[Continued from Part 1]
The qualities of a successful WAHM
There are also several qualities that make a Wahm successful. Before you start working at home, evaluate whether you have these qualities, or can develop them with time and effort.
Working at home normally fits into two different categories. You can either work as an independent contractor for a company, or you can work for yourself. Either way, you are going to be in charge of your own schedule.
Therefore, you will need to be extremely organized, self-motivated, and will have to work well without having a supervisory presence in your working life.
Even those who choose to work for a company are responsible for scheduling their own time and meeting deadlines without a lot of input from supervisors.
Another important skill to have as a Wahm is time management. When you work out of the home, you’re going to be confronted with two sets of challenges each day. You’ll be faced with the work you need to get done, but you’ll also be in the midst of your household, where there are always going to be things that need to be done.
If you focus too much on your work, your household chores will get out of control, and vice versa. Having good time management skills and being able to set clear priorities will help you tackle the diverse challenges of being a Wahm.
Making the decision to become a Wahm requires a lot of thought and consideration. If you are thinking about working from home because you are having a baby, or because you are tired of sending your children to daycare, take some time to write down the pros and cons of becoming a Wahm.
Above all, talk things over with your family to ensure that you are making the right decision for the family unit. You will be doing two full-time jobs from the same space, your own home, and will need support from your partner, friends, and family. Just because your time might be more flexible, it does not mean it is ‘free’.
There are plenty of resources online for moms who are looking to find out more about the realities of working at home.
Once you’ve considered your position and done the necessary research, you’ll be better equipped to make the right decision for you and your family.
