Thanks to Covid-19, it’s easier than ever to work from home. Whether you prefer online jobs, baking in your kitchen, or freelancing on the side, stay-at-home business opportunities abound.
The rise of WFH has also contributed to a rise in WFH moms: a fusion of traditional stay-at-home parents and working parents.
But starting a stay-at-home mom business isn’t easy, nor is it for everybody. You’ll have to dedicate time, energy, and maybe a few tears to achieve success.
Still, the benefits are worth it: building your career, reclaiming your “me time,” and providing a great role model for your kiddos are laudable goals.
If you’re ready to start your stay-at-home business, here are a few tips to find success.
First Up: Drop That Mom Guilt!
Sadly, society often promotes raising a family while shaming moms for not doing it “right.” Even now, many feel that mothers should constantly be on duty at all times. That makes it harder to assuage the mom guilt that accompanies becoming a mompreneur.
Give yourself permission to shake off that guilt and enjoy yourself. Taking time to relax, develop your career, and build your childrens’ independence is good for you and them. Plus, you’re giving them a fantastic role model of how to grow up strong, independent, and financially savvy – just like Mom!
That’s something to be proud of.
Consider the Best Stay-at-Home Mom Business for You
As a mompreneur, you have tons of options for starting your own stay-home business. You can freelance, consult in a field of expertise, own your business, or work remotely.
With so many options, you’ll have to narrow down your passions and skills. From there, you can decide if you’d prefer to have a boss, be the boss, or shop around for clients.
You’ll also have to pick a good or service to sell, from firing up your law degree to your impeccable customer service skills.
Look at Your Finances
Often, jumping into a new career at home requires some capital commitment. Ask yourself: Do you need a new laptop and microphone? Baking or art supplies? Home office? Will you need to pay for childcare in the early days? What kind of software (accounting or otherwise) do you need?
If your business requires financial investments to succeed, examine how those costs fit into your budget. Consider your income streams, savings, or a business loan. Above all, don’t let funding your stay-at-home business impact your ability to pay your bills.
Get Creative with Your Time…
Many SAHMs don’t have much wiggle room in their day. When your child’s naptime is your only free time, you may have to get creative with your schedule.
Rather than maintaining strict 9-5 office hours, schedule work around your existing calendar. Pencil in a few hours after the kids go to bed and before they wake up. Use naptime to grab a coffee and answer emails. Send your spouse out with the kids on weekends so you can finish your projects.
Whatever your ideal hours, take charge of your schedule – don’t let it own you.
…But Be Flexible!
Just because you’re working doesn’t mean that life will stop for you. Kids will still make messes. Regular meals are a must. The bathroom won’t clean itself. The list goes on. As a SAHM running a stay-at-home business, sometimes, you’ll fill two roles at once.
Prepare to rearrange your schedule once in a while to accommodate the unexpected. Sometimes, dealing with a family emergency now means working late or getting up early later. It’s not always fun (or easy), but your family and career will thank you.
Find Your Work-Life Balance
In all the hubbub about schedules, we don’t want to leave out the most important factor: finding balance. It’s all too easy to put work off until later, or work too many hours because you’re “just sitting around anyway.”
But it’s not just about work and family – if you don’t schedule some alone time, you’ll burn out on both. Be willing to set limits on your working and family hours alike. And, once in a while, treat yourself to a spa day or museum tour. You’ve earned it!
Keep Your Stay-at-Home Business Organized
Proper organization is crucial for any stay-home business.
Keep on top of essential documents with a filing cabinet or digital system.
Tap into free calendars, like Google’s, to block out your time and make appointments.
Write out your to-do list, so you don’t forget important tasks.
Organization may seem simple – but without it, your business can fall apart.
Minimize Distractions
Similarly, keeping distractions to a minimum will help you focus and work faster. But that doesn’t mean the same thing for everyone.
Some people need a clean office, away from loud noises (and children).
Others prefer music or a beloved TV show in the background.
Still others prefer sitting in the sunshine and watching the world go by.
Designating your “office space,” whatever that is, lets you enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells that make you most productive.
Set Expectations with Your Family
Working from home is hard enough. Throwing children into the mix just makes you realize why parents love when school starts.
As you start your stay-at-home mom business, explain your new commitments to your family. Let them know that they can ask your spouse for help when they’re around. Teach them to become more independent, like making simple meals, cleaning messes, or doing chores. And of course, keeping noise down while Mom works is a must!
Start Small in Your Stay-at-Home Business
One mistake many mompreneurs make is setting big goals too early and failing to meet them. You’re already running a family – a stay-home business only adds to your load.
For instance, if you write, build websites, or consult professionally, start by taking on a single client. Bakers, make a few cakes or sweets each week to sell on Facebook Marketplace. Artists — put up a few pieces on your new online store.
Don’t stretch too thin in the name of success. Build your business slowly and grow as you’re ready, and success will find you.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
There’s a reason people say, “It takes a village to raise a child.” Truth is, you can’t do everything by yourself all the time. If you feel like you’re drowning in work or family expectations, speak up!
For instance, as your children age, ask them to clean up after themselves. Your partner might help you meal prep during the week to make dinner easy. The family as a whole can split chores like sweeping and taking out the trash.
If you need a day to yourself, ask your partner, parents, or a trusted friend to watch the kiddos for a few hours. Spending a little time out of the house can help you recharge and make your stay-home business a success.
Give Yourself Time to Adjust
When you’re a parent, even simple tasks can feel overwhelming. And when you’re starting your stay-at-home mom business, it’s normal to feel like you’re being trampled by a herd of wild busses. But you’re not alone – and you can do this.
Prioritize activities that are necessary (feeding your family) and bring in income (your work tasks). Sometimes, that means the house gets messier than usual. You might drink more coffee or cry in the shower. The kids may rush out the door with their pants on backwards. Cereal for dinner may become a weekend special.
And guess what?
That’s okay, every bit of it. As long as your family (including you!) is happy, healthy, and well-fed, that’s all that matters. By working hard and letting the little things slip by, you can make your stay-at-home business dreams a reality.