Why I chose to be a work at home mum
Before I had kids I always imagined myself as a career woman. Over the years I moved from one job to another depending on where I lived. I worked as Human Resources Specialist, Warehouse Manager and in my last field as a full time job in Supply Chain Management.
When my youngest was born and we moved closer to my parents I knew that none of the jobs mentioned above was possible. Thankfully, I already started to have a little bit of income through this blog which help greatly for a mum of two young children with her husband working away.
However, at the moment advertising and sponsored posts through my blog are not my main income. Almost two years ago I started a different journey as a Freelancer in Digital Marketing and it’s been great an amazing journey. Finally I feel accomplished and like I can do more than just look after my daughters, I can be more than a mum.
UPS of being a WAHM
- You are there for your children – At any point in their life you are there. When they go through something exciting, when they are ill or they just need a hug you are there for them. And almost nothing can take you away from them. I love the fact that I am their first call when they need something(although sometimes can be a real pain haha) and they know they can always rely on me for whatever they need.
- You can make your own working hours – As long as I make sure things are happening at the right time(thanks to scheduling programs) I can arrange my work around my girls own schedule – nursery and school run, english and ballet lessons etc. Sometimes when I know exactly whats coming I can arrange to have days off and still be paid.
- Bye bye commuting – This is just great! My commute time was so annoying back in my days in Bucharest or London. Having to travel for an hour and a bit to get in and from work was simply exhausting. Now I can take my laptop anywhere in the house if I want to – at the dining table, in my bedroom or on the couch.
- You are mobile – You can work from anywhere, So basically even if you are out in the park with your girls you can still answer tweets and comment on Facebook(well in my field anyway). What I love is the fact that you can travel for pleasure and visit places as there is some kind of internet connection anywhere you go.
- Your life is more balanced – Being a working mom means that you are able to have adult time as well as time with your children, giving your life a sense of balance. Spending all your time with your little ones can lead to a loss of identity as you forget who you were before you started.
Downs for being a WAHM
- You are perpetually busy – I am always on the go and I rarely find time to relax. I woke up an hour before my girls to give myself time to make a start with work and to drink my coffee and be up for preparing them for school and nursery and for the school and nursery run. I work in the evenings and weekends even to make time for those times when my girls don’t allow me to work.
- Getting away is even harder – When your kids are used to me being at home it’s even harder to get away for a meal or drink with my girl friends. So sometimes even you might find a babysitter and schedule a night away you might still need to put a stop to your plans. As they are so used with me being around all the time they got quite dependant and my youngest can even start running a fever just to see me home.
- Isolation – When you work from home you don’t really have to get away especially these days when you can simply set chats online with programs like Skype or FaceTime. I certainly feel trapped during the kids holidays from school when it feels there is no more time for myself. You see when my girls are at school/nursery I manage to getaway for a walk around the shops or for a coffee with a friend but during holidays they are always with me. I take a LOT of Magnesium during those days.
- Finding time to get everything time can be a challenge – I love working around my kids schedule but sometimes you might need to do something important for work or urgent and your kid might need your attention too. Finding time to fit everything in its so difficult. Who are you going to prioritise? Your work that brings money for your family or your child that really needs you? Sometimes my days go past so fast…that I forget to get out of my pj’s or eat. Other days I work while I eat, I compose emails while I help my eldest with her maths homework or I stop some of my blog posts in the middle to go outside or for a school run.
Some advice
Despite everything I believe that its great being a Work at Home Mum for all the reasons i mentioned above and for some other reasons I didn’t mention yet.
Sure I have to be very, very organised (and believe me that is not at all my in my nature) and plan days in advance. I also need to have a back-up plan in place – what if I need to pick my eldest from school while I am still in a meeting with my boss? Well than I need to call a friend – in my case my father, a mums colleague or even find a sitter. Yes, having someone else to help you with little things can be great as you don’t always have to be running around. Of course, you will have to put in the balance the cost of missing some work with the cost of a sitter but sometimes you just need that full day away from the kids and just do your work.
