Does My Work-at-Home Business Spoil My Children?

by Traci Anderson | More from this Blogger

27 Jan 2007 12:08 PM

Today is Saturday. The day where most of people take a break. Not me. Today is my busiest day. I write articles, ship Ebay items, place orders and market my websites.

I have two preschoolers so during the rest of the week I work while they are sleeping at night or napping. (Perhaps you've wondered about my night-owl posts). I give my kids six days of "mommy-time" and therefore I am not afraid to admit that I feed my kids cold cereal and prop them in front of the television on Saturday mornings.

As I was packaging some Ebay products this morning, my three year old daughter was clinging to my arm. "Mommy...come play with us"..."mommy...I need a drink....now"...."hey mom...make us lunch"...mommy...mommy...mommy... If it weren't for a few extra cups of caffeine this morning, I may have snapped.

Are my kids getting spoiled because I am here 24-7? (Okay, make that 24-6). Would a daycare provider be able to cater to their ongoing demands like I often do, I doubt it. They have work to do...and so do I.

While my three-year old daughter is obviously too little to comprehend my dilemma, I have this selfish urge to sit her down and give her a little lecture one of these days. "Honey...here's the scoop....if you can't give me four hours on a Saturday morning to work, I won't be here to play with you because I will be forced to work somewhere else."

I adore my kids, but I truly wonder if my availability makes them a bit spoiled. If you are a home-based working mom (or dad) have you ever felt that way? While I wish I could have used this blog entry this morning to offer some home-business insight, I am feeling a bit needy myself this morning. I would greatly appreciate your comments on this issue. Maybe I am out in left-field on this one...but I'd be willing to bet that a few of you have had similar experiences. Share them, please.

Related Reading: Create a Phone Box to Keep Children Entertained Letting Your Kids Help You Work Managing Your Kids Sick Days When You Work from Home

Learn more about Traci Anderson

Traci is a work-at-home-mom (WAHM) from beautiful Big Sky Country (Montana). She spends most of her time trying to keep up with two extremely energetic (but hysterical) Irish twins.

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Lisa P (24013) 28 Jan 2007 09:34 AM

Yes, they are spoiled - mine is too. But isn't that why most of us choose to work at home? So that we can be here for our kids?

Julie Gentry (5915) 29 Jan 2007 03:10 AM

Of COURSE they're spoiled! Lisa's right, that's why we do it. So that we can stop in the middle of what we're doing to kiss an owwie or settle an argument, or teach someone why the red towel cannot go in the wash with daddy's t-shirts.

Stop when you can. The blog will still be there in ten minutes, and the packages will still be waiting.

Traci Anderson (970) 29 Jan 2007 08:24 AM

Thanks Julie and Lisa! I appreciate your feedback. My three year old has been a bit overly demanding lately so I was seriously concerned that I might be "over-spoiling" her by constantly giving into her. My article was actually prompted after I spent the weekend with a working-mother friend. The entire time we were visiting, her kids were playing quietly while mine were trying to pull me into 8 directions.

Anyway...they are two and three, so I need to relax a bit. My "visiting" time will come soon, I am sure. =)

Many blessings you guys. Thanks for your comments!