Creating Structure In Our Chaotic Life
My husband and I have, what I imagine many would call, a non-traditional home life.
Neither one of us has a job that conforms to a typical Monday through Friday, 9 to 5, work week. I work outside of the home a couple of days a week teaching. I also work from home grading projects and papers, making lesson plans, writing, designing, creating art, and overseeing my Etsy shop.
My husband is a musician. His schedule changes day-to-day, week to week. On top of the gigs, there is the business side of being a musician. Phone calls, practice, booking gigs, studio time for the album. The list goes on.
Like I said, a non-traditional home life.
Throw an almost 5 year old and an almost 5 month old into the mix, and we have some pretty busy and fly by the seat of our pants kind of days.
On the days I’m home, my schedule pretty much revolves around the kids and my husband’s schedule. Nursing the baby, meals for the rest of us, baths, play time, stories, and bedtime routines—it’s around these daily activities that I have to fit in my work from home duties. If I’m not careful, the day can pass right by me without getting that work done.
Waiting until the kids go to bed to start my work? Not at all effective. Babies don’t always follow that “sleep all night” suggestion.
Plus, by the time the kids are asleep I’m tired. At that point, I just want to sit down, decompress, and—if I’m lucky—spend some one-on-one time with my husband before I fall asleep.
What I’ve come to realize is that I need to actually schedule time into our day that is work time. Just a few hours a day that does not interfere with nursing the baby, or the hours that my husband needs for behind the scenes stuff to keep his work thriving. Non-negotiable, shut myself in the office, work time.
But even shutting the door to my home office doesn’t always help.
knock, knock, knock
Mom…I want to see you.
Opens the office door, steps inside, and waves wand at me.
Ta-dah. You are a fairy. I just gave you wings.
I think I’m going to have to start locking the door.
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Holly teaches design at a small NW Ohio college. She spends her days off hanging out with her foxy musician husband and their gorgeous new baby and ridiculously smart pre-school aged son. Holly has a passion for food, photography, beautiful letter forms, and the possibilities that can be found in a single sheet of well made paper. 
You must set aside the time if it is important to you. And you must honor it and expect your family to honor it. Nap time is an excellent start. From there you have to coordinate with your husband so you both get time to do what you need to. When one is working, the other tends to the children.
HAHAHAHAAAA, fairy wings, that’s so sweet! I totally understand. My husband’s job is a traditional 7:30-4:30 with an hour for lunch, M-F, so that’s pretty typical. However, I work from home for an online charter school and have a 15 month old. I think we’ve kind of figured out a routine based on her needs, but if she’s sick, teething, etc. things change. I try to stay flexible but sometimes I miss having a ‘normal’ job.
BTW, any links to your Etsy shop? Would love to check it out!
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