Guest post from Brittany of Equipping Godly Women
Two years ago, when my son was born, I quit my teaching job to be a full-time stay-at-home mom. I figured I would only be able to stay home for a few months before I would have to find some type of part-time job to help cover our bills. After all, babies aren’t cheap and we didn’t have much in the way of savings.
Eventually, I would have to go back to work, but I hoped we would at least make it through the holidays with me at home.
Little did I know that just a few weeks later I would come across an article that would change my life forever.
When I read “4 Websites Absolutely Anyone Can Use to Make Money Online,” a guest post on MoneySavingMom.com, and signed up for Textbroker, I didn’t think much of it. I figured I might make a few bucks here and there until the day I had to go get a “real job”.
Well, it’s been two years now, and I’m now a work-at-home mom. I absolutely love it!
Are you looking for ways to increase your family’s income, pay down your debt, or provide a little extra breathing room in your budget? Do you need or prefer a job you can do from home while still taking care of your children? If so, working from home might be a good option for you!
Here are four questions you should ask yourself when considering if working from home is right for you.
1. Do You Have the Time?
Working from home may be much more flexible and convenient than working in a traditional office setting, but it is still a job, and jobs require time. If your schedule is already jam-packed with church and family commitments or if your children are very young and require a lot of time and attention, you may not have the time to be as successful as you’d like.
This doesn’t mean you can’t work a little, or that you can’t wait and find a work-at-home job when your schedule clears up. It just means you need to be realistic with the amount of time that working from home can take. It’s more than you might think.
2. Do You Have the Drive?
Of course, all of the time in the world is not going to be enough if you don’t have the drive and motivation to use it properly. When you work from home, you don’t have a boss staring over your shoulder, making sure you get things done. It is up to you to find or make the time to complete your responsibilities, whether you feel like it or not.
I’ll be honest. There are plenty of times when I’d much rather lay on the couch eating cookies and playing on Facebook than sitting down to write. There are plenty of distractions and plenty of other things I’d rather be doing instead. Yet, I know if I don’t get my work done, I’m not getting a paycheck that week. Self-discipline is a must.
3. Is Your Family Supportive?
The decision to work from home doesn’t just affect you; it affects your family too. Who will take care of your children while you are working? If you will limit your work times to when your children are sleeping, when will you spend time with your husband? Will your family still expect you to complete all of your typical household duties in addition to working, or are they willing to help out?
Even if time isn’t a factor, many people are under the mistaken impression that work-at-home moms just hang out at home on Facebook all day. Will you be able to handle the criticism if people start telling you that you need to “get a real job?”
4. Have You Considered the Downsides?
As much as I absolutely love being a work-at-home mom, I have to admit that it does come with some downsides. For example, working from home often means you get limited adult interaction, you have to keep track of your own taxes (which are expensive!) and you really have to be proactive about going out and finding work.
Finding the balance between work and home can be tricky, since you’re always at work, and the hours can be quite long.
Even with the downsides, though, working from home can be a fantastic solution for individuals who want to be able to spend time with their children and still contribute to their family’s income. It’s the perfect solution for me, and it might be for you too!
Have you ever considered working from home?
A devoted Christian, wife and mother, Brittany loves helping other women grow in these roles as well. When she isn’t busy taking care of her growing family, you can find her at Equipping Godly Women, where she regularly shares tips, tricks and encouragement to help you be the amazing woman God created you to be. Brittany is also the author of “Putting God First: How to Make God the #1 Priority in Every Area of Your Life,” now available on Amazon.
Laura @ PiggyBankDreams says
Stellar article, Brittany! A great friend and I were just talking about how there are days when we miss office life now that we are work-at-home moms. I think we are both just social creatures seeking a little more face time with people over three feet tall each day. But I wouldn’t trade the chance to be home with my children for the world!
Brittany @ Equipping Godly Women says
Thanks, Laura! And the good news is–you don’t have to!
Amy says
Great post. I’ve been a work at home mom off and on for quite a few years. When they were younger, I had childcare for them. They are older now and they go “hang-out” with a friend sometime when I’m working. I don’t think they needed to be “suffer” (not being paid attention to) just because I was working.
The hardest thing for me sometimes is turning work off and not checking e-mail just because I walk by my computer.
I don’t work that many hours a week so I do have other adult interaction thankfully, but that is a very good consideration.
The biggest thing about working from home is that you actually do have to work. I can change out laundry quickly, but I try not to plan on doing too many things around the house that I couldn’t do if I was in an office during my work hours.
Brittany @ Equipping Godly Women says
Yes! That balance is definitely difficult to achieve–especially since our computer is in the living room–it’s always there!
Susan says
Don’t confuse working from home with self-employment. Working from home doesn’t necessarily mean you have to keep track of your own taxes. There are plenty of companies who allow employees to work from home.
Same with no adult interaction. It depends on the job/industry more than the physical location.
Brittany @ Equipping Godly Women says
That’s true! Thanks for the reminder.
HokieKate says
I’m glad that you addressed the downsides. I was blessed to be able to work from home for three years while my children were very young. I felt so isolated. My older daughter went to daycare because I couldn’t get my work done with her underfoot, and many days the few minutes with the daycare teachers at drop off and pick up were my only interactions with adults other than my husband. I’ve been working in an office (now in a different field) for about a year now, and socially it is so much better for me, even though I miss the flexibility of working from home.
Brittany @ Equipping Godly Women says
Yes, as much as I love working from home, it’s definitely not for everyone! It’s a great option to have though.
Keelie Reason says
Love this post. Great job on finding a job you can work from home. Congrats!
Brittany @ Equipping Godly Women says
Thanks, Keelie!