There’s no denying that there will be times when you will question your decision to be a work at home mom. Don’t worry, it’s completely normal and it happens to everyone at some point in his or her career.
The key to making certain that you remain confident in your decision to be a WAHM is to carefully consider whether or not working from home is the best choice before you embark on your journey. You should also be prepared for off days, times when you don’t earn as much money as you thought you would, and plain and simple bad days. We all have them, and I can guarantee that at some point, you will too. However, the key to your success is in remembering the positive aspects of working from home and staying committed to your goals.
First, you should create a business plan. In fact, you should have a business plan before you ever leave your current job and begin working from home. You should also have a realistic understanding of how much money you expect to earn during the first year of your business.
The number one way to lose confidence in your success as a work at home mom is to come to the realization that you aren’t making as much money as you thought you would. Careful consideration and planning should go into your choice of a work at home career and you should plan ahead for days when you find your business isn’t as prosperous as you would like it to be.
You should also make sure that you have enough money in savings to carry you through the early part of your work at home career. By knowing that you have your finances secure, you can concentrate more fully on your business without feeling the effects and stress of financial pressure.
When your business plan is set, and you have enough money in savings, it is much easier to remain focused on your decision to be a work at home mom. Though there will be times of change in your career, as long as you are goal oriented and successfully meeting your goals, you can encourage yourself and remain positive through the hard days of your career. By taking the time to set your plan and make daily, weekly, monthly, and even yearly goals, you will find that you will remain focused and confident in your decision to work from home.
It is important that married women have the full support and confidence of their husbands before beginning to work from home. It can be very detrimental to your success if your husband begins to lose faith in your ability to work from home.
Before you make the decision to leave the workplace, you and your husband should discuss how you will handle the financial aspect of your work from home career as well as how you will balance the responsibilities of family and work. With the support of your husband, family, and a great business plan, you’ll find that it will be easy to stay confident in y our decision to be a work from home mother.
Marcia Chumbley is a work at home mom and grandmother in Minnesota. She is the owner of a Christian Work From Home Moms website at Faithful Grannies http://www.faithfulgrannies.com bringing generations of Christian Work From Home Moms, Grandmothers, Parents, Boomers and Families together while providing resources, inspiration and affordable advertising while balancing the work at home experience. She holds a degree in Business and is a CMOM.
Article Source CWAHGrandparents.com
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Quick, Simple Way To Recharge
With juggling kids, homeschooling, home, business, everything that we as Mothers have in our hands, it can really get tough sometimes. So, what do you do to recharge? What helps you make it through and feel creative or inspired or just able to face things again? Here are some things that work for me.
Meditate or Pray: Taking time to be still and quiet, and to reconnect can do wonders for the spirit.
Journal: I journal most days, even if it’s only for a few minutes. I write down my visualization exercises and then I write down at least 5 things that I am thankful for right then.
Thank Someone: A few times a week I randomly pick someone who I am thankful for and/or inspired by and just send a little note or email. I find that my effort to lift someone else’s spirits lifts mine too.
Movement: Yoga, pilates, or dancing. I turn on iTunes and exercise or dance with my kids. It can really relieve stress. The days when I least feel like doing this are the days when I need to the most. If I can just make myself move I find I feel much better the rest of the day.
Quiet Time: Sometimes I light a candle and just sit and read quietly from my Bible or an inspirational book.
Bubbles: Yes, I know this is a stereotype, but it works. If I’m lucky and the kids are all asleep I’ll give myself 5 or 10 minutes in the bath to relax with bubbles and just work to clear my mind of all the stress.
Coffee (aka Reward Yourself): I purchase frappucino mix and make them at home as a treat when I’m particularly stressed. Use something you love as a reward for surviving your day.
Foot Massage or Reflexology: Giving yourself a foot massage or doing reflexology on your feet can really boost your energy level.
Energize with your Nose: I find certain essential oils to be energizing as well — peppermint, lemon, or orange oils work for me. Some people like pine or rosemary or thyme to energize.
Identify and Attack: A few days ago I was really stressed and I cleaned out a closet. As strange as that might sound, I identified that I was feeling “out of control” about a particular situation, and so by doing something that helped me feel organized and in control I resolved that feeling, and then was able to focus on work.
Write it Down: Making a “to do” list before bed helps me sleep better because I don’t worry that I’ll forget something that way. It also lets me easily rank what’s important, and what I can let go of, and that helps me feel more focused and energized.
