The Truth About Moms Working from Home

Even before the economy tanked, "work from home moms" was a very popular niche. I was attracted to the idea of being a work from home mom when I found out I was pregnant with our first son. I will never forget the deep desire in me to be a real full time at home mommy. Now that I have successfully accomplished being a work at home mom with my own internet home business...I began to realize that it's really not all it's cracked up to be (well, kind of...I'll explain).

While the image of not having to get up each day, get yourself and baby dressed (and maybe other children as well), lug them out the door to some sort of child care, commuting to work, then picking them up and participating in school related activities seems like a lot....well, when I think about it, it is. But honestly, since joining the moms working from home club, I've come to realize that the load is not lighter and on top of it I feel a little disconnected from the real world. Let me explain...

You see I grew up in a home with a single mother who usually worked two jobs. Even though she was able to have the summer months off, since she was a Teacher, my mom still had to constantly work in order to take care of me and my brother and our home. And I respect her a lot for it...but, as a child I felt a huge disconnect. I was always shuffled around from one babysitter to the next, one after school program followed by another, and so on until I reached an age where I could be trusted to be left home alone. At that point I was then left to care for myself and my younger brother.

I understand my mom had to do what she had to do - I will always love, respect, and admire her (and other single moms) for that. However, it did have a major influence on my emotions as a child and later in life. I swore up and down that I would NEVER do that to my children. And, honestly, I have to say that I have been TRULY BLESSED because I haven't had to shuffle them around at all. I have had the opportunity to stay home with them almost full time. I did work part time and sometimes full time outside of the home for a while - and while I was doing that they were either home with their father or with one of our mothers.

Remember I mentioned I "kind of" successfully accomplished being a mom working from home? What I meant by "kind of" is that, while I do have a very successful internet home business, I don't feel completely successful with the way I have been a mother, or wife. What do I mean?

Well, in the beginning I spent Countless hours online trying to figure out this whole internet thing out... To the point where I was neglecting my duties as a mother (and wife). There were many days where the laundry baskets and kitchen sink were overflowing with clothes and dishes that needed to be washed. And, unfortunately, some nights we were eating dinner at 9 and 10 o'clock at night...must I go on? And from speaking with other mothers who have also created a living from home - I'm not alone.

And if that wasn't enough, worst of all, there were days where I almost forgot to shower or get dressed. To some it may sound ideal to be home in your pj's working, but I learned it wasn't for me. I was pounding away at the computer with a baby in my arms or at my breasts (I've exclusively breastfed all 3 of our boys) or a toddler wandering around. Now, I'm not saying this was an everyday thing, because it wasn't. And I'm also not saying all work at home moms do this. I'm just saying some do, and I was one of them.

So the whole point of this Hub was to warn you of what might happen IF you decided to switch gears from being a stay at home mom or mom who works outside the home to a work at home mother. Basically, I want to protect you from all the pretty pictures they paint of moms sitting at a computer with a baby in her arms.

Ladies (and gents) it's not that glamorous. It is a blessing, but there's a lot more to it than what meets the eye. Depending on what kind of work you are doing from home, it's not the least bit convenient to have a baby on your lap while you are trying to type or answer/make phone calls. It's not too bad if you're just trying to surf the net, but if you're trying to work, it's not ideal.

While it looks and sounds great, I had to learn that in order to make money in my business I had to work it and treat it like a business. However, with the industry I work in, I Really could mold my schedule around my family and other commitments.

I learned how to be a successful mom working from home, and if that is your desire, I believe you can make it work at well. Here's how I suggest to:

1. Arrange for child care. Once you have decided that you are going to work from home and what exactly it is that you will be doing, the next step is to arrange child care. I know for some it may feel like that's defeating the whole purpose of working at home and I really don't know if it will work out for you with a child home with you while you are trying to work. All I know is, it hasn't worked for me. This can be worked out in many different ways. You can have a friend or relative come over while you work just to keep your little one out of the way (and I do suggest that you stay out of sight. There's something about knowing mommy's home). Or you can arrange for them to spend time with Grandma and Grandpa...or you could just put them in a regular child care program or pay someone to come and watch your child in the home while you are there.
2. Make a schedule. This is one of the areas that I needed the most help in. It's really important that you treat your business or work at home as a business or job. Otherwise, you most likely won't make any real money doing it. If you are working from home, this is usually where the beauty of it all comes in to play. (Note: If you are working a telecommuting job for a company this may not apply because you may be forced to work the hours they set for you.) However, if you are working your own home business, you really can schedule your work hours and days whenever and wherever you want. Some days you can work from home, others from your friends, and others from a library or coffee house. It's completely up to you!
3. Stick to your schedule. Meaning you give work the time and attention that it needs, without distractions. And on the same token, it's really important that you give your child all the time and attention they deserve, without distractions (no work related phone calls, emails, etc). The best thing you can do for your self, your little one, and your spouse is schedule out your day and week allowing time for each of them.
4. Get social. One of the biggest disconnects of being a work at home mom is not having anyone to socialize with. Honestly, in the beginning, I thought this was going to be one of the things I would love the most. No boss, no office politics, etc. But in fact, it can be very isolating and lonely at times. So I highly suggest that you either work a job or business that requires you to interact with others on the phone or similar or you make sure to schedule real everyday social activities (outside the house!) in addition to your family time and work hours.

Those are the main areas that I felt needed the most attention and help when I decided to become a work from home mother. It took some time for me to shift from an employee mindset to a self employed mindset. This may or may not be the same for you...I don't know. What I do know is now that I have learned what areas in working from home I had problems in and how to fix the them and now that I am applying them my internet home business has taken off to new heights!