This is a reprint of an article I first published in my newsletter in honor of my daughter's graduation from high school. Even though she is now a college graduate (pictured below) the sentiments expressed in this article are as true today as the day I wrote it. Enjoy.
We've known since the day our Danielle was born seventeen and a half years ago, that someday she would leave home for college. But in spite of the passing years and the "day-is-drawing-near" milestones along the way, my husband and I still found ourselves in a state of denial as we watched our "little girl" receive her high school diploma this past Friday night.
Adding insult to injury, Danielle wasn't the only graduation in our house on Friday. Our younger daughter Juliana graduated the same day from middle school -- yet another reminder that our days as 24/7 hands-on parents are quickly coming to an end.
Indeed, graduation is one of those markers in time, when you sit back, reflect and take stock. Not surprisingly, I've recently found myself spending a lot of time thinking about my role as a parent and wondering: "If I had a chance to do it all over again, what would I do differently?"
Like all parents, I've made my share of less-than-brilliant decisions along the parenting road. But of all the choices I've made, one of my wisest was the move I made nine years ago to become a home-based working mom.
I won't tell you the entrepreneurial road has always been easy or profitable. When I started my business, my husband was traveling pretty near full-time and with two small children at home, I rarely worked more than fifteen hours a week. I'm not sure I even netted a thousand dollars my first year (okay, I am sure that I didn't, but I'm trying to forget).
And yet, in spite of the fact that it took me more years than I expected to begin earning a reasonable income stream, I always considered my business a success. I loved what I was doing, I was constantly learning, and I believed in the value of my mission -- empowering women to find better ways to mesh meaningful careers with family.
That said, there were definitely moments when I got very frustrated with my inability to grow the business. As much as I loved my children, I felt hampered by my parenting obligations. There were days when I would fantasize about a time when the kids would be more self-sufficient, leaving me with blocks of time to work blessedly uninterrupted.
Of course, over the years, the children did grow more independent. And, as the children got older, my ability to balance work and family got significantly easier. I now have frequent blocks of uninterrupted work-time. In fact, I actually welcome the interruptions from the kids these days. It helps break up my routine to get the daily update when they return from school, and in an ironic twist, they now get irritated with me when I start chatting with them when they have homework to complete.
As I said before, working at home hasn't always been easy. But if I had a chance to do it over, I wouldn't hesitate a second to go down the same road again. For me, being a home-based entrepreneur was, and still is, most definitely the right choice. Working from home gives me flexibility when I need it most, and now as I face the looming empty-nest syndrome, my business keeps me busy and happy, while also providing me the means to help pay those college bills.
When I made the choice to be a work-from-home mom, I never thought this time would fly so quickly. But it did for me...and it will for you too.
Someday, probably a lot sooner then you expect, you'll find yourself asking, "Where did the time go?" Whether your child is now two -- or ten -- or fifteen, in a seeming "blink of an eye" you will be watching them walk down the aisle at their graduation.
When that moment comes, will you be happy about the work-life choices you've made?
If the answer is no, commit to making a change today. If you're a stay-at-home mom worried about facing the empty nest syndrome, think about going to a workshop geared for sequencing moms. If you've always wanted to work from home, spend the next few months researching new business ideas. If you're fed up with work, take the time to figure out next steps, polish up the resume and get that job search into gear.
Don't wait for a "better time". Take charge of building the future you've always dreamed of starting today and make this the year you schedule your own personal work-life commencement.
I guarantee you won't regret it.
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