At the beginning of the summer I asked, what are your summer plans? Now that the kids are headed back to school, I’d like to ask the same thing. What are your plans?
Just like there were options for WAHMs at the beginning of the summer, I see several options as the kids head back to school:
- Business as usual
- Gear up
- Slow down
Business as Usual
These WAHMs keep their work schedule constant throughout the year, perhaps using childcare during the summer months. Because they didn’t slow down during the summer, there’s no need to gear up now. Or, perhaps the kids are too little to go to school, so back-to-school doesn’t mean a schedule change for the family.
Gear Up
Now that the kids are back in school, these WAHMs will be going at full speed with their businesses. Having the kids at school allows you to have several more hours of work time each day, and you plan to use every minute of it!
Slow Down
You’re a homeschool mom or a student yourself. Now that classes have started again, you’re busier than ever. You plan to slow your business down and take on fewer assignments so that you can get it all done.
How about you? How are you affected by back-to-school?
Contents (c) Copyright 2007, Laura Spencer. All rights reserved.
12 responses so far ↓
1 Shana (TheNanny612) // Aug 29, 2007 at
Great article Laura!!
I was thinking about this exact topic for a while now. Truthfully, it has been on my mind since summer began. 😉
Due to the fact that I am a Work at Home Mom during the summer time as well I am running on very little sleep. While the kids are up and full of energy during the day I can’t get much of my work done. So, I land up staying up into the early morning hours completing my work. I am looking forward to working while the children are at school and sleep more at night.
Thanks Laura for yet another wonderful post.
Shana (TheNanny612)
2 Matt Keegan // Aug 29, 2007 at
Well, I am not a WAHM — will being a WAHD do? 😉
I am gearing up for the year end push. This means that I will be seeking new clients, stepping up my current work a notch, and seeking to make enough money to justify what I am doing.
Last year, December was my busiest month. I would prefer not being as busy in December this year simply because it is difficult working so hard with the Christmas season in play. Instead, I’m hoping for a very busy September and October to tide me over.
3 Sharon Hurley Hall // Aug 29, 2007 at
I’m definitely gearing up, Laura. Although I haven’t stopped working, my work day has been much shorter than usual to leave time for playing and going to the beach with my daughter. I’m ready to get back to work and like Matt, I’d like to have a busy September to November, so that I can take some time off in December.
4 Laura // Aug 29, 2007 at
Hi Shana, Matt, and Sharon!
Thanks for sharing your plans. It’s interesting to hear that most of you are gearing up for a busy fall.
Shana, I’m definitely glad to hear that you can work during the day and get some sleep.
5 Nikki // Aug 29, 2007 at
Absolutely things changed. We went from slow and lazy to warp speed. Especially now that I have more work. I told one person the other day that I don’t know if I am coming or going but the next time myself steps out, I must remind her to get more milk and TP.
6 Laura // Aug 30, 2007 at
Hi Nikki!
Don’t you wish we could clone ourselves?
7 Melissa R. Garrett // Aug 30, 2007 at
Definitely gearing up! I feel my writing is just starting to take off, and I am looking forward to (hopefully) getting a lot done while the kids are in school.
8 Laura // Aug 30, 2007 at
Hi Melissa!
Best wishes for your writing year!
9 Mary Emma Allen // Aug 30, 2007 at
Generally we don’t think of grandmothers being affected by the “back to school” syndrome. However, because we’re a multigenerational home (daughter, son-in-law and two grandkids live with us), I’m often involved in getting kids to school when daughter and son-in-law have to be at work before school time. (They work in retail, so have changing schedules.)
Also,I’m a substitute teacher, in grades K-12, so get early morning calls. If I don’t get called, then I enjoy a quiet time to work on my writing and another home business my husband and I own. Although I’ve learned to write and blog with a busy home around me, I do enjoy the quiet best.
So…after the less scheduled days of summer, we’re all now on a stricter schedule. However, I find I often accomplish more (am more productive during those hours I have for my work) when my schedule is more rigid.
10 CJ // Aug 30, 2007 at
This back to school song should cheer you up!
11 Char // Aug 31, 2007 at
I am definitely going to be ramping up my business! I’m enjoying long blocks of uninterrupted time now that my three are back in school.
12 Laura // Aug 31, 2007 at
Hi Mary Emma Allen, CJ, and Char!
Mary Emma — Thanks for sharing about the effect that back-to-school has on a multi-generational home. You’re right! I hadn’t really thought about that.
CJ- Umm, not sure what you mean.
Hi Char! That’s a change for you, isn’t it?