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Career

How To Transition Your Family To A Single Income
CareerFinancesLifestyle

How To Transition Your Family To A Single Income

by Amanda Foust
written by Amanda Foust

One of the biggest barriers to being a stay-at-home mom is making it on a single income.

All moms have different opinions or desires when it comes to whether or not they choose to stay at home with their kids, work from home, or work outside of the home! No matter the choice, there is no right or wrong. Mothers are doing what’s best for their families. But this particular post is for mamas who may have been working outside of the home but now find they want to stay home.

We gave advice for the big things to consider about transitioning to a single-income in this post, but we wanted to take it a step further by breaking down the big steps into little ones. Even after you’ve done all the planning ahead and budgeting, you may still find yourself in a difficult spot trying to live off one income.

How To Transition Your Family To A Single Income

Here are a few things you can do:

1. Say “No” to wants and “Yes” to needs.

Wanting things is natural. We are impulsive and see a trendy outfit that’s on sale or we find toys that we know our kids would love. Any mom who walks through the doors of Target can attest to how 95% of Target purchases are based on “wants” instead of “needs.” We go in for batteries and come out with a cart full of tea towels, wall decor, stationary, boots, etc. When you want to make it on a single income, wants are no longer as much of an option. Sure, every now and then you can splurge, but it should be rare. Money is meant to cover “needs.”

2. Shop second-hand.

Most anything that’s not a consumable product can be bought second-hand. Nowadays, there are many online places to buy and sell used goods, and of course, there are thrift stores as well. Before you buy, see if you can find something second-hand. I’ve even known friend groups who swap clothes and home decor on a regular basis to change up their wardrobe and environment. Living in a consumerist nation, most second-hand shops are still full of great quality items because most people don’t keep things long enough to really be considered “used.” You’d be surprised at the quality you can find!

3. Switch grocery stores.

Have you ever shopped at Aldi? When an Aldi store came to my town, my family tried it out right away. My husband and I had a cart full of food and were giddy in the checkout line when the cashier told us the total. We had literally cut our grocery bill in half and had purchased so much more than we ever had! Aldi is super affordable. However, there aren’t as many brand options available. I’m totally okay with that as their food is great! But if you’re a brand junky, you may not have the best luck shopping there. But remember, the brand is just a label and you’re goal now is to save money! Buying the Aldi brand may be just what you need to save more money!

If you don’t believe me, read number one in this article! If you don’t have an Aldi in your area, do your research on grocery brands. Certain stores are known to be more expensive than others, no matter the product, so stay clear!

4. Stream your T.V. shows.

Paying a monthly fee for Netflix and Hulu is a lot cheaper than getting cable or dish. You can stream your favorite shows online and even have a special parental control for your children where they can only login to watch kids shows. What’s even better? You don’t have to wait for certain shows to be on to watch them!

5. Wait for the sale.

I am an online shopper. So something that I do is stay logged into my favorite websites and keep the things in my “cart” that I want/need, but I don’t purchase until I have a promo code of 30% off or more! Those type of codes pop up fairly often, so just don’t let yourself be in a rush. Every now and then I lose something that goes out of stock, but it’s never something I needed anyway. It’s worth waiting for the sale! Also, after several days, sometimes my mind changes on a few items, and I realize I didn’t want them anymore — also saving me money!

6. Cut back on unnecessary monthly expenses.

Go through your bank account and write down every monthly payment you make that’s outside of the basic/necessary budget. You’ll be amazed how many subscription services or monthly activities you are involved in that aren’t necessary. Find other ways to have fun together as a family until you can afford the extra activities. And sacrifice the monthly subscriptions because the stress on your finances isn’t worth it.

Tell us in the comments, what are you doing to help you become a one-income family?

Amanda Foust

Amanda Foust

Amanda is a wife, mother, writer/editor, and certified life coach. Pen and paper make her spirit come alive. She spends her creative time reading, decorating, and handwriting fonts. Her world is better with an assortment of chocolate and a stack of books packed and ready for travel. She works each day to be a creative maker and a light bringer. You can find more of her writing at Downs, Ups & Teacups and TheDailyPositive.com.
Amanda Foust

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home office
Career

7 Home Office Essentials Every WAHM Needs

by Leena Kollar
written by Leena Kollar

I’ve been at this work-from-home gig for a couple years now, and I gotta say, I’m loving it! It’s seriously a dream come true to be able to work flexible hours that allow me to spend time with my family while also doing something that brings me fulfillment. But, it’s not always easy to stay focused. When you work from home, you’ve got to be organized and disciplined. Sometimes this is easier said than done. But if you make your home office a place that is just as professional as your desk would be in a business office, you’ll be able to work from home more efficiently. So, if you’re new to this WAHM thing, or you’re considering giving it a whirl, make sure you have these home office essentials so that you’ll be as productive as possible.

