Work at home mums
When you become pregnant or have a baby, your priorities really change. Things that seemed important to you before pale into insignificance as your bundle of joy takes up most of your time and energy.
These feelings are completely natural – as is the profound sadness that can set in when it’s time to return to work and you have to put your baby in daycare.
There are alternatives to going out to work though. Working from home will enable you to spend more time with your baby and there are many options open to you depending on your skills. You don't necessarily have to stuff envelopes or work in customer service, although there's nothing wrong with doing this if you wish. You can either work for someone else, or for yourself. The internet has made this more possible than ever. If you have a great idea you could run a website; or what about blogging, virtual assistant jobs or even proofreading, editing or writing? Other opportunities include bookkeeping, freelance computer consulting and repair; paralegal services and medical transcription services.
If you have particular skills, such as baking, making jewelry or picture framing, you could put these into practice and set up your own business. Alternately you could sell products: cosmetics perhaps; or start up a kids’ party business. If you're bilingual, you could consider teaching a foreign language to either adults or children and there are also opportunities in the field of online tuition.
Home daycare is a good option too – and while some other at-home jobs might still require you to have someone else care for your baby or child for a few hours a day, caring for someone else’s child means you can have your own child in the mix too. As an added bonus, it's also a great way for your child to get used to other children from an early age. Laura, 32, is a mom-of-one and a home daycare provider in Boulder, CO. Here she shares her experiences of working from home: “Before I had my son, Ethan, I’d planned to go back to my job in retail but after the first week I knew I couldn't bear to leave him. My partner, Joe, was very supportive, and we started to consider other options. A friend of mine suggested I become an in-home caregiver for other children, as it meant I’d be able to spend more time with Jack – and it’s worked out really well for me. I look after a little girl who’s the same age as Ethan and it’s great. Sometimes I do miss adult conversation but I've been there for all those important milestones that many of my friends have missed. I was there when Jack got his first tooth and when he learnt to walk. I've definitely found that the pros outweigh the cons.”
Sarah, 29, mum to one-year-old Ella, has been proofreading from her home in Atlanta, GA, ever since her daughter was six months old. Here she shares her story: “I loved my job in publishing, but when I found out I was pregnant I knew I wanted to be a hands-on mom. While I was pregnant, I completed an at-home proofreading course and for the past six months, I've been proofreading manuscripts during Ella’s naps and after she's in bed. It keeps my brain stimulated and it really helps to have that extra money coming in. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone who's keen to work from home.”
If you're not going to work in something like childcare, bear in mind that you won't necessarily be spending all day with your child. You will have to focus on the job in hand, be it jewelry making or writing a magazine article. Not all babies nap to order so you may well have to arrange some daycare – perhaps a reciprocal arrangement with another local mom or a few hours with grandma every week. Another option is working in the evenings if your partner is happy to take over the baby care when they get in from work.
Time management is of the utmost importance if you're working from home. You’ll have to be disciplined and have the ability to motivate yourself, so write yourself a realistic schedule. You’ll also need space to work – do you have a spare room or basement to turn into an office or workshop? There are many aspects to consider if you want to stay at home, but if you're determined and focused, you can really make it work. Good luck!
• Work at Home Mom (www.wahm.com) is an online magazine featuring helpful articles and job opportunities.
The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.