Last May, I left my job to become a stay-at-home mom. With taking care of T and working part-time, it just became difficult to juggle both an active baby and meetings and deadlines. I consider myself fortunate that I was able to choose between the two.
It was a tough choice. I really did like my job, coordinating events for a local non-profit, where I got to do something different every day. But working part-time, I was making about as much as it would cost to send my little guy to daycare for the same amount of time. Plus, I just wanted to be with him, to watch him grow up. Seeing that I had the opportunity, and knowing not everyone gets that chance, I took it.
It turns out, though, that blogging has become my new part-time job. And no, it’s not because being a stay-at-home mom is so easy that I needed something else to fill up my time! There’s plenty to do between keeping baby fed, happy, and entertained, and housework. But I’ve figured out that it’s something I really needed, and I so encourage other stay-at-home moms to consider doing this for a variety of reasons:
- Interaction. It’s a way to be social and connect with people, even without leaving the house all day. Every day is different as a SAHM. Sometimes you get to go on playdates and hang out with other mommas, sometimes between colds, appointments, housework, and errands, you just can’t. This is a way I can consistently interact with others.
- Side Income. It’s nice to get a little extra money in. I’m not bankrolling the household expenses by any means, but it is always helpful to add to the bank account. Plus we’re saving part of what I make for a vacation – it makes me feel good that I can contribute to that!
- Fulfillment. You can get a good deal of purpose and fulfillment from working. Sometimes it makes me feel insecure that I don’t contribute to our family in the same way my husband does (even though he claims that isn’t true). Working helps me feel to feel a sense of purpose, and that I do contribute!
- Accomplishment. In addition to extra cash, you can feel such a sense of accomplishment and confidence from your work. Not that you don’t get that as a momma! But it’s a different kind of reward that you see in both.
- Ownership. I like having something that’s my own, something that’s away from the baby and the household. Maybe it goes back to accomplishment, but I take pride in it.
- Time Management. Blogging forces me to be efficient with my time, and helps keep me motivated to get done what I need to instead of procrastinating – like with housework. It also helps me to keep more organized in general.
- Job Skills. I have learned so much about marketing, social media, websites, and business through blogging, plus it keeps my current skills sharp. All of these things will be useful to re-enter the workforce, if/when I do.
- Creative Outlet. This may be a huge generalization, but I believe everyone needs a creative outlet, or we’ll go nuts! The sky is the limit to the kind of work you can do from home now – there are some ideas below – and many of those ways offer opportunities to get creative.
- A Mental Break. Let’s face it – we need to have our own space and time to ourselves. When your full-time job is also your full-time life, it can feel a bit overwhelming. Having my own work and bit of my own space on the internet is sometimes the most away I can be, but it’s effective for me.
Really, there are all kinds of opportunities to work as a SAHM.
Blogging is a great one. But it’s a little different now than it was when I started. There’s definitely a lot more blogs in the market. It does involve a lot of work and know-how. But a lot of it can be accomplished with simple Google searches and readily available blog posts and articles. I have a series I started and will be adding to called Moms Who Blog, if you’re curious about what it takes to make money with one.
Another option is direct sales. I know. They can have a negative connotation. But even I, as one of the most skeptical about direct sales, joined one, because there are actually a lot of benefits. Being part of one with a mission means having a purpose bigger than yourself and your products. Plus it means connecting with the most amazing network of people. If you’re interested in this option, just make sure you do your homework.
Of course those are just two options – there are many more ways to side hustle:
- Making and selling your own products
- Teaching online classes
- Being a virtual assistant
- Taking care of others’ children in your home
- Buying and selling on eBay
- Customer service
- Tutoring
- Data entry
- Taking online surveys
- Freelance writing
- Graphic design
- Website design
Would you consider working from home? What kind of job would you be interested in? Or do you already? What do you love about it?
This is something my boyfriend and I have discussed. I don’t want to work fulltime when we have kids, but there is no way that I can’t do anything. I do freelance writing right now and I would love to be able to do more of it. The money is great and it is something I really enjoy doing!
