Group Discussions

Is working from home/being freelance actually a WORSE option?

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  Hi again. Working from home IS stressful. We have many responsibilities as WAHMs. My husband reminds me daily if I don't get things done around here. So I have made it a PRIORITY to get house things and kid things done first, then I hit my business. But I set time limits on my chores and errands. When that time is up, I move onto the next task: my business. That is important too! It's bringing income into our household and I have work that needs to be done!
  
  
  
  I could never be a SAHM either! I need to feel like I am contributing financially to our household. I have had a job since I was 12, so I really do need something. But I also want to be here for my children, so WAHM is my only option and I'm making it work!!

  Flag as inappropriate Posted by Karen on 18th February 2008
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  What I don't get is why so many married women are having these issues. Many hands make light work. It just seems to me that if both spouses work together, the WAH / WOHM / SAHM / flexible / non-flexible / Women can or cannot "have it all" thing would be a non-issue.
  
  
  
  It appears that most of the emotional work of maintaining the marital relationship, cooking, cleaning, and child rearing still falls to women. Women are expected to give up a lot to be mothers. What are men expected to give up in order to be fathers? Women should "be there" for their children ...so they stay home, work part time, or work "flexible" jobs. My question is this: How are men accomplishing this task - "being there" for their children?
  
  
  
  Why is this still happening in the year 2008????
  
  
  
  Reading Timecrunch's post was interesting because she was so honest about the word "flexible" and the fact that this word is a good word for moms and what they choose to do for a living. She also touched on the things that women seem to forego or sacrifice on the alter of mommyhood at their own peril: future earning potential, benefits, etc.

  Flag as inappropriate Posted by Uhura on 19th February 2008
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  I would like to add this re/ the comments about finding jobs with no "boss".
  
  
  
  All work involves a "boss" or bosses.
  
  
  
  In some cases, such as my marketing business (which is very similar to what geneanroberts and Karen posted), the "bosses" are the customers.

  Flag as inappropriate Posted by Uhura on 19th February 2008
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  Obviously your situation is simply not working for you. If your kids are already in daycare/school, why not consider an outside job that fits your job/experience?
  
  
  
  if you do want to stay home then you will have to find a way to set boundaries that fit.
  
  
  
  I know this sounds simplistic and doesn't solve the problem. But you did ask How can you tell if you have too much stress. I think once you get to the point where you're asking that question, you ALREADY have too much stress.

  Flag as inappropriate Posted by Susan on 22nd February 2008
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  I have worked since I was 16 and I feel like you, I have to contribute to the income of my family...but I think working from home is so much better because you dont have to fight traffic, you dont have down time sitting at your desk when you could be home doing something...you dont have the office gossip, you dont have people stabbing you in the back for that promotion they want...the list goes on and on...So to me, being home is 100 times better than being at a job...
  
  
  
  Genean Roberts
  
  www.beginlivingwithcfw.com

  Flag as inappropriate Posted by geneanroberts on 7th March 2008
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  l get your ladies. l have been having the same problem. finding time and balance. l do provide day care for 1 child plus my son and when his is picked up l get time to work on my site. besides that l have to do the housework and cooking routine. sometime l do not get that energy to work and put something on my site and l feel really bad, of late my traffic has been steady no increase.
  
  
  URL

  Flag as inappropriate Posted by mor on 23rd August 2008
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  I've been there!!! Working too many hours. Fitting them in around the kid's schedule. Being so stressed I think I might get into an accident. Don't continue that way!!!
  
  I'm not exactly sure what you do, but you mentioned you are a freelancer. What I learned the hard way over the years through my consulting business was that instead of charging an hourly rate, I should be charging on a per project basis. In my field most people charge hourly rates, so I just followed the mainstream. I found out at some point in my career that you make out better when you charge on a per project basis. The more successful consultants were working this way.
  
  This way you can get paid more per project, but the client is still happy because he knows upfront how much he is paying you. Also, you aren't tied to the clock so much. It's more about the deadline than the hours. This might help you to still bring in the same income you are making now, but be able to cut down on some of your working hours.

  Flag as inappropriate Posted by Kimberly Reddington on 10th November 2008