Moms, work at home opportunities may give you the freedom and income you want. While working at home may be a dream situation for many moms, there are just as many disadvantages as benefits. Exploring these six pros and cons can help you decide whether you should consider being a WAHM or if you are better suited to a more traditional job or career situation. Every woman needs to make the right objective choice for herself.
Consider these six pros and cons for moms who work from home:
Yay! – You get to spend more time with your kids on a daily basis. You will not miss their first words, first steps, first anything. You can raise them as you see fit instead of handing off the bulk of their rearing to a child care provider.
Boo! – Spending more time with your kids can also be a detriment for some women who get frustrated easily or need more adult content to feel satisfied. Being a full-time parent and full-time worker can be stressful.
Yay! – Working at home allows you to take control of your earnings. Working harder or smarter will result in more money for your family. At an actual job, this may not be true. You will have to ask for a raise instead.
Boo! – In the beginning, your finances may feel more out of control than ever. Working at home does not automatically ensure your success. You might miss the regular paychecks and especially the health insurance and other benefits. Not everyone has the financial ability to become an entrepreneur.
Yay! – You can save a lot more money when you are a work at home mom as well. No more transportation costs for your daily commute. No more buying specialty work clothes. And the biggest expense – child care – will be gone.
Boo! – Women who like to shop may miss buying and dressing up in clothes fancier than sweatshirts and pajama bottoms. Although saving money is a good thing, being able to treat yourself to a special something can be a substantial reward that no longer makes sense.
Yay! – Being a WAHM can lead to greater feelings of self-confidence, positive control and reduce stress as well. You will get to do a type of job or work in a business you enjoy and feel passionate about. Since you are contributing directly to both the household and the financial status, your sense of self worth may skyrocket.
Boo! – Moms who work at home need to get used to being complimented or appreciated by their significant other and themselves only. For women who are motivated by external positivity, working alone and relying on your own review of how well you are doing can be stressful in itself.
Yay! – Your hours will be completely flexible if you work at home, unless you actually have a telecommuting job that has set hours. Still, there is increased flexibility on things like breaks, lunch hour and in case you have to jump up to help one of your kids in a hurry. In most cases of freelance WAHMs or ones who have started their own business, you can easily work before the kids wake up, after they go to bed or any time.
Boo! – Flexible hours can lead to friends and family trying to take advantage of your supposed newfound freedom. Even if you tell them you work just as many hours, people may stop by, call or ask for favors during your working hours because, “You are just at home, anyway.”
Yay! – Avoiding the drama and politics of office or work place life can be one of the greatest benefits to a woman who makes the switch to working at home. Many women do not enjoy navigating the social atmosphere of the office, worrying about being on the right person’s good size and potentially having to kowtow to higher ups in order to get a raise.
Boo! – Extroverts who enjoy the socialization with other adults and even the creative navigation of the workplace social situation will definitely miss it all if they decide to work at home. You must find other options for getting out and being with people.
