Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Work At Home Mama...

Lately I have gotten a lot of comments and questions regarding how both my husband and I are work at home parents.  I know a lot of you want to have a similar situation so I thought I would clear it all up a bit.
I am a freelance writer. I blog and handle multiple facets of social media for a couple companies. While my career is on a much smaller scale than it was pre baby it is still chugging steadily along. I love what I do and have no real intention of stopping anytime soon.
My husband is a DJ and he co-owns a production company called NEXTHYPE. He goes by the name Michael Savant and you can find him at some of the best parties, clubs, hotels, event, etc. in Boston and Providence. I am super proud of him and how far he has come in his career.

Okay, so with that out of the way let me answer some of the FAQ's I get about being work at home parents.

1.How can you afford it?

Well, for a long time we didn't make much money and we struggled like crazy. It took years and I do mean years for it take off for the both of us. We also worked odd jobs and did what we had to to supplement income from other areas while working our butts off with freelance stuff (sometimes mostly for free or practically nothing) This means we worked all day and night for pennies. So basically, you have to really want the career you are working towards.
Also, freelancing is tough because checks are not consistent. You really have to stay on top of your finances and expect to get paid late. I cant tell you how many times we have had to chase people to get paid for work we have already done. Its the WORST.


2. Who watches Henry?

We do. He doesn't go to daycare at this point. Although, we are looking into a 2 day program to help socialize him. Our office and playroom are open to each other and we go back and forth taking care of him. Nap time is usually a mad dash to get as much done as possible. If we get really desperate we yank in our laps and play THIS.

3.How many hours do you work?

Honestly, I'm not sure. I just work until the job is done. If that requires a few extra hours, so be it. if I get it done faster than I expected, that's cool too. I don't get paid per hour so I make my own schedule. The good part? Sometimes it all comes to me and everything goes perfectly and I get it done super duper quick and I have the rest of the day to chill. The bad part? Sometimes I have a total writers block and it takes me hours to do a quick post and I certainly do not get paid more just 'cause I took longer to do it.

4. How do you pay taxes?

Just like everyone else...except at the end of the year when you are all collecting $$$ I am paying it. BUMMER.

5. I want a work at home job! this sounds amazing!

Sometimes it is. Other times it is not. There are so many pros and cons to this lifestyle. Yes, there are days where I can put work on hold and walk to the library or park with Henry and then come back and pick up where I left off. I can put him down for his naps, eat three meals a day with him, and I don't have to miss a thing. However, some days he is miserable and wants my attention and I HAVE to get stuff done so he acts up and whines at my feet while I sweat profusely and manically write emails and edit photos.


6. Do you have any advice?

For one, don't get caught up in those crazy Internet scams promising you thousands of dollars for three hours of work while getting a back rub  and drinking lemonade in the comfort of your own living room. I promise, it doesn't work like that. You better be ready to put in a lot of work you probably won't get paid for. You are your only advocate. You will be the CEO of your own corporation selling...YOU. You have to promote, promote,promote. Buy a bajillion business cards, set up a personal website, order all kinds of promotional items such as magnets, and pens, and ceramic mugs with your face and email plastered all over them. Okay, maybe that's a little dramatic but in a way it's not. You have to sell, sell, sell yourself and always be prepared for rejection. I think if you are passionate about something than you should give it a shot. The worst that can happen is failure versus the unknown of whether or not you could have made it work.

6 comments:

  1. Awesome, wonderful post. My husband and I also work from home. I'm still in the working for pennies phase (or paying to work), while my husband pays the bills. I wouldn't have been able to start a tea biz (herbalphilosophy.com) if it wasn't for him. While i wouldn't change a thing, some days are hard for me. Most of the baby care falls on my shoulders and i never ever have enough time to get stuff done. There's a misconception that working from home is easier, but I bet it's harder. Still, we do it to be close to our kids :)

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  2. I'm a work at home and work out of the home mom. it's tough really tough but it works for us and I'm not sure I'd have it any other way right now.

    May 27 post :I love that maxi you must tell me where I can find one-LOVE it

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  3. I feel you tax pain, I pay $$$$$$$ every year.

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  4. I think it's great that you and your husband have worked so hard to continue your dreams and make it all work with Hendrix. I have a great job situation in terms of flexibility - I work at home twice a week and even get to bring Q into the office sometimes, but it's not my dream job otherwise. I have dreams of freelance writing someday, so this is very inspiring!

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  5. This is a great post! I think every mom and dad would like to be a work at home parent because of the allure of being home with the kids. The reality of it is, however, and as you rightfully pointed out, it's not that easy. When I was working, I worked as a WAHM with minimal childcare. This meant that a) most of the childcare fell on my shoulders and b) I never really slept. It was tough, but I survived, barely. I am now looking into freelance work but am nervous about making it all work and finding the time.

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  6. I just decided to pop on over from Top Baby Blogs and I am so glad I found you...so...hi :)

    This post makes so much sense! I work from an office one day a week and from home the rest of the week. It's very part time, but it's still stressful balancing working and taking care of the babe (I'm all by myself since my husband works long hours out of the home). It totally makes sense that you don't know how much you work. I, unlike you, charge by the hour, but sometimes 3 hours go by and I can only charge for one, since I've done more parenting in that time than writing! Anyway...glad to have found you and now I'm off to read through some archives :)

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