Support Group or Coach: Sometimes we all need a little support and encouragement. One of the things that helps me tremendously is when I have a session with my business coach. Just the listening ear, outside perspective, and relentless positivity is so inspiring.
I really questioned it before I gave it a try, but I can say that this is one of the best business decisions I’ve made. The accountability doesn’t hurt either when I need to motivate myself to action. Knowing someone else is going to ask if I made positive steps this month is a good motivator. But more than that it’s really recharging to get out what’s going on, what’s going wrong, what’s going right and have someone there to help you through it. So get a coach! Or find a sounding board. Talk to a friend or colleague about being accountability partners. Surround yourself with support and you’ll find comfort and inspiration.
Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com/
Meditate or Pray: Taking time to be still and quiet, and to reconnect can do wonders for the spirit.
Journal: I journal most days, even if it’s only for a few minutes. I write down my visualization exercises and then I write down at least 5 things that I am thankful for right then.
Thank Someone: A few times a week I randomly pick someone who I am thankful for and/or inspired by and just send a little note or email. I find that my effort to lift someone else’s spirits lifts mine too.
Movement: Yoga, pilates, or dancing. I turn on iTunes and exercise or dance with my kids. It can really relieve stress. The days when I least feel like doing this are the days when I need to the most. If I can just make myself move I find I feel much better the rest of the day.
Quiet Time: Sometimes I light a candle and just sit and read quietly from my Bible or an inspirational book.
Bubbles: Yes, I know this is a stereotype, but it works. If I’m lucky and the kids are all asleep I’ll give myself 5 or 10 minutes in the bath to relax with bubbles and just work to clear my mind of all the stress.
Coffee (aka Reward Yourself): I purchase frappucino mix and make them at home as a treat when I’m particularly stressed. Use something you love as a reward for surviving your day.
Foot Massage or Reflexology: Giving yourself a foot massage or doing reflexology on your feet can really boost your energy level.
Energize with your Nose: I find certain essential oils to be energizing as well — peppermint, lemon, or orange oils work for me. Some people like pine or rosemary or thyme to energize.
Identify and Attack: A few days ago I was really stressed and I cleaned out a closet. As strange as that might sound, I identified that I was feeling “out of control” about a particular situation, and so by doing something that helped me feel organized and in control I resolved that feeling, and then was able to focus on work.
Write it Down: Making a “to do” list before bed helps me sleep better because I don’t worry that I’ll forget something that way. It also lets me easily rank what’s important, and what I can let go of, and that helps me feel more focused and energized.
Support Group or Coach: Sometimes we all need a little support and encouragement. One of the things that helps me tremendously is when I have a session with my business coach. Just the listening ear, outside perspective, and relentless positivity is so inspiring.
I really questioned it before I gave it a try, but I can say that this is one of the best business decisions I’ve made. The accountability doesn’t hurt either when I need to motivate myself to action. Knowing someone else is going to ask if I made positive steps this month is a good motivator. But more than that it’s really recharging to get out what’s going on, what’s going wrong, what’s going right and have someone there to help you through it. So get a coach! Or find a sounding board. Talk to a friend or colleague about being accountability partners. Surround yourself with support and you’ll find comfort and inspiration.
Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com/
Monday, March 31, 2008
Spring Activities For Kids
Spring is here and what better way to enjoy and appreciate those lovely spring days outdoors with your children than blowing bubbles! Kids Craft Recipe for Homemade Bubbles:
Giant Bubbles
3 cups water
1 cup dishwashing liquid or baby shampoo
1/3 cup light corn syrup
Mix all together in a large bowl. Instead of using dishwashing liquid, I use Baby Shampoo. This won't sting children's eyes if the bubbles splatter in their eyes.
Homemade Bubble Wands
1.Classic coat hanger wand:
Bend a wire hanger into a circle and handle. Wrap the circle with string. Dipping container: Upside down trash can lid.
2.Giant Soap Bubble Wand:
Use 2 drinking straws, and a length of string, about 48 inches long. Thread the string through both of the straws, and knot the ends. Pour the bubble solution in a square or rectangular shaped pan. Lay the straws and string down in the soap solution. Gently lift up the straws, one in each hand. Spread the straws apart as you lift, and a giant bubble will form. Wave your arms across in the air and the bubble will be set free, to float up and away.
