Working Mom Series – Chelsea from The Mommy and the Mini

I have a had a resurgence of interest in my Working Moms Series, so I’m reviving it!  Today I have Chelsea from The Mommy and the Mini sharing her story.

Chelsea has recently launched her blog, AND recently returned to work.  That’s a lot to take on at once!  But she’s doing it all in the interest of giving her daughter the best she can.  Respect!

Here are Chelsea’s responses to my questions. Be sure to visit her blog, The Mommy and the Mini.  She’s just starting out!

Describe your home life – how old are your kids? Does your spouse work as well? Or are you a single parent?

I live with my fiancé and almost 2-year-old daughter. My fiancé works in side walling and roofing but since we live in Massachusetts, he doesn’t work much if it’s too cold. We live in an apartment complex that is in the same town as where my fiancé has grown up so it’s close to his family (that is always a big plus if we need a last-minute babysitter). It’s cozy and just perfect for us.

What do you do? Describe your working life.

I am an Office Assistant to a solar installer utility company. I pretty much sit at a computer all day ordering things for the office and doing little chores and tasks that the office team gives me. It’s a slow-paced work day for me but I love it since I’m only just getting into the swing of things.

And how many hours do you work in a week?

I work about 31 hours a week. But with my commute to work, it’s about 35. Then I try to work on my blog for a couple hours every night. It’s exhausting, but I enjoy it.

How soon did you return to work after having a child?  And is your work life the same now (same job, or role at that job?)

My fiancé and I lived with my future in-laws for about 2 years while I stayed home and cared for our baby girl. I did small babysitting jobs to earn a little something extra where I could bring my daughter with me. It was a blessing to have that time with her, but I knew I needed to find a full-time job so we could afford to move out since the rent in this area is not cheap. It’s why I am at my current job and have been here since the end of October of 2017.

What do you do to treat yourself?  Do you have something in your routine that you do just for you?

I don’t do too much for me per say, I like to watch cooking shows so it’s nice to sit back on the couch and watch someone cook, it usually makes me want to get in the kitchen myself and try to make something.

Touch on your most and least favourite things about being a working parent.

My favourite thing about being a working parent is that I know I’m helping to support my child and helping to build up the savings so we can have a decent life so she doesn’t have to worry about a struggling family.

My least favourite thing is that I miss spending so much time with her. I was so used to spending 24/7 with her and now it’s a bit upsetting having to roll out of bed and send her off to wherever she is going that day whether it’s the babysitters or to daycare.

What are your goals going forward?

I have a few goals, one of my big goals is to have more family time on the weekends. I want to plan one day of the weekend to do something fun with my family and enjoy the time spent with them. Another is to expand my blog and hopefully connect with as many people as I can about being a working parent or even just a parent in general. I know it’s hard and I’m sure they feel it too. It’d be nice to have someone that understands what I’m going through while I’m going through it, and maybe someone else is going through it too.

Any tips to share for balance in your life?

If you need help with something, ask for it! I just started working and I thought I could be wonder woman and could juggle working, cooking, cleaning, playing with my daughter, hanging out with my fiancé, and not to mention laundry. It’s a rough task and sometimes I think I can do it all and it just ends up a disaster. It’s easier to ask my fiancé to help me out and give him a honey to do list when he’s home with our daughter for the day. In the long run, it will help you out and then you get more you time!

Chelsea is a twenty-five-year-old working parent with an energetic toddler. She loves to spend time in the kitchen, the gym, making lists, and of course with her family. You can get more in-depth in her life on her blog.

Blog: http://themommyandthemini.com

Instagram: http://instagram.com/chellybearxx

Twitter: @mommyandthemini

If you enjoy this series, click here to read the other ladies who’ve volunteered their stories.  And then join my email list –  I’d love to have you in my tribe!   

If you’d like to be featured, email me at modernmom@jessicafoley.ca or visit my contact page for other ways to get in touch.

~Jess