Baby In Tow
How many moms would love to have their kids at work with them? What do you picture? Here's what I imagine many picture:
Lots of snuggles because baby tags along with you. Feeding whenever/wherever without a care. Naps happen naturally because baby is on his own schedule. Play time is whenever you decide because they are right there. Lots of smiles, laughs, and cuddles. Most of all, BONDING! Plus the fulfillment of getting to work and do your own thing. You still have your second income, and don't have to pay for a babysitter or daycare.
This is SOMEWHAT true. Yes there is bonding, smiles, and you do have the income/daycare benefit. However, the schedule is not natural. There are lots of tears and frustrated cries because he has a need that cannot be met that second. There is minimal fulfillment in work for Mommy because the balance is so difficult. Little Monster's needs come first...always
Little Bug wouldn't sleep more than 45 minutes at a time, and wanted our attention when she was awake. I couldn't get any work done on office days. We would sit as quitely as possible in a dark office to try and squeeze out every second of sleep and computer work we could. Since the weather was cooler, she was able to go around with us and do more. Outside work was way easier. Now with Little Monster, it's too hot to take him anywhere outside. We spend nearly all our time in the office. He does sleep way better though.
Baby's schedule becomes very dependent on what has to get done. We wake up when it's time to leave for work. We eat, in the usual 3hr window, when Mommy can stop what's going on to feed. Even though our natural nap wants to start around lunch, we wait until we can get inside for lunch. Then nap gets interrupted because lunch is over and it's time to go back to work. Or, mommy takes her stuff to work in the house for a bit. He's having to learn to be very flexible.
Office space isn't very conducive for snuggles, feeding, napping, anything but work. We had to set up a pack'n'play in the barn office to provide him a sleep and play space. Not so different from at home, except that there's cow poop, chicken poop and mud on the foor.
There's a lot of work that goes into making it happen. I have work day, and family time at the same time. Two jobs in one time window. Many days I don't get more than 1 or 2 small things done. And, as much as I hate the heat (over 72 is too hot for Mommy), I feel a need to do things outside that I simply can't take him with me to get done.
It is truly a blessing to have him along! I certainly don't want to give the impression it's not. I get so much time with him that I really feel like I know him. I don't have to share him with a daycare teacher. I get to see all the firsts. I get all the snuggles. I just pray for the grace to be able to cherish all of this rather than dwell on the difficulties. So when people say: "Oh you get to take him with you to work? That's such a blessing!" I can agree with them honestly.