Shampoo Paint
6 Tbsp shampoowaterMix shampoo with a small amount of water and beat with an electric mixer. The shampoo should become like shaving cream. If it is too thick, add more water. If it is too runny, add more shampoo. This is great fun for kids to play with in the bath tub. For more spring activity and craft ideas for kids, visit www.create-kids-crafts.com.
Article Source: http://www.thewahmshack.com/articledirectory
Giant Bubbles
3 cups water
1 cup dishwashing liquid or baby shampoo
1/3 cup light corn syrup
Mix all together in a large bowl. Instead of using dishwashing liquid, I use Baby Shampoo. This won't sting children's eyes if the bubbles splatter in their eyes.
Homemade Bubble Wands
1.Classic coat hanger wand:
Bend a wire hanger into a circle and handle. Wrap the circle with string. Dipping container: Upside down trash can lid.
2.Giant Soap Bubble Wand:
Use 2 drinking straws, and a length of string, about 48 inches long. Thread the string through both of the straws, and knot the ends. Pour the bubble solution in a square or rectangular shaped pan. Lay the straws and string down in the soap solution. Gently lift up the straws, one in each hand. Spread the straws apart as you lift, and a giant bubble will form. Wave your arms across in the air and the bubble will be set free, to float up and away.
Shampoo Paint
6 Tbsp shampoowaterMix shampoo with a small amount of water and beat with an electric mixer. The shampoo should become like shaving cream. If it is too thick, add more water. If it is too runny, add more shampoo. This is great fun for kids to play with in the bath tub. For more spring activity and craft ideas for kids, visit www.create-kids-crafts.com.
Article Source: http://www.thewahmshack.com/articledirectory
Friday, March 28, 2008
So what is it about working from home?
Working from home, Entrepreneur, home-based business... You hear alot of hype about working from home. It all sounds glamorous and easy to do. But it's much harder than one thinks.
There's alot to consider :
1) Before I even speak in detail with someone, I ask them "WHY". Why do you want to work from home? This is very important for me to know. If you don't have a defined "why" you want to work at home, odds are you will not succeed in working at home. Your reason to work at home HAS to be stronger than your reason not to. There has to be drive, determination and persistence. Without it, you will not succeed.
2) Determine if you are looking to work from home full time or part time. Not all work at home opportunities are full time. So make sure that the company you are looking into can accommodate your desired hours of work.
3) When looking into companies that you are considering to work for, check the BBB (better business bureau) on each company. But here's the thing. You need to know what state that company is located in. And then you call the BBB in that state. I have heard a few people tell me that they called the BBB in the state that they live in, not the state that the company is located in. And they were given incorrect information. The BBB has the ability to make or break a company.
Key items to check on when contacting the BBB:
A) How long has the company been in business?
B) Has the company previously been under a different name? If yes, I suggest staying away. There's a reason.
C) Has the company filed bankruptcy before?
D) Has the company growth continuously grown positive?
E) Has the company moved around?
F) Has the company had the same phone number and for how long?
*** Understand this... It is impossible for a company to make every person happy. And if a company should have some negative feedback, how can you say that it's the fault of the company? What if someone worked for "company A" but did not have the drive, determination, skills, ability, time... What if life just got in the way and that person gave up on the company. Now this person is going to leave negative feedback on "company A", when it was not the companies fault. ***
4) Depending on the business that you are working, you will want to make sure that you have the main necessities. Computer, printer, fax, (there is a online fax service available), copier, highlighters (great for color coding procedures), business cards, paper, notebooks, daily planner, monthly whiteboard with erasable markers, promotional items, and the list goes on and on.
5) Create a work schedule and stick with it. Designate the time you want to work your business and write it down. Let everyone know that this is when you will be working and treat it as that, (work). Now believe me, I know this can be difficult. Especially if you are a single parent and you have younger children. You may only be able to work 20 minutes here, 15 minutes there..... But it will become routine. And I believe in letting my kids help me out as well as setting time aside just for my kids. This is definitely give and take for everyone involved.
6) Stay focused and motivated. Knows your "WHY".
7) Create a goal chart and hang it above your work area. That way you can see it everyday. I picked up a poster board. I used one half of the board and wrote down the goals that I have and the date that they will be achieved. Then on the right side of the poster board, I have pictures cut out and pasted on the board. If you are a visual person, this is great.... Maybe you have your dream house, washer and dryer, a certain landscaped lawn, a car, a picture of the ocean.... Whatever you desire, find a picture of it and put it up on your board.
8) Utilize all the tools that are available for your business. Don't limit yourself. Dip into everything your company has... Become an asset.