Planner1. Daily Planner

One of the best things you can do when you work from home is create a daily schedule. Even if you don’t jot down the exact time you’re going to do every task, listing your daily duties will remind you of what needs to be accomplished each day. Of course, having a planner is also a great way to keep track of important meetings, phone calls, and appointments.

Notepad

2. Pen & Paper

Even though I do most of my work on the computer, I always keep a pen and paper next to me while I work. You never know when a great idea will come up, or when you’ll need to write down a phone number or other important information. Maybe you think of something that you want to mention to your boss. Or you come across an inspiring article that you want to send to a co-worker. Having a pen and paper around will allow you to scribble down quick notes when you’re too busy to do something at that moment, but don’t want to forget about it later.

Calculator3. Calculator

Not every work-at-home job requires number crunching. In fact, the only time I need a calculator is when I’m submitting invoices. However, it’s really important that I send invoices that are accurate and free of mathematical errors. Whether your job entails a lot of math or not, a calculator will definitely come in handy at some point.

Cell Phone

4. Phone Charger

If you have a landline phone, you won’t need to worry about this. But if you’re like me and the only phones you have are cellular, you’ll want to make sure yours is fully charged. I use mine for work on occasion, but I also like knowing that it’s there in case of an emergency. If your job requires a lot of phone calls, making a phone charger part of your home office setup is crucial.

Clock5. Desk Clock

Depending on what you do for work, you may need to track your hours. I use an app on the computer to track mine, but I also have to watch the time so that I don’t miss picking my children up from school. Or missing an important work meeting. Having a clock at your desk can make the days feel longer sometimes, but it will help keep you on schedule.

Desk Drink6. Drink Coaster

Even workaholics need a break sometimes. And if you refuse to leave your seat to take that break, I hope you at least have a drink to keep you hydrated as you work. Whether it’s coffee, water, juice or lemonade, your brain and body need nourishment throughout the workday. Keep your drink on a cute little coaster to protect your desk, and act as a reminder of the importance of taking beverage breaks.

Idea Board7. Idea Board

You don’t need anything fancy, but having an idea board of some kind will keep you motivated. Whether you compile a list of ideas you find on Pinterest, display interesting photos that you come across, or stick up inspiring quotes that you read, an idea board is a great way to store all of your ideas so you can refer to them when you need to. This can also spark creativity in your personal life and contribute to your growth as a woman and mother.

Leena Kollar

Leena Kollar

Contributing Writer at Life As Mama
I'm a wife, mother and everything else associated with domestic life. I can often be found hiding from my kids to sneak treats (especially ice cream). I love rainbows and naps, and I find any excuse to go to Target. When I actually make it out of the house in real clothes, I document my outfits on my fashion blog, Leather & Lip Gloss. My love for fashion also inspired me to start my own comprehensive style website, The Style Spectrum.
Leena Kollar
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5 Changes You Can Make For Career Success Today
CareerTips & Ideas

5 Changes You Can Make For Career Success Today

by Jordyn Smith
written by Jordyn Smith

Navigating the sticky world of business is hard for anyone, but for women it can be especially difficult. With double-standards, our own sensibilities, and everything else telling us to do a million different things at once, it can be difficult to discern just what you need to do to succeed.

Many tips and articles geared towards career success for women often focus on things like degrees, field overhauls, and other tools that, while beneficial, take tons of time and money to complete. Time and money that most moms don’t have.

These career success tips can be utilized by a simple change of thinking or slight actions that you can take in the office to change things up. While it definitely isn’t easy to change set-in habits and years of behaviors, the success you will find after following these tips is well worth the try.

5 Changes You Can Make For Career Success Today

1. Stop Apologizing So Much

I can definitely admit to finding myself saying “sorry” way too much, in both my personal and professional life. This seems to be an issue with a lot of women. We use needless apologies in attempt to do things like lessen our own accomplishments, prepare ourselves for rejection, and slightly back off when we feel we are being too direct or demanding. While there is certainly nothing wrong with apologizing when you’ve actually done something wrong, constantly saying sorry can do serious damage to your career.

Try to stop being so afraid of your colleagues finding you pushy and abrasive and focus on success. Acknowledge that double standards for women, unfortunately, still exist in the business community and work to actively fight them by rebelling against the expected. You can easily pair your lack of apologies with smiles and genuine warmth.

Just remember that you don’t have to go full Devil Wears Prada in order to be a confident, successful business woman.

2. Promote Your Abilities

As a woman who is self-employed, I know first hand just how important self-promotion is. But even if you work for a large, corporate company, it can also be a crucial part of your success.

Maintaining a sense of humility is always important but you should never be afraid to show off your abilities. Especially not when your abilities can boost your career. Whether it’s through old school networking, social media work, or personal ads, you should put yourself out there. Take center stage, be bold, and let the world know that you’re amazing at what you do.

3. Avoid Comparing Yourself To Others

This is a tip that can be utilized in every part of your life, really, but it is especially important in business. Don’t measure your own abilities and success by that of others. Instead of feeling jealousy or self-pity, you should use the success of others to propel you to work harder.

