Tag Archives: work at home parents

What We Can Learn from WAHM Writers

By on January 31st, 2013

We all know that the work-at-home-mom (WAHM) writers aren’t considered the upper echelon of the writing community. If you didn’t know that, you’ve never read about the cost-savings to be had by tricking desperate WAHMs into providing ultra cheap articles in a particular forum’s Special Offers. Well, as a few of us here can tell you, having children and enjoying a professional writing career are certainly not exclusive entities, and even when you stop to consider the penny-pinching, low-cost WAHM writers mentioned in those special offers and “tricks of the trade” forum posts we can learn quite a bit from their experiences. Focus on Making What …

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Posted in Work at Home Parents |

Why This Freelancer Never Takes Vacations

By on August 2nd, 2012

After many years, I went on a vacation last week. The trip was great, of course, except for one small detail. About two days before we left for Colorado and the cool mountain breezes, my largest client “changed direction” overnight. My primary contact was laid off and my regular blogging commitments stopped effective immediately. Not exactly the sort of send off I was hoping for, but not too much out of the norm in the world of freelance. In this case a new CEO chose to change things up in the company I was working with. In the past I’ve …

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Posted in Work at Home Parents |

Writing at Home: Can I Do This?

By on July 5th, 2012

It’s not an unusual question. We all wonder from time to time if this world of freelancing from home is worth the extra time and effort it takes to be successful. Naturally we usually find plenty of reasons that it is, in fact, worth the hassles and stress. To name a few: freelance writers who work at home enjoy schedule flexibility, more time with family, freedom to enjoy other daily pursuits and the lack of any office politics, drama or boss. But there are things about freelancing at home that cause us to doubt from time to time, and if …

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Posted in Work at Home Parents, Working From Home |

When Working Conditions Are Never Right

By on June 7th, 2012

There are those among us who can only work when the conditions are just right. They must have the right music or show on in the background. They must have their ergonomic chair positioned just so and their office door opened exactly three inches to allow for cross ventilation while blocking 93 percent of all regular household noises. I’m not that person. Nor is any parent working at home – if they choose to work while the kids are around. Working in Chaos While I wouldn’t call life with two kiddos chaos, it can reach that point quickly enough. For …

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Freelancing Makes You…Cocky?

By on March 15th, 2012

Those of us who have found success working in freelance writing or freelance anything are bound to have at least a little bit of arrogance. After all, we’re the ones who’ve figured out how to make the system work for us. We’re not cogs in a giant machine anymore – or if we are, it’s by choice. We’re successful business owners. Ah, independence. Declaring Arrogance I’ve known it for years, but I’m going to just get it out there in the open. You might consider me stuck up. I’m not conceited about my great beauty. Two kids, thirty-two years and …

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Posted in Work at Home Parents |

Essential Ingredients of a Work-at-Home Parent

By on March 1st, 2012

I ran out of patience the other day and I should have run across to the neighbor to borrow some more. After all, this working mom doesn’t rise to perfection without a liberal dash of patience. I must treat my children with patience. I must wait days or weeks patiently  for a free hour to watch my favorite show. I must patiently wait on clients to send me money. Running out of patience was devastating – like cinnamon rolls without the butter. (I shudder to think of it.) Fortunately I found a bit more patience in the back of the …

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Posted in Work at Home Parents |

Go Ahead, Take the Day Off!

By on November 24th, 2011

Happy Holidays to everyone out there (who celebrates the American Thanksgiving)! I sincerely hope that you’re not working right now. Hopefully you’re stuffed to the gills (as we say in the South) with plenty of delicious food items and maybe a few glasses of wine. I’m sure you’re reading this as a way to end your Thanksgiving day, because you’re surely not reading in anticipation of settling down to work on a holiday – unless you want to, that is. Working 9 – 5 has Perks I’ve never worked “9 to 5.” I’ve work 7 to 4 and right now …

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Posted in Work at Home Parents |

Working with Kids: Boosting Productivity

By on November 10th, 2011

I’m split at times about how kids affect my working life. In many – okay most – cases I feel very limited by having kids underfoot or in the house when I’m working. But other times I wonder if I’d be as effective as I am if my children didn’t already have me so well trained. It takes a lot of dedication and discipline to freelance from home. As I sit here, a book I started and the newest episode of Glee are calling my name. But I won’t stop writing to give in to the temptation. I can’t. I …

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Freelance Lessons Learned the Hard Way

By on October 27th, 2011

I am so very not perfect. I would never claim to be the best writer around, the best mother around or the best teacher around. I do like to think I work hard at all of my various life choices, and I have some nice successes to show for that work. But even if you’re an amazingly awesome writer coming into this career or you’re looking at a dramatic change, as many writers suddenly are, there are going to be some knocks. I’m admittedly an imperfect writer, so feel free to take my advice with a large grain of salt …

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Posted in Work at Home Parents |

Lead by Example

By on August 4th, 2011

I am many things on a daily basis, like all of us here. At any given moment I’m wearing my hat as a mother, teacher, writer, business woman, friend, wife, public servant, what have you. It’s exhausting, of course, but then life should be for the most part. What’s the point of waking up in the morning and not using the day to its fullest potential? I say that knowing full well I’m going to finish up here in a bit and go and turn on HGTV for some well-deserved downtime, but even entertainment can be educational and beneficial – …

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