We Both Work And We Both Parent

My husband and I both work from home, he is a videographer/photographer and I am an independent artist for Maskcara Beauty as well as a partner to my husband. We are so passionate about our jobs and believe that if we work hard and keep developing the skills and drive necessary for our fields that we will be able to achieve our dream life! If anyone ever tells you that starting your own business or working from home is easy, they are lying and you should egg their house!!! Okay maybe don't but.. Proceed with caution with that person. It is NOT EASY!! And just because you love doing something and are passionate, does not mean there isn't work involved, and stress, and discouragement, and burnout, and doubt and all sorts of "fun" things! 

 Dont get me wrong, to me it is mostly "fun" work because I do love my business and the things I'm involved in, just as my husband loves being behind a camera. However being your own boss while also being a parent and also working from home WITH your spouse... Well there's days where it's just plain hard! It's hard to stay motivated and focused and manage your time. Some days you run out of things to talk about because you've both been at the same place all day haha. Even if he did work outside of the home, any other stay at home mom will tell you it's hard work. It's funny that there's people out there that think we just lay in bed all day watching the bachelorette while our kids watch cartoons and then throw some frozen pizza in the oven for dinner (okay maybe there's A COUPLE days like that.. but who's judging?!) But honestly it's hard to be with kids all day and it's hard keeping everything up (errands, chores, meal prep, happy kids, self-sanity, budgeting, a side hustle if applicable, and the lost goes onnnnn) 

But we make it work, how? Hell, if I know! I just wake up and do the shit. Too much? Sorry.. Honestly though.. we are still learning new ways to work it and manage our schedules. Thankfully, he does have a separate office with a door so that for sure helps! My husband has a harder time with schedules (whereas I love them) so he sort of just works when it seems right and doesn't when it's not. I, however tend to just leave all of my work for after the kids are in bed. I CANNOT even begin to focus or get anything accomplished work wise when they are awake plus they just see it as me ignoring them while on my phone so I just don't even attempt it. I do chores in between play time and either put on a show for them or just let them know I have to clean for a bit then I'll be back to play, it works out fine! Some days we are super parents and get all the things done and play with our kids hardcore and even have adult time! But other days we somehow accomplish literally nothing and go to bed ashamed.. haha not really. There's always the next day!  

Now all that aside, I really can't deny the amazing blessing it is to be at home with our littles every day. We don't have to worry about them being in a daycare or miss out on those little milestones. He gets to see how I am as a mom and I get to watch him be a father, both as a provider and a nurturer. We get to have every meal together and discuss important things or even share a funny meme we found (yep that's a pretty important part of the day). I also feel like he has a much different relationship with our kids than he would if he worked a typical "9-5" job. Of course there is nothing wrong with parents that work outside the home, I just feel that because my husband can be home and available to us, that he has a closer bond with our kids and perhaps with me too. 

I feel a little spoiled at times that I do have the help when I really need it and that I'm never really alone. That being said, although my husband is at home most of the time, there are week long stretches and almost every weekend that he is gone working. It's good because it gives us a "break" and a chance to miss each other. And I do miss him and realize how much he really does help and how much our toddler misses him and asks where he is because she is just so used to him being there. There was one time he had been gone for a week and asked if we wanted to leave for the weekend to visit his sister. I said sure but don't you just want to get home and be here for a bit? Then he said,  it doesn't matter, you are my home. I'm not sure why but that statement just caught me off guard a little. I then realized that it doesnt really matter where we work, how much money we make, or where we live. As long as we're together, we are home.

And that realization has made me shift my focus about a lot of things. I am more grateful for our situation and our circumstances. I am more appreciative of the little things and the everyday moments that we get to experience at home. This stage of life we're in isn't easy-two young kids, pretty much pinching every penny, renting an old apartment, and sharing a car. It isn't easy but it's ours and we have so so much to be grateful for and all these "things" don't mean anything. This stage of life won't last forever and neither will these trials or the young and sweet ages of our kids. They will grow up, we will grow up, we will reach our goals and our dreams and experience a more full and adventurous life. But right now this stage is for learning, growing, dreaming, loving, playing, and enjoying the simplicity that is ours.