Remember that your failures are not indicative of your worth or your abilities. Everyone succeeded in their own time because of their own circumstances. Wasting time comparing yourself to other people will do nothing but make you sad and angry and hold you back.

4. Take Risks

When it comes to your career, taking risks can be especially tricky. Your career is the livelihood of you and your family and often times, failure can take the form of something drastic.

Still, the threat of bad things shouldn’t stop you from taking risks that may only yield great results. You absolutely have to play to win, when it comes to succeeding in any field in the business world. Move out of your comfort zone, take opportunities that you may not have looked at typically. Put yourself out there with your thoughts, opinions, and suggestion.

Boldness is rewarded and taking risks with your career is one of the major stepping stones on the way to success.

5. Don’t Be Afraid To Take Up Space

This tip falls in line with watching how much you apologize. In addition to apologizing way too much, career women also sometimes have a tendency to try to bleed into the background. But hiding in the shadows, sitting in the back, and staying quiet won’t lead to success.

Don’t be afraid to take up space or demand to be heard. Acknowledge the fact that you’ve worked just as hard as everyone else to get to where you are and hone your desire to succeed even further.

 

 

Jordyn Smith

Jordyn Smith

A city girl currently living it up in the south with my little family. I love baking, hoarding makeup, and daydreaming. If I'm not writing, I'm probably trying to think up weird pizza recipes or watching Property Brothers.
Jordyn Smith

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Stay Focused When You Work From Home
CareerTips & Ideas

6 Ways To Stay Focused When You Work From Home

by Jordyn Smith
written by Jordyn Smith

Anyone that works primarily from home knows how hard it can be to stay focused. This is especially true when you are a parent and you have to worry about a thousand things at once. While there are tons of advantages that come with not having to go into an office every day, there are also plenty of drawbacks. An undefined work schedule and the tendency to be easily distracted only being a couple of them.

Sometimes working from home is super boring and other times there are about a million things that draw your attention from important tasks you’re supposed to be completing. Having trouble keeping your focus? Try following these simple but effective tips.

1. Have A Designated Working Space

When you work from home, it can be very tempting to work from your bed or from the comfort of your couch but you MUST resist the temptations. Everyone isn’t able to have an entire home office to call their own, but that’s totally ok! Even if you have a desk in the corner of your living room or have to use the kitchen table, you should have a designated work space in your home. Someplace that allows you to be comfortable but not too comfortable, a place with plenty of light that definitely doesn’t face the television! You’ll be surprised at how much easier it is to stay focused once you have a space that promotes productivity.

2. Stay Away From Social Media

Yes, this means all of your favorite sites and blogs as well! You definitely can’t stay focused if you’re switching over to Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram every five minutes. There are studies that show that social media in the workplace may actually boost productivity over time, but it can also be a serious detriment to your focus. If you find it a little too hard to keep your focus on your work and away from the internet, you can use applications and programs like Cold Turkey that will block you from visiting specific sites for specific amounts of time.

 

3. Give Yourself A Schedule

I know, I know. One of the biggest benefits of working for yourself is that you don’t have to follow a schedule if you don’t want to. Unfortunately, if you have a hard time maintaining your focus, your lack of schedule can do more harm that good. As rigid as it may sound, setting a strict schedule for your workday is definitely a good idea. Of course, if you have kiddos running around the house during the day, you’ll have to be a little more lax and open, but you should still try to stick to your schedule as much as possible.

4. Listen To Some Music

Playing some great tunes are a great way to stay focused while working. While blasting heavy metal may not be the best course of action, there are tons of ready-made playlists out there that are specifically crafted to help people focus. You can also put together a playlist of your own favorite songs. This will help keep your brain active and you focus on your work.

5. Set Daily Work Goals

A lack of real direction can be a huge proponent for lack of focus. If you don’t really know what you need to be doing, it can be hard to get anything done. Each day, you should determine what exactly what your working goals are. Putting them on paper or on a computerized list makes it much easier to track your progress throughout the day and stay focused on all the things you need to accomplish.

6. Don’t Forget To Take Breaks

Unless you’re Superman, there is almost no way you’re going to be able to get through more than an hour or so of work without needing at least a short break. It might seem a little counterproductive, but frequent breaks actually help you more than you think. While you definitely shouldn’t follow up every hour of work with a 30 minute break, getting up to stretch, grab a snack, or get some fresh air will refresh you and have you ready to get back to work.

