WAHMderful Life Workshop: Real Ways to be a WAHM (The Rerun)

It has been four months since I haven't had a full-time job (yes, I did count). Do I regret my decision? Not in the least. Am I bored at home? At times, I admit. Am I enjoying being a work-at-home mom? SUPER!

I cannot count the number of times that I have said that I am thankful for having been given an opportunity to work from my favorite space (no, it's not the mall, although who's stopping me from working there?). The first time I heard of the term WAHM (work-at-home mom) was through Martine's blog. I was just doing my usual blog-hopping when I was pregnant when I landed on her blog. I have to say, her posts prompted me to look for other working options. So since I was pregnant, I have been working at the university in the morning and working online at night. You can just imagine the stress Laika and I were getting from that! Luckily, we're pass that stage and I have since resigned from my job.

I have to say, I had a difficult time looking for writing gigs at the beginning. And then I heard that  the Manila WAHM's group is going to be holding a workshop for WAHMs and WAHMs-to-be that October. I wanted to join but then I thought I would have a one-month old by then. And then, they had another run that I was able to attend. I have to say I learned a lot and met women who have been inspiring me through my journey. And now, I want to invite YOU to attend the rerun of the WAHMderful Like Workshop.

From the WAHMderful Life website:

The WAHMderful Life Workshop is the ONLY workshop for women who want to work from home while making a home. An original Dainty Mom event, this workshop features a series of interactive workshops geared towards the encouragement and empowerment of women who are working from home or would like to do so.

Our primary audience comprises stay at home moms, moms who want to start a home-based business, moms interested in working from home whether as freelance professionals, telecommuters, or entrepreneurs.

If you’re working, already a WAHM, or are thinking about becoming a work-at-home parent, the WAHMderful Life Workshop is here to help you make that possible.

This rerun of the workshop that I attended will be this Saturday, April 13, 2012. Please click this link for more information and to register.

Playtime with the baby

When I first started working from home, I only did sideline writing and designing jobs. I was still pregnant then with a full-time day job. It was difficult but, with the help of my husband, I was able to do it. Nights were stretched and I did work even during the weekends.

And then, I had to stop working online when Laika was born. By December 2012, I resigned from my job with the plans of working again on January. I was very eager to work that I eventually forgot my reason for adopting this lifestyle--the work-at-home mommy lifestyle.

One day, I saw Laika smiling more when she is with her Ate Sharon (the nanny). Being a happy baby that she is, of course, she still adores me but when I saw how she looks at her Ate, I had to reassess. This is what I have been avoiding and which led me to resign from my work before. Mommy is jealous and she has to do something about it.  

Right then, I had to stop getting projects from people. Quality over quantity this time. I wanted to still be able to play with my daughter in the morning and be there for the husband when he needs me.

I devised a way for this to be possible. Sharon was reassigned to do household chores in the morning while mommy and Laika play in the room. By afternoon, when it is Laika's nap time, I get to face my jobs and be more productive. I also do work when Laika sleeps at night.

Now, Laika has a playschool time with mommy as the teacher.

What do you do to make working at home possible?

Things I Learned from the It's A WAHMderful Life Workshop akaYou-are-not-a-good-writer-unless-you-know-Strunk-and-White"

No more introduction. Let's make this short and to the point.

1. Invest. Now is the right time to set aside money for retirement. Income minus savings must be for expenses. Whatever is left off when you subtract your savings from the income, that's only how much you spend. In our case, my husband takes care of the bills; I am in charge of the savings. At least we know the limit of our expenditure.

2. Refine your skills. I wanted to be a writer and I thought having content is enough. Writing is a craft as what Martine de Luna would say. If going back to high school English is what it takes to improve, do it. I am contemplating enrolling at a writing school. I will keep you posted on this.

By the way, always self-edit!

3. Organize. Freelance writing is difficult as you always need to discipline yourself into focusing on the job. From now on, no more procrastinating. Do things now!

4. Working at home does not mean being a freelancer forever. You can always make a career out of writing-at-home. Impress your clients, they might just hire you for the long haul.

5. Build your resume. Market yourself. Submit portfolio to companies. But never, ever give them a document containing your work. Screen cap is good enough.

What am I doing now and the It's a WAHMderful Life Workshop

Now that I have quit my full time job in the university, what am I doing at present?

I am officially a WAHM. A work-at-home mom. So, what am I working on aside from being a mother to Laika and a wife to Saud?

As I have said before, I am now doing writing gigs for my clients' different needs. I am also helping out on the marketing aspect of my family's little business. And, of course, being a professional, I am doing landscape architectural projects again.

Now that I think about it, juggling different jobs, I am busier than when I had an 8-to-5 work. Allow me to say that I am enjoying where I am at present.  

Being new to this territory, the working at home one where I get to do my job even on my pajamas, I still have a lot to learn and a ton of things to look forward to. At times like this, I know I need a support group. Good thing my friend, Lique, owner of Honeybaby, introduced me to Manila WAHMs Group in facebook. There, I get to see how fellow WAHMs like me balance their family life and work life. I am looking forward to meeting some of them face to face.

On that facebook group, I got to know about It's a WAHMderful Life Workshop. I was looking forward to attending the first one last October but then, I have just given birth and I have not resigned from my job then.

Fortunately, another workshop is being organized by Manila Workshops and this time, I was given the opportunity to sign up.

My only dilemma at first was figuring out if I should attend the Virtual Assistant session or the Freelance Writing session. But now that I know my goal for the future, I have decided on attending the writing group.

Have you signed up for this workshop? Hope to see you there!

Why I decided to be a stay-at-home mother

Many people find it hard to believe that I have chosen to quit my work to be a stay-at-home mother. "Sayang pinag-aralan mo". "Malolosyang ka sa bahay". "Ano na gagawin mo?"

I can't seem to answer them. Not because I don't have an answer. It's because I have so much to say that I don't know where to begin. This poster summed up what I wanted to say perfectly.