It's Working Project

"Your love for your career and your love for your family don't have to negatively affect each other. In fact, I think as you grow to love one more, your love for the other can expand just as much."

Jill Krause is the voice of Baby Rabies, the wildly popular parenting blog on which Jill speaks candidly (and hilariously) about the struggles and joys of raising her family. With three young children, another on the way, and an influencer/writer/photographer career that is also growing along with her family, her It’s Working story provides key perspectives on managing career and kids.

What was your primary motivation for returning to work or changing your work situation after starting a family?

I left the corporate office world because I wanted something that would challenge me creatively. What started as a creative outlet- Blogging- became a career that I was able to balance with motherhood that also left me a ton of room for personal growth, and continues to challenge me in exciting ways.

What was your biggest challenge to going back to work after starting a family?

The biggest challenge for me continues to be time management. I love my job and there are days I want to just immerse myself in the projects I’m working on, but I try to remember that the whole reason I chose this as a career was so I could have plenty of family time. I work from home, and it’s hard to turn off office hours when my office is right there.

What factors contributed to your chosen feeding method for your baby?

For me, breastfeeding was something I really wanted to work. I was incredibly fortunate that I had plenty of time off with my first baby because that was a tough relationship to establish. It became easier with each baby, and it’s truly a matter of convenience for me. I’ve said several times that I don’t know how successful I would be at it if I had to work away from the home on a regular basis. I’m very lucky to be able to spend most of my days working at home.

How easy was it to put a childcare arrangement together and did it work for your family?

Even though I’m a work-at-home mom, I can’t be both a working mom and a mom responsible for children at the same time most days. My babies go to daycare (or we’ve hired a nanny) from the time they are about 6 months old. For me, trying to work from home and parent at the same time was a lose-lose combination for all involved. This arrangement gives me the time to focus on tasks that are essential for maintaining professional relationships, and also lets my kids do fun stuff like paint and make messes with glitter, which I refuse to do with them in the house. Ha!

A good day is when:

A good day is when I tackle at least one work project, feel accomplished and on task, and I still have time to make the family dinner and sit on the front porch while my kids play as the sunsets.

What I wish I had known:

I wish I had known there would be a lot of hard days, but to stay focused on the big picture.

Best piece of advice for other parents starting a family and deciding on how to balance family life and work?

Your love for your career and your love for your family don’t have to negatively affect each other. In fact, I think as you grow to love one more, your love for the other can expand just as much.

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