This is a Guest Blog Post from Author Jen Singer.
September 1st is a really dumb book deadline for a WAHM. And yet, that was indeed one of my deadlines last year. Somehow, I actually turned in the manuscript a few days early, if for no other reason because I wanted to get to the lake with the kids. But also because I was getting tired of working nights and around noon-time camp pick-up and after family trips.
It never occurred to me to ask my publisher for another month. Nor did I think I should have put aside all my other work, including blogging for Good Housekeeping.com and building my MommaSaid.net business. And I certainly wasn’t going to miss summer with my kids — not after missing the summer before because of cancer.
And so, I got very disciplined at writing very quickly and concisely. As a result, I pounded out three books in a row, the first of which was published last week. Library Journal called Stop Second Guessing Yourself – The Toddler Years (HCI) “a funny yet deeply practical set of pointers on wrangling toddlers.” Phew!
If they only knew what went into wrangling the book, the first in my series on parenting. In fact, few outside my family saw the midnight editing, the school-hours research, the daily shouts of “Don’t hit your brother!” between paragraphs. You know, the usual day-in-the-life stuff of a work-at-home mom.
Yet sometimes, I could pinch myself. How lucky am I to get to weave doing what I love in with taking care of my family? Sure, it’s crazy sometimes. It’s texting my publicist while cooking dinner. It’s doing newspaper interviews outside choir practice. It’s thinking, I’ve got to use this in my book, when I overhear conversations in my mini-van. Working from home is like juggling chainsaws and teacups. And yet, I love it.
I’ve been in remission for 17 months now, and I’m feeling good. I don’t have any book deadlines at the moment, but I will again soon enough. Until then, I’ll keep on writing around my kids’ schedules the best I can – no matter how stupid the deadline.
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Leslie Truex is the pajama-clad work-at-home mom dedicated to helping other moms live and work comfortably. She's the author of The Work-At-Home Success Bible and owner of 
Laurie Ayers is a WAHM from Michigan and a Star Director with 
I think the headline was supposed to read “Discipline” not “Disciple,” but never the less you are so on target with the life many of us lead, juggling family and work from home. I too, would not change it for the world. The ability to be there for my children and work remotely is so precious. Add to that the medical challenge element that amazingly, I’ve seen with so many friends as well, and you should add “strength and perseverance” into your headline as well. It’s a powerful thing and I thank you for sharing this tidbit of your life to confirm we are not alone out there.
Thanks for the spell check and the thoughtful comment
Thank you for the idea of working at night when my family sleeps. It’s so much quieter and I find I’m getting SERIOUS work done.
This article so motivated me for goal completions!!
Cee Tindalls last blog post..More CBC with Janet–Short Order Cooks?
This is truly a great time in history! Women can gain respect as a SAHM and they can be respected as an entrepreneur! I count my blessings everyday and I’m so honored to be able to empower women in living this dream!