At a time when modern technology gives moms the freedom to work from home-or even from the park-many women are jumping at the chance to take a part-time job while staying at home with their children.
Home details Two children, 3 and 6
Work details Editor and project manager
Hours per week 25
How I got the job I moved to Chicago when my
oldest was 10 months old, and the company I worked for didn’t have
an editorial office here. So I started working for them on a
project basis and became a freelancer.
How I juggle My oldest is in school, I have two
babysitters and my parents help out. I also find myself working
nights and weekends. I’m always juggling and it’s exhausting.
Why I do it I wanted to be able to spend time
with my children but continue to work. This allows me to do
both.
Why I love it I was able to build good
relationships and I have a good reputation. Even though I’m
part-time and a freelancer, I’m committed and reliable and I’m good
at what I do.
Sophia Oh Gray
Home details One child, 3
Work details Office manager/legal
assistant/accountant
Hours per week 15
How I got the job My husband started his own
law firm, and he hired me to work there.
How I juggle My mother watches my daughter when
I work.
Why I do it My wage is minimal, but I do it to
help my husband’s firm. It also keeps me sane and gives me a break
from make-believe land.
Why I love it It gives me a chance to associate
with others who speak “adult.”
Mollie Fisher
Home details One child, 2
Work details Mental health consultant
Hours per week About seven
How I got the job I worked full-time after I
finished graduate school and I stopped when I had my baby. I
actually planned to leave my full-time position because it didn’t
make financial sense to pay for childcare with my salary. But I
speak some Spanish and they couldn’t find another consultant, so I
got to keep that part of my job.
How I juggle I use in-home childcare providers
five to eight hours a week.
Why I love it I love being able to keep my
professional identity and my professional skills, to keep up my
license, and to have a break from the day-to-day challenges of
being home raising a child. Fortunately, my husband makes enough to
support our family, so I don’t have to worry about the financial
side of it, but I do make enough money to pay for the childcare I
have. It also helps me to have time to do errands and schedule
appointments where I know I can be child-free.
Sarah Charles
Home details Two children, 1 and 3
Work details Sales and marketing associate
Hours per week 25
How I got the job I worked in the field
pre-kids and the owners of my current company approached me.
How I juggle I have a nanny twice a week. I
also am very organized and efficient with time-although there are
many nights when I only get a few hours of sleep in order to fit
everything in.
Why I do it It pays for everyday expenses and
for school tuition.
Why I love it I enjoy being among adults two
days a week with responsibilities that have nothing to do with
children. It gives me a new perspective, which keeps me sane and
helps me appreciate my children more. I also think it makes me a
better mother since I want to lead by example. Children need to
know that work is a part of life.
Stephanie Hettrich
Home details Two children, 3 and 1
Work details Freelance strategist
Hours per week 18, plus one two-day trip to New
York every month
How I got the job Before having children and
moving to Chicago, I lived in New York and worked in the apparel
industry. After leaving, I freelanced for one of my former jobs,
but I quit after the birth of my second child. Recently, I returned
to work part-time for them.
How I juggle My husband takes my children out
of the house for about four hours a week, and I hire a sitter for
six to eight hours. I work an additional five to eight hours
between 4-6 a.m., and again between 8-11 p.m. When I go out of
town, one of the grandmas takes care of them.
Why I love it It has been a great way for me to
stay current in the apparel world, where I have a passion and
education-as well as using my mind (I was finding myself too
involved in Curious George). This made me feel as though I hadn’t
completely distanced myself from my education and field of
interest.
Shanna Bruer Hess
When the phone rings at my house, my 3-year-old knows exactlywhat to do: She stops whatever she’s doing and gets very, veryquiet until I hang up the phone.
She knows that when I’m on the phone, I can’t play with her. Ican’t get her anything. I can’t even speak to her. I’m working.
It’s quite the balancing act, but it’s possible if you’re a goodmulti-tasker.
These Chicago-area women are able to take their kids topreschool, run to a mommy-and-me class-and type a work email fromtheir phone while feeding the baby a bottle. They have it all, andwere willing to explain exactly how they manage it so you can,too.