Having a friend or simply someone to chat that is a work at home mum as well can be very helpful. If you live close to each other you can help each other even more. If that is not the case, than you have lots of resources online – from Facebook groups where you can chat to other mums to WAHM forum. I love the latter as is a fantastic resource and source of support for many WAHMs. Check them out for even for job leads and just commiseration.
Also, a thing I am still working at – make your own space for working. It doesn’t have to be a full office but you need a place in your home where you can go and work in piece away from the distraction of the kids. You might find a mayhem when you finish working but at least you done what you had to do in peace.
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20 Comments
Amber Myers
Yup, this is true! I’ve started earning money through blogging so I’m on my laptop throughout the day. It can be difficult when the kids come home from school.
Savannah
I believe I would enjoy being a WAHM and I’m through my blog I hope I can start bringing in even the slightest income. For the time being it’s what fits my lifestyle with my two boys. I am still in school and pursuing a career in nursing.
kristen morris
It sounds like the positives of being a work from home mum definitely outweigh the challenges! I wish you the best of luck carving out some time for yourself, I can imagine that would be terribly difficult.
Urvi
I am totally in favor of work from home. It gives you so many benefits and my favorites are you can set your work hours and save time from commuting.But it’s true that you get isolate and didn’t get a chance to meet actual human being. Hope you are enjoying your work from home
Esse D
I absolutely love this post! I started to aspire to be a WAHM when I had my son almost 2 years ago. I’m in a really corporate career and I have SOME flexibility, but I want to really be my own boss. Thanks for highlighting the pros AND the cons of it!
Payastyle
I can see it has pros and cons, as everything. I think finding a group of other moms working at home could help, take a break and meet for a coffee during the day.
Author Brandi Kennedy
I love seeing posts like this – the upsides and the downsides of what do as working mothers. It isn’t always easy, that’s for sure! But I’m with you – I find it to be 100% worth it, every time.
Elizabeth O.
Working at home obviously has its ups and downs but it’s really perfect for moms who would like to stay at home with their kids. It’s just that you really need a working schedule so that you won’t stray. A little interaction with friends and family is really important too.
Carol Cassara
The feeling of being isolated is one that’s tough to beat. I think it’s really important that you take a day off every week or every once in a while to break that feeling.
yvette
Oh boy you nailed it! I’ve had a few different positions over the last decade as a WAHM, and it has been so challenging to find the right balance for me. I love it for all the reasons you mention, but I really am having a difficult time finding out the best way to schedule things. Hopefully with time I can manage to figure it out so that I don’t always feel so ‘busy’.
The Travel Ninjas
Your post is so honest and balanced. So much is either glowing “everything-is-perfect” bragging or unfair bashing. Thanks for letting us see how it really is.
blair villanueva
Now that am a career woman, I always have fantasize to become a work at home Mum soon! I would be incharge of my time and be more productive, plus I could take care the house and my future family.
SisterChronix
We personally aren’t moms yet, and reading your post on being a WAHM definitely gives us a new respect for moms who work from home. Props to you! We think it indeed has more ups than downs overall, and hopefully one day we’ll be lucky enough to be WAHM’s too!
Terri Beavers
I would have loved to have been a WAHM when my kids were small. I am one to watch my grand kids though. It’s a challenge though.
Cynthia Nicoletti
It is wonderful to be a work at home mom. Just like you mentioned you can make your own hours, stop if necessary and all around it is the best feeling. I have been working from home for over 20 years now. I love every minute of it.
Ruth I.
My sister and I are working from home. We take turns in taking care of my niece. It’s really not easy but we are happy.
jen
Working from home is a definitely a challenge, but I love being around for my kids!
xo
jen
effortlesseverydaystyle.com
Ana De- Jesus
There will always be pros and cons but good for you for becoming a work at home mum. You sure must be busy but it is amazing that you get to spend time with your kids x
CourtneyLynne
I’m a WAHM! While sometimes my work hours can be ridiculous, I would t trade it for the world!
Otilia
Totally agreeing with you !