Sometimes being a home-based professional and a parent can leave you feeling stuck in the middle of two worlds, the world of the stay-at-home parent and the world of the working parent. It is sometimes an uncomfortable spot, yes, but it is also an enviable position.
One of the great things about being a work-at-home parent (besides being home with the kids) is that you are able to understand and empathize with both working parents and stay-at-home parents because your life contains elements of each. You can relate to your friend that works in an office when she talks about her boss, or the seemingly impossible deadline that she is up against because you (probably) have a boss and you have probably had to do quite a bit of juggling to meet deadlines of your own. The same goes for your other friend, who is a stay at home parent. You can understand how isolating being at home can be, and how it feels to not leave the house for days at a time.
On the other hand, there are times when you may be made to feel like you do not do either of your “jobs” right. Unfortunately, the “mommy wars” are still being fought in playgroups and on playgrounds across the nation. Parents are judging other parents, and harshly so. Instead of reaching out to support one another, some are busy cutting others down because of their parenting choices. It is not always stay-at-home parents versus working parents, work-at-home parents can be the target of criticism from both sides. Working parents may try to say that your work is not as good as theirs is because it is not done in an office or because you work fewer hours per week. Stay-at-home parents may criticize you for not being fully available to your kids all of the time that you are at home.
I am not sure how others feel, but I feel fortunate to be a work-at-home parent. While it is not always easy, at the end of the day I feel good about what I do, both on the job and with my family. As for the “mommy wars” and those who pass judgment….I do my best to ignore them and I avoid passing judgment on others. Whether they are working at home, staying at home, or working outside of the home, they most likely made their decision the same way I made mine – based upon what will work best for their family.