 

Jordyn Smith

Jordyn Smith

A city girl currently living it up in the south with my little family. I love baking, hoarding makeup, and daydreaming. If I'm not writing, I'm probably trying to think up weird pizza recipes or watching Property Brothers.
Jordyn Smith

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5 Things To Know If You Want To Be A Mom Blogger
CareerLifestyle

5 Things To Know If You Want To Be A Mom Blogger

by Karly Wood
written by Karly Wood

So you want to be a mom blogger? Let me be the first to congratulate you and wish you well on your journey of sharing your story with the world. Not every woman is cut out for writing, and especially not for sharing the ins and outs of your life- both the good and bad. If you are that mom, then you must feel like you have something worthy to share, and you do because every mom has her own story. Essentially you are becoming a freelance writer and joining the ranks of many people who love to embrace their writing passion.

As with most things you love, it takes hard work and determination to become a successful blogger. You need to be willing to accept all kinds of feedback and get pretty personal. As an editor of several websites, I wanted to share some important things to know as you embark on your new adventure of blogging.

1. You Need To Set Up Your Own Blog

You’re going to need a place to house all your hilarious stories and mishaps, and that means you need to set up your own blog. While it may seem daunting at first, we’ve actually done a lot of the work for you and created an easy step by step tutorial to walk you through the process. The instructions are found on our post, How To Start A Blog In 10 Minutes and you can simply click the link to get reading.

There is a small fee associated with starting your own blog, because you will now have you own website which uses some cyber real estate. When you’ve got a handful of posts published, you can start thinking about adding advertisements to your blog to recoup some of your fees and generate income. Believe it or not, many moms make a full time income just from blogging!

Even if you plan on focusing on your writing to be featured on other sites, I still highly encourage you to have your own website. Editors look for credibility and commitment that is often found by referencing writers’s personal pages.

2. You Have To Be Committed

I can’t tell you how many blogs I’ve found great crafts or ideas on, only to see that they haven’t been updated in 5 years. Now, of course your life can take a new direction and you can choose not to blog anymore! But if you truly want to become a mom blogger, you need to make a commitment. Start small, by setting a weekly post goal. Readers prefer quality over quantity, so just make sure the material you are producing is valuable and you’ve done your audience a favor. Like most things you are passionate about, it takes a lot of time and hard work to produce something you are proud of. Be prepared to put in time and effort. And don’t be surprised when you catch yourself writing down great topics that come to mind when you’re waiting in line at the grocery store!

Whatever you do, make a commitment that you can actually stick to. Treat blogging like a side hustle, and it will pay off.

3. You Need To Proofread, Proofread, Proofread!

As an editor, I’ve seen my fair share of awful writing. Typos in the titles of posts, poor grammar, articles that have no point, and I could go on and on. Even if you only plan to write on your own website, and not submit work to other sites, one of your main goals should always be professional in your writing. These days, readers demand it. Write your post and leave it as a draft. Come back the next day to proof it again, and then have someone else read if you can. The good news is that you can always fix a typo, even after your post has been published. The important part is that you are detailed enough to notice it!

If you plan to submit work to other websites, I cannot stress enough how important proofreading is. It’s not only vital to submit well-written posts, but to check your emails to editors as well. As an editor of a moms website (I.e. I’m tired all the time and I get how every other mom is too), I give a lot of grace. However, even I’ve been known to turn away posts when I can’t get through the intro paragraph without finding multiple errors. The easiest thing that’s in your control to becoming a successful mom blogger is simply to take time to proofread.

4. You Should Connect With Other Mom Bloggers

Even if you’re just blogging as a hobby, it’s a great idea to connect with other mom blogs. Not only do they provide you with professional support and ideas, there’s nothing like having a community of moms around you. I personally love reading guest posts on my favorite blogs, because I can be exposed to knew bloggers and their sites. It’s also a good idea to join some “girl boss” groups on Facebook to get feedback from other bloggers. Many women take their blogging very seriously and their wealth of information (that’s FREE!) can help you become the best mom blogger you can be.

5. Be Sure To Find Your Own Voice

There are thousands and thousands of blogs that exist, and many are fellow mom bloggers. They each have their own identity and style, and you need to find yours too. No matter what topic you focus on, whether it’s crafting, cooking or an all around lifestyle blog- find your voice and stick to it. Don’t feel like you have to be the next Mommy Shorts or Skinny Mom- be yourself. Think about the things that engage you when you read your favorite blogs. Is it meticulous detail on craft posts? Is it the way you’re brought to tears when you read about a parenting struggle? Is it the ample amount of photos on a recipe blog? While you don’t have to emulate the exact nature of a blog you love, find the things that are valuable to you as a reader and then model your own blog after those things.

I wish you the best of luck on your new writing adventure! Whether it’s a blog to just share your memories with family, or what you hope will become a main source of income for your family, you have your own story to share. Share it well!

