must let you all know, especially if you are struggling with this situation, that just informing my daughter of the changes we are making in the business has created a significant change in her spirit and she is much less angry than she has been recently. We are headed in the right direction, for sure!

Thank you all so much!

JUL

2008

This dilemma has reared it's ugly head for me now that it's summer. During the school year, I make sure I'm home within an hour of my daughters getting home from school. But I've had 2 big jobs since school let out that have caused me to be gone for most of the day over 2 weeks. My daughters are 15 and 13 and can entertain themselves with the computer and Wii, but I still felt horrible leaving them alone. Thankfully, those jobs are finished and I have nothing planned for this week except fun in the sun with my girls.

I would be having the same inner dialogue as you Kimberly if I was consistently getting big jobs like these that kept me away on a regular basis. They're only young once!

Kimberly I have been missing you here on AR and now I understand why. FOR ALL THE RIGHT REASONS! You have already made some major adjustment for this staging career and I just want you to know that I didn't really get into it until everybody was out of the house and the other career was over. YOU can still do this years from now and be successful. I know that the temptation to be here on the "ground floor" is tempting but sometimes it's more frustrating than tempting. FAMILY FIRST! YOU GO GIRL and we will miss you too.

Marianne - I did expect summer to be easier, actually, but every time my phone rings, her shoulders fall. It's painful to see.

Ginger -It's odd to say, but the fewer vacants I do, the more I will be around AR. I need to refocus my blogs to occupieds and consults if I want to take that route. I will just be doing it after the kids go to bed.... :)

JUL

2008

Kimberly, I applaud you. Realizing there was a problem in your family and doing something pro active about it. This world might be a little better if more parents had a better pulse on there family and did something constructive about it when that pulse got week. Kudos to you.

JUL

2008

Kimberly, enjoy this time with your children....you will never get it back. Mine are all grown up now and on their own. When my girls were small I was a single parent, and had to work to pay for college educations and to keep a roof over our heads. My girls have become smart, beautiful women but if I had to do it over again, I wish I could have had more quality time with them while they were in school.

My husband and I now live very hectic lives. I sometimes feel that I'm still missing the boat....I need to enjoy my grandchildren more. I need to take time for myself and my husband. I need to enjoy life and to hopefully leave some wonderful memories with our family. I give you praise for making a choice that you feel strongly about...your family. I'm getting ready to start enjoying my second time around shortly. Good luck to you in whatever you choose. Enjoy.

JUL

2008

Sounds like you made wise choices about your Priorities in this short time on earth we call life Kim.....I was taught....God,Family, then Work and in that order :) your precious girls will repeat your example to the next generation!

take Care Sincerely,

Grace

Your decision is very touching, smart and wise Kimberly! Family must take priority over business. Blink and your daughters will be grown and married. These are the best years to have with them. Your staging business will be there when they you and your husband are empty nesters. In the meantime, consultations can be a very nice business to specialize in.

Enjoy your daughters and family! CL

JUL

2008

Kimberly, you are courageous to face the truth and take action on behalf of your family. The right decision is not always the easy one. Nothing is as rewarding as guiding your children to a rewarding future. This is your life's work and you have more than accepted the responsibility. I appluad you and thank you for making this world a better place.

Rob - Thanks and I agree!

Debbie - Thanks so much for the encouragement. I remind myself daily that the staging world will continue without me, but my girls are a different story...

Grace - I was taught the same...god thing I remembered before it was too late! :)

Cathy - You are right! My daughter just pointed out yesterday that she graduates high school in 5 years. Five years ago she was just in 3rd grade. Amazing how much difference that amount of time can make. I don't intend to miss any of it!

Nancy - Thanks so much for the support. I do not want my girls to remember me as a dedicated stager, but as a dedicated mom. I'm the only one who can make that happen and the rewards there far outweigh any success in business!

AUG

2008

Kimberly:

You have your priorities in the right order! Things will work out as they should.

Debbie Higgins

SEP

2008

Kimberly-

Just happened to be reading your past blogs and saw this. I was truely touched. Best wishes to you and your family.

SEP

2008

Your family has to come first...its a no brainer...good luck with everything!

Things will definitly fall into place kimberly..and although you may have to sacrifice staging vacants now something else will fall in it's place. You can never make missed time and moments back with your children and as a mother of two I completly understand. I can't say that I am in the same position right now myself,but in terms of sacrificing something in my life.... I have something similar... on the contrary I work fulltime and make great salary, and my husband averages out the same. But.... I am also a fulltime student working on my bachelors plus I have my two children, and I am working on building my business from the ground up it's my first year.. My end choice is that in order mfor me to be a successful mom and everything else in between, I will have to leave my current employer so that I can focus on school and work on building my business and most importantly stop sending my kids to daycare till 6 sometimes 7pm..ugh! (starting december) for god sakes I havent even started my website since January! But I think it works out, I am a registered substitute for my county so hey if I need some extra money I can choose when i can work so I am completely not at a lose. anywho..sorry for the long comment, but I know as a mom I am always jumping back and forth with things but when it comes to my kids I make decisions in a split second!

Wow, you've had a tough time but made the right decision for you which is very obvious in your writing. Really who is going to be on their deathbed saying, 'I should worked more'?

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