Every day this month, I will be featuring an interview with a working mom just like you. It’s called A Day in the Life of a Working Mom.
We’ll learn about what she does for work, her family life, and….her tips/tricks for getting everything done.
Today’s featured Working Mom is Kerissa!
Tell us about your family (married, significant other, children’s ages, etc.).
My family consists of me and my 16 year old son. No pets. Just us, lol!
Where do you live?
I live in sunny South Florida.
What do you do for a living?
I’m an educator for one of the largest school districts in Florida.
How do you fit blogging into the mix (if it’s not your “day job”)?
I blog a lot on the go. My son’s band schedule and my activity schedule keeps us away from home quite a bit so I use my phone as much as possible.
What is your typical day like?
I’m up between 5 am and 6. I pray, sometimes I eat breakfast, get dressed, and head to work. Report time is 7:20 – I try to be there by 7:10. I teach 3 intensive reading class until 2:50. Then I tutor Monday through Thursday from 3 until 4:30.
I usually remain at work until my son is dismissed from band practice at 5:45 then we head home. Depending on the day of the week and the week, I could have additional activities 2 to 3 times a week.
I cook for the week on Sunday or Monday so we eat dinner together Sunday through Thursday.
I spend time promoting my blog/brand on social media for a few hours. I ensure the kid completes his homework, I check in with my mom, I make sure I know what I’m wearing to work by selecting from the rack of clothes I’ve laid out for the week then off to bed I go between the hours of 11 and 1AM. I know crazy!! Life of a single mom.
What’s the best thing about being a working mom? What’s the hardest thing?
I get to exercise my gift. Teaching is such a natural thing to me. Being a single mom and having to do it all. The hardest is trying to maintain my blog (because I love my writing space) and get enough sleep.
Do you experience guilt associated with being a working mom?
No. My son and I have been at the same school 4 of his 11 years. We are currently at the same location. He’s older and has friend that he hangs out with when he’s free so I have the freedom to do things I love like volunteering, going to the beach and reading. I rarely bring work home.
How do you handle day to day responsibilities (meals, laundry, cleaning, chauffeuring kids, Dr. appointments, school meetings, etc.)?
Do it when I can. I’m the only chauffeur because my son isn’t driving yet. So my life is centered around his band activities.
When I have conflicting appointments I ask for help.
I schedule Dr. appointments early morning.
I’m already at school so if there’s an evening meeting, I stay (yes, it makes the day longer).
I cook 2 full meals at the beginning of the week.
We each do our own laundry. I own a lot of underwear – like seriously, A LOT.
Bathrooms get cleaned on the regular. Bedrooms are left up to the occupant. Common spaces are cleaned by my son on the weekends.
What are your top 3 – 5 tips for keeping everything together?
Faith in God, what I call NKT (no kid time) and acceptance that I can’t do it all.
Guilty pleasures?
Coke, cupcakes, lipsticks, shopping and social media.
Is there anything else you’d like to add that you think would encourage other working moms?
Build yourself a good support system especially single moms with younger kids. Ask for help when needed. Check out when needed. Relax, rest and be rejuvenated. Say No! And be ok with missing out.
Where You Can Find Kerissa:
A Diva Mom’s Journey
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
What was helpful that you can apply to your work mom life?
Let me know in the comments below. If you have an extra moment, head over to give that working mom some love!
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If YOU would like to be featured, send an email to raki at outsidetheboxmom dot com. If all of the October spots have been filled, I will feature your interview in a continued series.
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