 

Karly Wood

Karly Wood

Editor at Red Tricycle
I'm a born and bred Southern California native and currently the managing editor at Red Tri. I get to share my life with my husband of 13 years and our beautiful, 5-year old daughter. In my free time you'll catch me cheering for the Dodgers, cooking, baking, reading, crafting and probably watching a little HGTV!
Karly Wood

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How To Dress For the Job You Want, Not The Job You Have
Beauty & StyleCareer

How To Dress For the Job You Want, Not The Job You Have

by Guest Post
written by Guest Post

Fashion is a modern day career concern for everyone, especially moms. When you are trying to make a good first impression, your personal appearance is a big consideration. For moms, this can be tough. It’s likely that on some days, you struggle to look confident, fresh and full of energy, because you probably started your day earlier than everyone else and feel like you already put in a full day’s work before even arriving to the office. One of the most important times to be on your A-Game when it comes to your work wardrobe is when interviewing for a new job or a promotion. As much as we hate to admit it, first impressions often stick with us, especially when it comes to our clothes.

Every mom’s dream is to have that magic closet that can give you that vigorous and professional look, that naturally makes you look like a strong and intelligent woman your kids and colleagues will look up to.

We all know what that mental spiral can turn into: “I want to be memorable, but not appear too eager.” “I want to look fashionable, so I don’t look out of touch, but I also want to let people know I’m a serious professional.” The contradictions of your work wardrobe checklist can feel impossible. We hope these simple tips will help you as you dress to impress.

 

1. Comfort Is Key

Obviously, wearing sweatpants or your yoga pants to your next board meeting is not the look you’re going for, especially when wanting to make a good impression. However, being uncomfortable is noticeable. If you choose an outfit that you think looks good but feels awful, it is a recipe for failure. If all you are doing is tugging at the pants that are too tight or trying not to scratch yourself, you suddenly don’t look as professional as you had hoped.

The last thing you want is for a room full of your colleagues to be distracted from your workplace genius by the constant readjustment of your clothes. For new, moms don’t push it too far, especially when you know you have to shed pounds before you can wear that pencil skirt again. Give yourself time and don’t fret too much on feeling thick.

The same rule applies to shoes. While we aren’t suggesting slippers or running shoes, comfortable footwear has the edge over uncomfortable shoes when it comes to professional success. It won’t matter how fabulous your shoes are or how great they look with your outfit if you are hobbling. Not only does it make you seem silly for wearing shoes that hurt your feet, but the searing foot pain of an uncomfortable pair of shoes can be an ultimate distraction from your work.

2. Wear An Eye Catching Accessory

This is a good tip particularly for those in a competitive professional arena. Having a light or memorable element to your look helps people take notice without having to be visually overwhelmed. It can be extremely easy to go overboard with this one. This is why we recommend you pick one exciting element and leave it at that.

Fashion accessories are endless. You could easily incorporate a scarf or tie to capture attention and give you that competitive edge. Things like a bright or patterned accent belt or a jacket with large buttons are good examples of great accents that aren’t loud or off-putting. Even something as simple as a blouse with a unique pattern or a piece of statement jewelry can set you apart. Just be sure to keep it tasteful. Keeping the limit to a one-star focal point will prevent your outfits from screaming “desperation.” I think we can all agree that there are fashion statements, and then their pleas for attention.

3. Wear Your Confidence

Feeling good in what you are wearing is the most important thing to consider when you are dressing to achieve your professional goals. There may be times when the professional dress code pushes you outside your comfort zone. This makes it all the more important that you personalize the parts of your ensemble that make you the most uncomfortable.

Perhaps you are a person who is more reserved and introverted. It could be that the thought of wearing anything outside of a neutral tone that may draw attention sounds horrifying. So you may want to consider small attention pieces, to begin with.

Or maybe you are someone who can’t resist a beautiful accessory. Limiting your loud self-expression to a professional environment can seem like torture to an extroverted personality. That’s why it’s is important for you to put great consideration into making sure that your selections are comfortable (no matter how positively gorgeous they may be). Deliberately choosing your focal point piece allows you to enjoy your personality without making it the point of conversation. You want your work to shine, so the bravado of your style may have to take a back seat at the office.

Striking the perfect balance between outlandish and boring while remaining professionally appropriate can sometimes be easier said than done. It is important to find the middle ground between uninhibited self-expression, motherhood and the sort of business camouflage that makes you fading into the background. Hopefully, these tips will come in handy the next time your business fashion needs parameters or helpful guidelines.

 

Author Bio

Cari Samalik is a Michigan based entrepreneur and Mom and the CEO & co-founder of Livnfresh – a state related T-shirt brand. Previously, she worked in the healthcare, and food and beverage industries before marrying into a screen printing business.

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7 Common Misconceptions About Stay At Home Moms
BabyCareerFamilyKidsToddler

7 Common Misconceptions About Stay At Home Moms

by Ellice Vargas
written by Ellice Vargas

There are so many misconceptions around about stay-at-home mom’s, that it is quite astonishing. Since becoming a mother I have worked full time outside of the home, stayed at home full time, and now I work from home. So, I feel I have a fairly well rounded understanding on what it feels to be a mother in each one of those areas. What never fails to surprise me is the comments I get in regards to what is it that I do all day. Here are the most common misconceptions I’ve come across in my time as a stay-at-home mom.

