If you’ve read my book or have been following me here at Alpha WAHM for any length of time, you know I believe in the transformational power of dialog. Building a business from home with children underfoot–especially small children–is not always pretty. In fact, sometimes it’s downright miserable.
Because some days your little angels will act like little demons. You won’t feel like hugging them; you’ll feel like wringing their necks.
See, working at home isn’t necessarily going to help you be a better parent, though I think a lot of aspiring work-at-home moms believe this. Through rose-colored glasses, many women view the possibility of having their children in arms while they earn a living, build an empire, and pursue their adult passions, as an ideal path to maternal utopia.
Riiiiight …
There are going to be moments, hours, and, yes, DAYS when you just don’t enjoy being a mom. Period.
That’s okay. It’s normal. Please don’t let anyone tell you it’s wrong to feel this way.
But what if the insanity starts affecting you and the kids in a more lasting way? What if yelling has become the modus operandi, not the exception? What if you really can’t stand your children MOST of the time? And, what if junior is starting to show signs of distress because your relationship with him is deteriorating?
Sometimes just talking to a friend or another mom will help you to exhale and get grounded again.
Sometimes a cup of coffee and a time out (for you, not the kids) can return you to a sane state of mind.
Sometimes though, feelings of hopelessness, anger, fear, or resentment start to feel like a theme more than “just a bad day with the kids.”
When that happens, you must find a way to turn things around before your kids are grown up and it’s too late to make things better.
The good news is that there are easily accessible, free resources out there that can help. In fact, I just discovered one today during my morning “surf.” It’s a 24-7 help line out of Massachusetts called Parents Helping Parents. Their “Parental Stress Line” helps frazzled parents cope with a host of typical parenting challenges:
“Appropriate child discipline; babies who won’t go to sleep; single parent stress; constant yelling at home; an ADHD child; marital problems; out of control child; children who won’t listen; disagreement with a spouse about household rules; rebellious children; D.S.S. involvement; teens who are skipping school; a belief in the myth of the “perfect parent;” and no one to talk to who could possibly understand….just for a start.”
Any of these scenarios ring familiar?
I’m sure there are hot lines like this all over the continental US and Canada, and while I haven’t had to call any of them (yet), it’s reassuring to know that someone out there might be able to lend an ear AND some objective advice should I need it.
Because there will be times as a work-at-home mom when you feel like you just can’t “get it right” with your kids. You’re not alone. You’re not a failure. You’re definitely not abnormal. You’re just human.
Admitting that may be the most “Alpha” thing you can do for yourself, your business, and your children.
Other Alpha WAHM readers would love to hear your thoughts on this subject. And if you know of a help line or similar resource that would help your fellow Alpha WAHMs in their moment of need, please share. It would make a big difference to the women who read this blog and the children they love.
About this Alpha WAHM Blogger: Karri is the Alpha WAHM who owns this joint. She also happened to write the book. 
