Any other moms of little ones out there?

Hi Denise, I'm in the same position but I don't have any advice.  It's tough. Hang in there. It will get better once the little ones start school.  :)  In the mean time, enjoy the little ones!

Hi Denise-  I have an almost three year old daughter and a 13 month old daughter.  I am really enjoying blending my career with my kids, and I think I'm doing okay.  Here's what I do: I take them with me.  Everywhere.  My husband is able to ALMOST support the household, but I do need to make some money.  I choose my clients carefully and I make sure they know that my kids will have to come to work with me when my husband is not available to watch them.  I have never yet had a client show displeasure or decline my services for this reason.  I think I'll start a group for moms of young kids, so be sure to join!  Then we can all swap stories and kid tips, and be a little casual.

Hi Lisa

As a mother of twins I have been in your shoes. It can be very challenging. Socialization of little ones is important. You have found a pre- school you are happy with that is step one.

Step Two: Time management.  Time blocking can be a life saver.  Since you only have a few hours you are solo, that is dedicated work time.

Step Three: Diving up household chores- this helps a lot getting a crock pot is also wonderful for slow cooking meals and saves time. Average prep time less than 15 minutes.

Step Four: Working After hours- evenings can be a great time to catch up after the little one has gone to sleep. 1-2 hours gives you time to do little things.

Step Five: Save one day a week to take care of you for a few hours. A bubble bath, pedicure something to reminder yourself you are still a woman in addition to being a Mom and professional.

You will survive it- I  did!

It DOES get easier as they get older.

Okay, Lisa... here is the group link.  No one can tell me I don't keep my word!  Hopefully we can get a few moms like us together and we can all learn from each other.  Moms of Young Kids

It is difficult, I know.  I have three kids, two in school, the youngest is 19 mos.  We sold a business just over a year ago so my husband was around to help A LOT.  Now he has been offered a few positions just too good to pass on, but they are very long hours.  What I have been doing is adjusting the baby to a strict schedule.  I blog when he naps and when one of his favorite shows are on. (like right now) And, I make sure he gets plenty of Mommy time in between.  The hardest at home task is the time sensitive phone calls.  It's hard to walk outside to take a call when the baby is crying.  In that case I let the voice mail do its thing and return the call as soon as the baby is settled. 

The good thing is the internet actually makes this even possible to do as compared to, say, fifteen years ago.  I can design and mail flyers, postcards, letters and market on my blog all from home.  Scheduling time for the office, listing presentations and viewing can be a little tricky, but it has a way of working itself out with proper planning.  

Good Luck.  

I have a 2 year old. He has recently discovered Elmo and elmo is now a good friend of mine. No really whenever he watches Elmo I use that opportunity to get on the computer or make some phone calls or whatever... Not that tv should be the answer - I don't want him watching too much tv. But it is helpful for a few things.

Also just thought I would share... you may not want to start another mom's group. There is a group called Agent Mom and it has 167 subscribers already.

Lisa, I am not a stay at home mom but a hard working father. My wife sacrificed her carrier to stay at home with our now 2 year old son.  I commend you and all the other working moms, I don't know how you do it.

I try very hard to make time with my son every day, even with a busy schedule. My only advice would be not to view success in terms of income, # of houses listed or sold, or awards, that typically define who we are in business. View success as a measure of happiness. As long as you make time for your children, work hard, and maintain a healthy lifestyle, you will be successful!

HI Lisa, I am new to ActiveRain and found your post.  I have a 2 year old daughter.  I have been taking her to work with me since she was 2 months old.  At the time I was a full time processor, working with my sister, with a flexible schedule.  It was great having Aunt Amy around when I was on a call and the baby started to cry!  When she started crawling it was too hectic to take her to that office in Westminster, MD.  I then went to work with my brother as his mortgage processor in Dundalk, MD.  I take her to the office when I need to be there, I do a lot from home (Hi-5 and Dora are my friends!!)  I am able to take her upstairs to his apartment above the office for naps.  I have been so blessed to be part of a team with family!  I have since gotten my mortgage originator's license.  I make sure that we have play time in the morning, then she gets TV time while I have computer time, then it's lunch and nap, Naptime is the time to return phone calls, and make outgoing calls! Then it's more playtime, then Dinner, play, bath, books, bed.  Then a few more calls or computer time.  If dad gets home at a decent hour then I get some extra work time in.  Every once in a while, she spends some time with my awesome neighbors and their kids that are the same age.

My husband retired from the military in November, so I was spoiled, when I went to work, he got to have Daddy time.  He LOVED it!  He has since gone back to work and I am still working out the kinks.  I may have my cousin watch Sydney for a few hours a day, a couple days a week when she has her grandson (he's 2 months younger).  My brother and I work as a team, so if I am not avaiable, he will take care of any issues, and vice versa!  So far, it's working out.  Some days are crazier than others...but isn't that what being a MOM is all about?