Welcome to NonMom.com where we celebrate motherhood to the fullest! What, you say, why would a site called non-mom be pro-motherhood??
There are few things more valuable to us than the vocation of motherhood. What we aim to recognize here are the aspects of that vocational role that call out the talents of the work-at-home mother. Do you cherish motherhood while at the same time recognize the strength of your non-mom side? This site is for you. Read the About page »
By Anne | Category: Family | Comments: (2)
Is being a work at home mom leaving you with hesitations about taking time away from your children?
Try to involve your kids in your work if you can. My younger ones have folded newsletters, and sealed and stamped envelopes. Older children can file, help with computer tasks, even undertake creative assignments. And a sole proprietor work-at-home mother can pay them a fair wage for those tasks and enjoy a tax savings (check with your tax professional for details).
But even if you can’t literally involve your children because of age or work type, engage them in the mission of your home based business as much as possible. Familiarize them with your work, what you do and why you like it. Share with them the benefits to you personally and to the family inherent in your role as a work at home mother. The age of your children will dictate how much of this you can do, but don’t neglect to revisit this periodically as they advance in age and understanding.
My children like being part of the big picture. They like being business kids!
By Anne | Category: Working at Home | Comments: (0)
Many work at home moms are driven more by economic necessity than desire. One-income families seem to be the exception, not the norm, these days. So choose a home based business that will give you maximum return for the time you have to spend.
Leverage yourself. What does that mean? The dictionary definition of leverage is “strategic advantage.” For the work at home mom, leveraging can take different forms depending upon your type of work.
For me, leverage means investing time in something that will produce residual income year after year from multiple sources. I also help train other moms to have their own home based businesses. (Want to receive that training? Click here to sign up.)
By Anne | Category: Inspiration | Comments: (0)
One of the challenges for the work at home mother is carving out time for themselves. With so many things to do, and so many roles to balance, it’s easy and tempting to shortchange personal fulfillment and renewal time. Don’t do it!
You can’t give what you don’t have. And to have the resources to be a wonderful mom and a work at home mother, that personal, spiritual, mental, emotional and physical time for yourself is essential. Not FOR yourself only, but for the good of all the family.
The end I strive for in making time for myself is beautifully summarized in this quote from some wise person that I cut out and hung on my bulletin board: “I pray for a storehouse of quiet, deep gladness in my heart.”
By Anne | Category: Working at Home | Comments: (2)
Yes, I am a work at home mother by choice. Yes, I am extremely happy with my choice. Nonetheless, I have moments of doubt just like everyone else.
At least I’d had a shower. It could have been worse. But when my (very nice) neighbor stopped by to drop off a pair of gloves her 6 year old son had borrowed when he was here playing in the snow, I couldn’t but help notice her terrific hair, her stylish make-up, and her attractive sweater-jacket.
Then I went to the bathroom to finish drying my hair. I looked at my undryed hair, my make-up-less face (the light makeup usually comes after the hair) and my sweatshirt and a wave of something swept over me. Was it longing? Insecurity? Jealousy? I’m not even sure WHAT it was – I just know that I did some comparing for a moment and I definitely came up short.
Fortunately, it lasted only a moment. The little one gave me a hug. I remembered (again) the many times in the past three weeks of the sub-zero weather at the time that I had counted my blessings at not having to brave the daily elements. And the busy routine of the day kicked in full force, leaving little time for self-pity. Besides, I thought, is THAT why I went to law school? So I could look good? Oh, brother.
By Anne | Category: Inspiration | Comments: (0)
Do you ever feel judged for being or wanting to be a work at home mom?
Some judge you as a sub-optimal mom because your time is not fully spent in that arena.
Others may judge you as an inferior professional because you work at home, rather than the “real world.”
You may even have both set of thoughts about yourself! I know I have. We can be our own worst critics sometimes.
Don’t pay any attention to these critics’ voices (even your own).
They may be jealous, uninformed, or simply of limited vision at the moment. Be thankful you can step outside the “shoulds” and take a less-traveled path.
By Anne | Category: Working at Home | Comments: (1)
Do you have a mission for your home-based business? Do you have a vision for your role as a work at home mother? I am happiest in my current home based business (as opposed to others I’ve had) because it lends itself to both of these in a way that resonates with my values. And that’s the only way I can be in it for the long haul.
By Anne | Category: Inspiration | Comments: (0)
Some days as a work at home mother, keeping the correct emphasis on the mother part requires a lot of discipline. These words of Joseph Cardinal Mindszenty help me keep my priorities focused:
The most important person on earth is a mother. She cannot claim the honor of having built Notre Dame Cathedral. She need not. She has built something more magnificent than any cathedral — a dwelling for an immortal soul, the tiny perfection of her baby’s body.
The angels have not been blessed with such a grace. They cannot share in God’s creative miracle to bring new saints to heaven. Only a human mother can. Mothers are closer to God the Creator than any other creature. God joins forces with mothers in performing this act of creation …
What on God’s good earth is more glorious than this: to be a mother?
— Joseph Cardinal Mindszenty
By Anne | Category: Working at Home | Comments: (0)
A recent AP article focused on the effect of rising gas prices on the habits of stay-at-home moms. They’re staying home more than ever, the article said, because of the transportation costs of going anywhere.
One of the perks of being a work at home mom in my industry (social marketing) is the virtual travel benefits. It’s not uncommon for me to talk with people in multiple states and send e-mails around the world in any given day. And I don’t have to pay for gas 
.
By Anne | Category: Working at Home | Comments: (0)
If you choose to be a work at home mom the type of work you do will naturally impact your experience. I began by doing the same kind of work I’d done in the corporate world – only at home as an independent contractor. The pay was good and I could pick my own hours. But those hours had to be when my husband was home (to watch the kids), and I had to go into my office (a spare bedroom) and shut the door. It just didn’t feel right.
I am much happier with my current work at home situation, capitalizing on social marketing… something I can do in the midst of the kids and their lives. The pay is still good and I can still pick my hours.
Don’t be afraid to explore the best work at home situation for you.