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1. We Must Have Money

Well, no. Actually, my initial reason to become a stay home was because my income was swallowed up entirely by daycare costs, health insurance and gas money, just by going to work. We actually found ourselves losing money for me to continue in the position I had before my daughter was born. Is it hard to live off one income? Usually yes. Sometimes is it necessary? Yes.

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2. We Judge Working Mothers

How often does this actually happen? How much judging goes on and how much do we self-project from our mom guilt? I bet we all do it at one time or another, the mom guilt is for real. Let’s be honest, no working or stay-at-home mom even has the energy to judge someone else’s patenting. If you happen to come across this unpleasant

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3. We Just Hang Out And Drink Coffee All Day

Well, we might actually drink coffee all day, #survival. But thats not all we do. I’m lucky if I can finish my first cup before noon, and usually it’s been reheated no less than 4 or 5 times. Between diaper changes, toddler tantrums, endless laundry and sweeping of floors, there isn’t a whole lot of spare time for coffee drinking.

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4. We Don’t Want A Career

First of all, raising babies is a career all by itself. Probably the most important thing of all. Which we are all doing whether we work outside of the home or not. Second, I actually think we live in a society that is impossible to feel like we are “succeeding” without a career, something we don’t need to be reminded of when people ask, “so you just stay home?” I cannot be the only mother out there that is constantly in awe of all the amazing momprenures, who rock that working-mom and stay-at-home gig. Just because we are home most days with our littles, it doesn’t mean we have forgotten about our own dreams and aspirations, FYI.

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5. We Don’t Care About How We Look

For real. Do you think we actually like leaving the house with spit up on our clothes and a 4 day mom bun? I would love a little time to myself to get ready, and to wear grown up clothes every once in a while. Also, on the days we make an effort and our nails are perfectly manicured and our hair is done, we get peppered with comments like, “I wish I had time to get myself pampered.” No comment.

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6. That Our Home Are Always  Clean + Tidy

“If you stay home, your house must be spotless all the time.” I’m laughing so hard I’m worried my 8 months pregnant bladder might just fail me. We are not home alone, just cleaning and admiring our handiwork. We are constantly cleaning up after little tornados whose entire mission in life is to make leaving sticky handprints on our walls and drop food on our floors. Sometimes we leave the house right after I’ve cleaned just so I know it’s lasted more than 15 minutes.

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7. That We Must Be Bored

Honestly, I understand this one, I felt like it once. The day I put my 2 week notice in was the scariest day of my life. I had already had my 4 month maternity leave so I knew what a ridiculously hard job I was taking on full time. While I was thrilled to be able to be with my daughter more, I was terrified of the isolation. Honestly, it has only gotten better each day. Sure some weeks are long and hard but as my toddler grows and gets closer to school age I just try and soak up as much of this time with her as possible. Also it turns out, kids can be a whole lot of fun. 😉

Ellice Vargas

Ellice Vargas

I'm a British gal and mama to one sweet daughter. I love a good DIY project, interior design and photography. When I'm not writing for Life As Mama, I'm traveling as much as I can with my little family and filling up my camera roll with snapshots of our life.
Ellice Vargas

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7 Wonderful Working Mom Blogs
CareerLifestyle

7 Wonderful Working Mom Blogs

by Jordyn Smith
written by Jordyn Smith

Finding support as a working mom can be tough, it can be easy to feel like you’re braving the world of working mommyhood completely alone. Even if you’re the only working mother in your friend group, it is important to know that there are other mothers out there who have your back. The internet, for all of its faults, is filled with amazing mothers from different backgrounds and with different families coming together to support each other in one common cause. Motherhood. Whether you need help juggling being a wife, a mother, and an employee or you just need a few like-minded mothers to connect with, these awesome working mom blogs are a fantastic place to start.

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1. Working Mom Magic

Created and run by a fun-loving working mother of two, Working Mom Magic is there to show mother’s that it’s totally alright to be a little frazzled. Containing everything from school fundraising tips to adorable anecdotes about her family, Working Mom Magic is the perfect place to go if you’re struggling with keeping it all together. Sit back, relax, and let TV news producer owner, Laura, entertain you with her adorable family.

Head over to Working Mom Magic to find out more.

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2. Mommy Shorts

With style, grace, and an awesome name to boot, Mommy Shorts is one inspiring blog. Run by busy New York City mom Ilana, Mommy Shorts features tons of unbelievable parenting wisdom, endless amounts of entertaining wit, and enough family cuteness to completely knock your socks off.

Visit Mommy Shorts for a more in-depth look at the blog.

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3. Nine To V

This hilarious Cleveland mother sheds light on everything from breast pumping to her love of Netflix on her blog Nine To V. While the blog isn’t a traditional mommy blog, full of weeknight recipes and other resources, it is definitely a place where one working mother goes to talk about her life. If you’re looking for irreverent takes on everything motherhood entails, this is the place to find them.

