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After last week's column about my somewhat depressing daily log as a stay-at-home mom, I got several e-mails from readers who were left with some questions.
They asked how I feel about leaving the workforce, what it's like to freelance and how on earth I make time to write this column and other articles with three little monkeys in the house.
First and foremost, I am thankful and humbled that I have such long-time followers, some who have read my stories since my business reporter days ― which now almost feels like a different era ― all the way through four years of this parenting column.
I sometimes look back at all the changes my life has adjusted to after marriage, the birth of my twins and then my third. A lot of changes for sure.
I most definitely enjoyed every minute working as a fulltime reporter, meeting people and meeting deadlines.
My passion for exploring new and hidden story ideas and love for writing remain unchanged but my work environment has ― drastically.
I no longer have coworkers to have an intellectual and mature interaction with.
Instead, I have two three-year-olds and a two-year-old I must attend to ― whether it be breaking up a fight or wiping a bottom at the potty ― no matter how much of a killer writing streak I'm on.
A story that deserves about three hours max can take up to 10 hours when you get more than 30 distractions in a one-hour period. Yes, 30 distractions in one hour is possible.
So I try to take advantage of the three-hour break twice a week when Ellen and Ann go off to preschool and I'm alone with Lauren.
I don't mean to offend anyone, but going from three kids down to one feels unbelievably liberating. I can actually hear myself think.
Phone interviews ― almost always necessary for news articles ― are pretty much considered impossible with three kids roaring in the back. As a substitute, I now resort to email interviews.
Since weekdays are hectic around the clock, weekends are a good time to squeeze some work in.
My husband often does me a favor by taking the kids out for a couple hours on Saturday mornings so that I can get in my writing zone.
It takes a lot of planning and accommodating, but experience shows that meeting deadlines while being in the same house with three toddling little monsters is possible.
There are days when I certainly miss being an active member of the workforce, living life as a professional and even just wearing some nice clothes besides yoga pants and a T-shirt. And, at one point, I did contemplate finding fulltime childcare for my children so that I can return to work.
But I'm the kind of mom who considers being with kids first before work. Maybe I'm a little old-fashioned, but I know that these couple years of me being home will leave some kind of lasting trace in my daughters' lives in one way or another.
I'm probably going to annoy some parents ― especially fulltime working moms ― with my position, but hey, everyone has their own parenting philosophy.
One thing I pledged to myself though upon starting my years-long new career as a stay-at-home mom is that I'd try my very best to be a darn good one.
When I'm not looking after the kids and not writing, I'm always looking for things to do inside and outside of the house.
This somewhat of an obsession with productivity has led me to launch two online businesses over the past two years ― one is selling Korean baby products in the U.S. and the other brand new one is a party solution business that rents party supplies to busy moms who want to celebrate without the hassle.
I don't make a ton of money from any of the three jobs, but each of them gives me a unique sense of joy and accomplishment.
All of you stay-at-home moms know how desperate we feel sometimes to do something ― anything ― that is unrelated to diaper-changing, cleaning up LEGO and feeding.
I don't know how much longer it will be until I return to work fulltime.
Despite feeling anxious about the future sometimes, I'm able to keep myself grounded when I see my three cute little faces constantly coming to me for a snuggle and kiss.
No fancy career or big salary beats this.
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