That is awesome! I tried to do freelance writing for a while and had a hard time breaking into it. Good for you, that you already have a leg up on it for when you do become a mom!
Loved this post Jenn! I’m not a SAHM (yet) but I hope to be one day! I’d love to eventually work from home, but I have no clue what I’d do. Luckily, I’ve got lots of time before that becomes a worry for me.
Ha ha, who knows, Rae? 😉 Can’t wait to see your blog when it goes live!!
As someone who has friends who are SAHMs and trying to develop a side hustle, a request: don’t harass your working friends to support your side business. You’re more than welcome to show us what you’re up to and if we’re interested, we’ll bite. BUT if we say we’re not interested, please don’t keep calling and texting us.
Sorry if that comes off ranty, but it’s been happening a lot in my circle.
I couldn’t agree with you more. I have a hard time with parties in particular, because I can’t always afford the items, and it’s hard to say no to a friend!
Now more than ever I think it is important to have a side hustle as a mom – even a mom working FT such as myself. Anything I can bring in to give my daughter a better life I will do!!! I had a blog – well it is still up, 91dash.com – but I’m starting fresh as soon as I have time to complete the look of my site since I already have posts written for it – at marieplusme.blogspot.com
Totally agree! WOW, I have so much respect for you doing both full-time!! Lots of luck as you start over with your new blog. Your shop is amazing! Such great (and accurate) shirts! 🙂
I’m also a stay at home mom, and I run my blog on the side. I totally agree that it gives a sense of accomplishment, helps with time management, and let’s me interact with a lot of different people. Being a mom is the toughest job, but blogging is pretty tough too…..and both are very rewarding.
Totally agree! Not sure which is harder, and then you do them together 😉 Way to go for keeping up with both of them! Will have to check out your blog as a fellow SAHM!
Well said!! I’d have to agree with it all. It’s hard being a SAHM but always nice to feel like more has been accomplished during the day than just wiping up messes, doing the dishes, laundry, picking up blocks for the umptienth time…I love my creative outlets and wouldn’t have it any other way!
Thank you, and YES! Sometimes I just feel like those things are all I’m good for. I need something that’s just for me!
I’m not a mommy yet, but I’ve always wanted to stay at home with my kids (when I have them) while they’re young. I can totally see myself needing a side hustle for almost all of these reasons! Thanks for sharing some plausible ideas.
LiveLifeWell,
Allison
Thanks, Allison! I highly recommend it 😉
Amen to everything you’ve said here. Blogging is much more to me than meets the eye! Sharing.
Thanks so much, Chantal! It definitely is. I think people underestimate both blogging and SAHM-ing 😉
Great post! I started blogging because i wanted to feel like I was doing something other than changing poopy diapers, you know? Now i have started contributing to the household and i love that, even if it’s just a small amount. Something is something.
Thank you! Exactly right. Mommy-ing is fulfilling on it’s own, but I like having something that’s “me” 🙂
I completely agree. You have to have something of your own. Something that you get to wake up and work towards everyday.
Right? Totally needed!
I agree that stay-home moms need something for themselves, even if it isn’t something to earn money. Everyone needs something that feeds them.
I started blogging a few months ago about ways I am learning to create more of a haven in the chaos of raising little kids. Even with only a small following so far it is very fulfilling, plus it helps me process my own thoughts and be more intentional.
True! Money isn’t required; but it definitely helps me to stay focused, and forces me to take time to do it, even when I feel like I’m just too busy. What a great idea! I love the ways you’ve seen how it’s benefitted you.
I totally agree, When I tell people about blogging/ writing etc they immediately assume its because I don’t have enough on my plate, because how dare I do something that gives me an expressive outlet for myself. Great post, totally agree , and i’m loving the blog layout!
I totally get insecure about what people think about my blogging! But it is such a great outlet, and there are so many other reasons it’s helpful too, that it gives me more confidence. Thanks so much, and glad you like the layout!