Visit Nine To V to find more unflinching hilarity.

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4. Hip As I Wanna Be

Adorably offbeat mom Jen uses her blog Hip As I Wanna Be to detail her life as a working mother of teenage boys. While this blog is still full of personal anecdotes, it mainly features amazing pieces that range from everything to budgeting to proper self-care, all still under the much larger umbrella of peaceful living. Hip As I Wanna Be is the perfect place to find that peace you’ve been looking for.

Get on over to Hip As I Wanna Be to start your journey.

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5. Caffeine & Fairydust

Don’t let the ridiculously adorable name fool you, Caffeine & Fairydust is run by one hardworking South African Mama. This blog is filled with irreverent parenting tips, hilarious rants, and a healthy dose of amazing pop culture references. The owner, Maz, somehow manages to be equally informative as she is completely hilarious. And while she is definitely mommy blogger royalty, she’s still completely relatable.

Check out Caffeine & Fairydust for a healthy dose of mom reality.

 

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6. Mommy Call

Let’s face it, all of us mothers have wished that we were best friends with a pediatrician more than once. Well, this doctor mommy is about to make that dream come true…Kind of. Mommy Call is a healthy combination of personal family posts and insightful, educational parenting tips. Learn how to properly talk to your children about guns and where to find the best coffee in Philadelphia on the same page.

Head over to Mommy Call for more information.

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7. Sleeping Should Be Easy

Working woman, mother of three, and published author Nina definitely has a lot on her plate, but that doesn’t keep her from running one amazingly helpful blog. Sleeping Should Be Easy, which is also the title of her book, is full of interesting discussions about parenthood and working as mother. Learn tons of tips, tricks, secrets, and more on this colorful blog.

Visit Sleeping Should Be Easy to get help for the balancing act of motherhood.

Jordyn Smith

Jordyn Smith

A city girl currently living it up in the south with my little family. I love baking, hoarding makeup, and daydreaming. If I'm not writing, I'm probably trying to think up weird pizza recipes or watching Property Brothers.
Jordyn Smith

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Working mom
CareerTips & Ideas

How To Find Balance As A Working Mom

by Jordyn Smith
written by Jordyn Smith

Just like being a stay at home mom, working full-time as a mother comes with its own set of advantages and drawbacks. While the advantages are amazing, having an extra income, working a fulfilling career, etc., it is extremely easy to get overwhelmed with both your work and home lives and when you are a mother in the workforce, especially if your family is still relatively new.

It’s not always easy, but you should always remember that the satisfaction you feel in your career doesn’t mean that your family life has to suffer, especially if you follow these tips.

Working mom

1. Separate Work and Home Life

Having a clear separation of your work and home life is an extremely important part of keeping your life balanced. Live by the rule that you should keep your work at work and your home life at home. Try your hardest not to still be stuck in “work mode” when you come home for the day, whether that means by keeping your actual work within the confines of the office or changing your attitude altogether once you get home. Having clear, distinct parameters like this will help a lot when it comes to overworking and making more time for your family.

Working mom

2. Allow Your Partner to Help

Aside from being the love of your life, you chose to start and raise a family with your husband for a reason, which makes it important to allow him to take the reins when you’re overwhelmed. As a working mom, you have a tendency to take on much more than you can realistically handle, whether it’s making dinner, putting the kids down, or taking on a few more chores .It is important to communicate with your husband that you may need to take on a little less than you have been.

Working mom

3. Stay Organized

Proper organization is a huge part of the family and work balance act. Having a set schedule of your working hours and having an organizational calendar of all of your kids and family’s events will allow you to keep better tracks of things without getting frazzled.

Tip: try using the handy calendar application on your cellphone to keep track of your events, not only can you take it everywhere you go but will always have a scheduled reminder before any events as well.

Working mom

4. Carve Out Specific Family Time

Set specific times for spending time with your family. Whether it’s visiting the park once a week, having dinner together every night, or an annual vacation, you should make ample time to spend with your family when you are all unplugged and connected to one another. Setting an unmoving time for family helps promote structure but still allows you more relaxation and time with your loved ones.

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5. Consider A Flexible Schedule

If you work a job where having a flexible schedule (like working 40 hours over 4 days instead of 5) is possible and have a boss that would allow it you should definitely consider it. While working a more flexible schedule would require you to have a bit more discipline, and work slightly longer hours on your office days, it could also be a great compromise that would allow you to spend more days away from work and at home with your family.

Working mom

6. Go Easy on Yourself

Working mom guilt is something that many mothers in the workforce have to overcome. It can be easy to get caught up in certain expectations and misconceptions about what motherhood should be, causing working mothers to feel guilty about choosing to stay in the workforce. It is important to remind yourself that your decisions are always valid, just like your love for your family. Remember that your partner and your children will love, support, and care for you no matter what you choose to do. We’ve also got a great piece on handling working mom guilt you should check out.