9) If you have to talk on the phone, STAND UP..... Take posture. Don't sit and slouch because that does come through over the phone.
10) Keep yourself in check. This is your company. Would you hire or fire yourself? Would you want to work with someone like yourself ?
Source: Cindy Ashworth @ www.successfulwahm.blogspot.com and http://www.mykidsmywhy.com/
Ok, I hope some of this can help. Feel free to use this source but it MUST be linked back to me. Cindy Ashworth is a WAHM on a part time basis and can be found at : http://www.successfulwahm.blogspot.com and www.mykidsmywhy.com . Yes, this is original and I wrote it. LOL...
There's alot to consider :
1) Before I even speak in detail with someone, I ask them "WHY". Why do you want to work from home? This is very important for me to know. If you don't have a defined "why" you want to work at home, odds are you will not succeed in working at home. Your reason to work at home HAS to be stronger than your reason not to. There has to be drive, determination and persistence. Without it, you will not succeed.
2) Determine if you are looking to work from home full time or part time. Not all work at home opportunities are full time. So make sure that the company you are looking into can accommodate your desired hours of work.
3) When looking into companies that you are considering to work for, check the BBB (better business bureau) on each company. But here's the thing. You need to know what state that company is located in. And then you call the BBB in that state. I have heard a few people tell me that they called the BBB in the state that they live in, not the state that the company is located in. And they were given incorrect information. The BBB has the ability to make or break a company.
Key items to check on when contacting the BBB:
A) How long has the company been in business?
B) Has the company previously been under a different name? If yes, I suggest staying away. There's a reason.
C) Has the company filed bankruptcy before?
D) Has the company growth continuously grown positive?
E) Has the company moved around?
F) Has the company had the same phone number and for how long?
*** Understand this... It is impossible for a company to make every person happy. And if a company should have some negative feedback, how can you say that it's the fault of the company? What if someone worked for "company A" but did not have the drive, determination, skills, ability, time... What if life just got in the way and that person gave up on the company. Now this person is going to leave negative feedback on "company A", when it was not the companies fault. ***
4) Depending on the business that you are working, you will want to make sure that you have the main necessities. Computer, printer, fax, (there is a online fax service available), copier, highlighters (great for color coding procedures), business cards, paper, notebooks, daily planner, monthly whiteboard with erasable markers, promotional items, and the list goes on and on.
5) Create a work schedule and stick with it. Designate the time you want to work your business and write it down. Let everyone know that this is when you will be working and treat it as that, (work). Now believe me, I know this can be difficult. Especially if you are a single parent and you have younger children. You may only be able to work 20 minutes here, 15 minutes there..... But it will become routine. And I believe in letting my kids help me out as well as setting time aside just for my kids. This is definitely give and take for everyone involved.
6) Stay focused and motivated. Knows your "WHY".
7) Create a goal chart and hang it above your work area. That way you can see it everyday. I picked up a poster board. I used one half of the board and wrote down the goals that I have and the date that they will be achieved. Then on the right side of the poster board, I have pictures cut out and pasted on the board. If you are a visual person, this is great.... Maybe you have your dream house, washer and dryer, a certain landscaped lawn, a car, a picture of the ocean.... Whatever you desire, find a picture of it and put it up on your board.
8) Utilize all the tools that are available for your business. Don't limit yourself. Dip into everything your company has... Become an asset.
9) If you have to talk on the phone, STAND UP..... Take posture. Don't sit and slouch because that does come through over the phone.
10) Keep yourself in check. This is your company. Would you hire or fire yourself? Would you want to work with someone like yourself ?
Source: Cindy Ashworth @ www.successfulwahm.blogspot.com and http://www.mykidsmywhy.com/
Ok, I hope some of this can help. Feel free to use this source but it MUST be linked back to me. Cindy Ashworth is a WAHM on a part time basis and can be found at : http://www.successfulwahm.blogspot.com and www.mykidsmywhy.com . Yes, this is original and I wrote it. LOL...
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
My Business
After a little talk with a friend of mine. (Thanks Ron), I have decided to take the pictures of my kids down, just leaving the 1 picture of us up.... Which has come to be my signature on my blog as well as my website.
The purpose of this blog was designed for my work and to help others look at all the options of working at home full time or part time.
What started out for business, turned into a little personal as well... I don't know how people blog strictly business without getting a little personal.
Which has led to my decision that I will create a personal blog.... Where all the juicy details shall be.... LOL... But I will keep this one focused on Business.
