Taking care of Little Y is my full-time job, but I’m also a freelance writer and editor. Other moms often seem interested in the logistics of making a buck while being the primary caregiver for a kiddo or two, so here’s a rundown of how I balance things – or don’t, as the case may be!
Be Realistic About Your Workload
Working would be much harder if I didn’t have some control over the amount of work I take on and when I get it done. I have two primary clients, but I’ve almost exclusively been writing for one this year because the pay is much better, the work is more interesting, and I have a wonderful editor who understands what it’s like to have young children. Despite her general awesomeness, I ask for a deadline extension only if absolutely necessary – freelancing is competitive, and I have no desire to mark myself as unreliable.
The flip side of working mostly for one client: All of my eggs are in one basket. That’s generally the last thing you want as a freelancer, since you never know when or why things might dry up. But it’s a risk I’m willing to take right now. Realistically, I can’t take on more work, especially with a new baby on the way, and simply looking for new gigs can be a full-time job itself. And I’m very, very fortunate that we don’t rely on my income (though we may have to give up some extras without it). So if I hit a dry spell or decide I need to take a break to restore my sanity, I can do it.
This is what my “free time” looks like most days.
Be Prepared to Give Up Your Free Time
This is the toughest thing about being a part-time WAHM. Out of necessity, full-time WAHMs generally have to arrange some form of childcare. I don’t have any extra help – instead, I work like a maniac during naptime or bedtime. I could get a babysitter a couple times a week (and I likely won’t have a choice after the new baby arrives), but right now I make do without. After all, it’s hard to justify earning a few extra bucks only to give half of them away.
Sometimes working away my free time means my house is a mess, and it definitely means I don’t have the time to catch up on the latest bestseller or buzz-worthy TV show. It definitely means I don’t have much of a social life. I can overlook these things because I genuinely enjoy what I do and have a supportive spouse who pitches in to keep the house halfway presentable. Without both, being a part-time WAHM would be much, much harder.
Weigh the Benefits
Aside from the obvious (money), I draw two chief benefits from freelancing. First, I’m filling what would otherwise be a big gap on my resume, which I hope will make going back to work full time a little easier, whenever that happens. Second, I’m filling a personal need to be something other than a mom, even though that’s my first and most important job right now. For many women, being a SAHM is as fulfilling as it gets – and frankly, I envy them. Life would be simpler! Unfortunately, I’m not one of them, and I’ve found I’m a better mom if I maintain some sort of career identity, too.
But there are things my part-time gig can’t give me. Obviously, real benefits are one of them – I’m talking insurance, a 401(k) and the like. Also, I don’t get any of the social benefits that working full-time outside the home used to provide – namely, the ability to form friendships with coworkers or the time to focus on a long-term project in-depth. Like many SAHMs, I go many days without hearing another adult voice … or taking a shower … or changing out of yoga pants. And there are days I still struggle with those things.
Are there any other part-time WAHMs out there? How do you balance work and kids?
guest
I have been toying with the idea of taking a project too… I freelanced for a bit when my oldest was a toddler but now 2 more kids later it is pretty hard to think about working at night on top of my day responsibilities at home. Thank you for your honest assessment and pointing out that most likely any “free time” would be non-existent. All the best! I enjoy reading your blog very much!
PS: Just running my blog (I blog about simple modern crafts, it’s a feat on it’s own! I make 0 money of my blog but dream of monetizing it one day in the future
pineapple / 12053 posts
I’m always looking for more ways that WAHMs do it! I’m running my photography business from home which is full time but without the company benefits! I’m still trying to sort it all out and figure out my schedule but right now I’d have it no other way!
guest
I also am a WAHM and I found joining a local moms club was beneficial for both my kids and I. I enjoy the conversations with other adults and my kids love hanging out with their buddies.
guest
**sorry the old comment has an incorrect website in the link! Oops!
Thank you kindly for this post! It’s comforting knowing I am not the only PT WAHM in the world!
For me, the hardest thing to get used to was the lack of free time. Every moment baby was sleeping, I found myself not checking my Facebook (pretty meaningless anyway) or catching up on a good book, but opening up the laptop and getting to work. Then hubby and my favorite time of the evening had to be sacrificed as well: movie and/or series night. I envied him as he sat next to me doing anything he desired while I was stuck on the computer.
Then it just hits you: you could put your babe in daycare, find yourself a FT job and enjoy actual free time, or you make this sacrifice. I LOVE being at home with our baby boy and this is what we PRAYED for. It is the biggest blessing we have received and I cannot stop be thankful.
My biggest piece of advice is to accept that right now, in this chapter of life, old (fun) habits and hobbies are going to take a break. Who knows how long the break will be; but they will be waiting patiently when the time comes. This means, in my case, painting freely in the garage to my heart’s content, making recipe videos and training for races – can and will wait.
Anything I want to get done has to happen before 8:00am, including breakfast prep. Bible and journal time, exercise, blogging and photo editing happens when my alarm buzzes at 5:30am, and I’m okay with that.
Part time WAHMs unite!
Oh yeah and social life? Not easy. My most commonly sent text is, “I’m home all day if you want to stop by!” Because leaving the house happens maybe 2x/week M-F.
Aaaand sacrificing movie night all week isn’t too shabby because it makes for a really special and much awaited Saturday movie night!
guest
I’m in the same boat! It is so so busy, but I really love what I do. I’ve always been a list maker, but these days it’s a prioritised weekly task list, not a daily list. That helps to remind me of all I have accomplished, but also helps me to sometimes say no to unnecessary things. I have to limit what I do socially as I have to make sure baby and my milk supply come first.
guest
Thank you for acknowledging that it’s OK to want to fulfill a need to be something other than a mom. Many of the moms I have met through my son’s preschool are SAHMs, and I feel they don’t really get that. I hate turning down playdates, especially for my son’s sake, but working part-time really doesn’t afford me many opportunities for socializing.
guest
Yes thanks for acknowledging that some of us don’t have that “I love being a stay at home mom” gene. I’m a freelance creative director and my project load is significantly less than pre-supernatural bear (our 10 month old son). I try and remember how fortunate we are that I can stay at home, breastfeed and witness the many milestones during his first year.
We are thinking that once he turns 1 and we move, we will invest in a part time nanny so that I can get my workload up.
Do any of you ladies have a part time nanny?