Working mom

7. Have Quality Childcare

Never take a high-quality babysitter or nanny for granted. It may be hard for you and your husband to allow non-family members to care for your children from time to time or on a regular basis, but having regular childcare for your children will save you heaps of stress in the long run. Working late at the office, having a date night, or just needing some extra help when you’re feeling particularly overwhelmed, can be solved by a regular babysitter, if you can afford it.

 

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5 Flexible Jobs Perfect For Mamas Going Back To Work
CareerFinances

5 Flexible Jobs Perfect For Mamas Going Back To Work

by Guest Post
written by Guest Post

At any point in time – going back to work as a mom can be a challenge. Whether you’re a brand-spanking-new mom going back to an old job once your maternity leave is up, or a stay-at-home-mom who has decided to rejoin the work force, it’s tough. Between school schedules and extracurricular activities, sick kiddos and school holidays, family dinners and field trips, it’s hard to find a job that gives you the flexibility you need to really get back into the workforce.

And that doesn’t even touch on how daunting it can be to rejoin the workforce! Are you looking to rejoin your old field? Do you have a degree to fall back on? Are you looking for entry-level work? Do you want to work out of the house or work from home?

It’s easy to feel nervous and overwhelmed at the thought of putting yourself out there again. Luckily there are plenty of opportunities that are perfect for moms just like you. To ease your stress and get you started, we’ve pulled together a list of five flexible job opportunities to look for — or to create for yourself.

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1. Freelancer

You can freelance as pretty much anything, if you’re willing to put yourself out there and find or make opportunities for yourself. Popular freelancing fields include:

  • Writing and editing
  • Photography
  • Web design and development
  • Marketing and social media management
  • Bookkeeping and tax preparation

Brainstorm a list of your talents, qualifications, work experience and hobbies. Chances are you’ll unearth a few traits and interests that would lend themselves to freelance work. Check Craigslist, local job listings and reputable freelancing sites for opportunities.

The ability to work from home and set your own hours makes freelancing a perfect option for moms.

2. Nurse

Did you know there’s a nursing shortage? If you were a nurse before, now is a great time to consider going back or becoming an instructor. A big part of the nursing shortage is due to a lack of nursing instructors, so taking your skills and experience to the classroom is another valuable option.

For those with no prior nursing experience, this still may be a great option for you. You can get an associate’s degree in two to three years. Or, if you want to get your foot in the door while continuing your education, you can become a medical assistant in as little as a year. You can then pursue a nursing degree while gaining valuable experience.

Nurses tend to have long hours, but that is usually offset by only working three to four days a week, which leaves you free for the remaining three to four days.

Not sure you want to work at a hospital or private practice? Consider looking to hire yourself out for in-home nursing gigs.

3. School Jobs

Don’t have a teaching certification? Don’t worry — there are plenty of school jobs that will allow you to keep the same schedule as your kids without certification.

Degree, experience, on-the-job training, qualifying tests or other requirements will vary job to job, school to school and area to area. Check local public and private schools to see if there are openings for:

  • Teacher’s aides
  • Reading aides
  • ESL support
  • Speech therapy
  • Substitute teachers
  • Cafeteria workers
  • Bus drivers

Similarly, look into becoming a private tutor or online tutor for subjects you have experience or a high level of competence in. And don’t write off the flexibility offered by teaching private lessons in a talent of your choice — singing, playing an instrument, coding, playing a sport, etc.

4. Bank Teller

Despite ATMs, online banking and other technological advances, you may be surprised that bank teller made Forbes’ list of occupations with the most growth in 2015.

Job opportunities aren’t the only advantage being a teller has to offer. Consider:

  • Hours that work well with school schedules and family dinners
  • Bank holidays
  • Requirement of a high school diploma or equivalent
  • On-the-job training
  • Banking and financial ins and outs that are beneficial and relevant to your personal finances

Although some banks have added extended hours, many still follow traditional bank hours, making it a good fit for moms with school-age kids.

5. Translator

In an increasingly diverse, multicultural, global society, skilled translators are a must. Are you fluent in English and a second — or third — language? That’s all you need to nab a position in the rapidly growing field of interpretation and translation.

Doctor’s offices, courthouses and schools are just a few places you can start your search if you’re looking to translate in person or over the phone. If you’d rather work from home, look for opportunities to translate documents or websites. And don’t forget ASL! Sign language interpreters are always in demand.

Even if none of these jobs are the perfect fit for you, hopefully this list will still strengthen your resolve and give you hope. Finding a job is a stressful time for anyone, not just moms, so and remind yourself every day that the search may be hard but you’re worth it! There really are a ton of flexible positions available for the taking, and this list is just the tip of the iceberg. Go get em’, Mamas!

Jennifer Landis is a 27-year-old healthy living blogger who loves yoga, running, and dancing it out with her toddler! You can find more from Jennifer at her blog, Mindfulness Mama, or by following her on Twitter: @jenniferelandis.

 

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