If I seem to be adding alot of single moms stuff to this blog, that's because I am a single mom and if I come across resources that can possibly help another single mom, I will put it up.
With all the traffic that I get here, I want to continue with what I started this for.... And try do do a much better job at it.
Thanks to everyone that comes... And if you look for the personal side of me.. Just hang in there... I will get my personal blog going and add the link to it from here.
The purpose of this blog was designed for my work and to help others look at all the options of working at home full time or part time.
What started out for business, turned into a little personal as well... I don't know how people blog strictly business without getting a little personal.
Which has led to my decision that I will create a personal blog.... Where all the juicy details shall be.... LOL... But I will keep this one focused on Business.
If I seem to be adding alot of single moms stuff to this blog, that's because I am a single mom and if I come across resources that can possibly help another single mom, I will put it up.
With all the traffic that I get here, I want to continue with what I started this for.... And try do do a much better job at it.
Thanks to everyone that comes... And if you look for the personal side of me.. Just hang in there... I will get my personal blog going and add the link to it from here.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
My overall review of the Bahamas
This was years ago when we went to the Bahamas. What a trip it was. I remember taking a bus (travel bus) to the beach.... I remember the driver telling us not o stay out in the sun longer than 20 minutes at a time...And I was thinking "we are at a beach, what's the problem"? Well, the pictures do not do justice..... I was fried.
In the pic of me sitting, it hurt to even sit... My hands were even fried. We even had hotel staff come in and rub us down with vinegar. They said the vinegar takes the stinging out from the burn. And everyone that knows me, knows that I CAN'T stand the smell of vinegar... LOL.
Just look at how my ex-husband turned out...... LMAO.
In the pic of me sitting, it hurt to even sit... My hands were even fried. We even had hotel staff come in and rub us down with vinegar. They said the vinegar takes the stinging out from the burn. And everyone that knows me, knows that I CAN'T stand the smell of vinegar... LOL.
Just look at how my ex-husband turned out...... LMAO.
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Friday, March 21, 2008
Let's Celebrate Easter
Many people are wondering what Easter actually means, as the true meaning of Easter has been lost. What I can tell you is it isn’t about cute little fluffy chickens, nor does it have anything to do with Easter bunnies. It isn’t even about Easter eggs. Although an egg can represent ‘new life’ because new life hatches from the egg, and Jesus was resurrected on the third day – giving us new life in Him. But just like Christmas, the real meaning has been forgotten. For those of us that are Christians, we understand what Easter is all about. But for those that haven’t experienced this ‘new life’ in Jesus, I want to share with you the Easter story.
In Old Testament times, the priest would bring bulls, goats or a spotless lamb without any blemishes to be sacrificed as a sin offering for himself and for the people. The blood would purify and make atonement (forgive, make amends) for their sins. This was the old order of atonement. When Jesus came, He was a representation of the sacrificial lamb to take away the sins of the world. He was the final sacrifice. We no longer have to sacrifice animals to make atonement for our sins. Jesus has done this once and for all. It’s His blood that cleanses us from all sin. He was crucified on the cross (the form of execution in those days). The sin of the world was upon Him, yet, he was without sin and blameless. He bore it all. This is why Jesus is referred to as the ‘Lamb of God’. He was bodily resurrected (came back to life) on the third day. He appeared to many – eating and drinking with them. He appeared to them for 40 days, then ascended (went up to) Heaven.Acts 1: 1-11
Be sure to read the Crucifixion story and the Resurrection story from the Bible.
In Old Testament times, the priest would bring bulls, goats or a spotless lamb without any blemishes to be sacrificed as a sin offering for himself and for the people. The blood would purify and make atonement (forgive, make amends) for their sins. This was the old order of atonement. When Jesus came, He was a representation of the sacrificial lamb to take away the sins of the world. He was the final sacrifice. We no longer have to sacrifice animals to make atonement for our sins. Jesus has done this once and for all. It’s His blood that cleanses us from all sin. He was crucified on the cross (the form of execution in those days). The sin of the world was upon Him, yet, he was without sin and blameless. He bore it all. This is why Jesus is referred to as the ‘Lamb of God’. He was bodily resurrected (came back to life) on the third day. He appeared to many – eating and drinking with them. He appeared to them for 40 days, then ascended (went up to) Heaven.Acts 1: 1-11
Be sure to read the Crucifixion story and the Resurrection story from the Bible.
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