by Ruth Floresca

Created on: December 07, 2008

I am a work-at-home-mom. I have been contributing articles to several local publications here in the Philippines since 2002 and I'm very happy to be able to do that. Most of the time, I can schedule my work hours around my responsibilities as a wife and mom.

I used to work full-time. But when my third son was born and was diagnosed a few months later with cerebral palsy, I chose to be the one to take care of him instead of hiring somebody to do the job for me. My conscience couldn't accept that. I wouldn't trust anyone other than immediate family members to care for my son who wouldn't be able to speak up if someone does him harm.

My working "day" usually starts at night. After I'm done with all the house chores and have attended to my family's needs, I can finally concentrate on researching and writing my articles. I'm often awake the whole night while everyone's asleep. Incidentally, my son with special needs is also usually awake during nighttime. While I am working in front of the computer, I let him watch his favorite shows on DVD.

By 5 a.m., I would start making breakfast for my other kids before the transport service comes to bring them to school. After they leave past 6 a.m., their brother and I can finally go to sleep. I set my alarm before noon so I can prepare lunch before my third grader comes home at 12:30p.m.

In the afternoon, I allot time for client calls, follow up on interviewees or resource persons, communicate with my editors and check emails. These I do in between loading up the washing machine with dirty clothes, washing the dishes, tube-feeding my other son, doing some general cleaning and preparing for the afternoon snack my other kids can eat when they arrive from school. If I have urgent writing deadlines to finish, I also squeeze that in my already fully-packed schedule.

Before evening falls, I'd be found preparing dinner, assisting the kids with their homework and doing other chores I still needed to finish. After eating dinner together, we try to get some bonding time done by watching a DVD together or play a game of Scrabble or Jenga.

My routine only changes every now and then when I needed to go out of the house to do personal interviews, collect check payments, attend events related to work or buy groceries. I am fortunate to be able to call my in-laws once in a while to babysit. If they're not available, my third grader can hold the fort and watch his brother while waiting for his older brothers or their dad to come home early from work.

I guess things would have been different if all my kids are able to go to school and no one is left behind during the day. But as it is, I am very blessed to be able to earn money while I stay home and be with my family more.

Yes, it is exhausting at times as I long ago vowed not to rely on a maid to help me with the chores. After having house helpers who were all frustratingly incompetent, I found that I am more stressed when there is someone else living with us who is difficult to get along with.

At the moment, I can honestly say that I am at peace with the setup we have at home. I have a husband who assists me with housework when he's here and kids who take on small tasks that ease some of my responsibilities. No, we are not as financially comfortable as we would have liked but we get by because there is still much to be happy and thankful about.

Learn more about this author, Ruth Floresca.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.