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The working mom/WAHM thing never appealed to me. I had no desire to try to balance my family and my work. Loose ends stress me out. I do not like having to set a project aside and leave it unfinished. Life has taken me down roads I often have no interest in traveling, but often those experiences that break me out of my comfort zone are the greatest opportunities for learning. Blogging has been this type of experience in my life.
When I started this blog, I assumed others were like me. I assumed others would understand that my perspective as a stay-at-home mom had been shaped by my experiences, and that sharing them was to help and not hurt; to engage in discussion about the state of parenting, motherhood and the family unit.
What shocked me about blogging was how often people will actually attack. I have received messages saying, “You should not have posted that statement,” “You are being judgemental,” or “You are wrong for choosing to parent that way!”
Amazing stuff, right? I hope some personal friends and family of mine are reading this, because they might be amazed by these things. They know me, how I parent, and how my children behave. We are not THAT crazy. 🙂
I had no idea how thick my skin had to become as a blogger. Life prepared me well.
Why I Started Blogging
I really was content to be a Stay-at-Home Mom. “JUST” being a stay at home mom was a major goal in my life. I told my husband before we were married that when we had children (if we had children) I was going to stay at home with them. I wanted to be present every day for my children like my mom was for me.
As a new mom, I started meeting and befriending a lot of moms who did not share my passion or enjoyment for being a SAHM. They felt robbed of their goals and dreams, and were beginning to dislike their role as “just” wife and mom. I felt called to help them focus on the joys, the benefits and the long term goals of being a stay-at-home mom, the long-term benefits of being present for our children.
I posted a status update on my Facebook profile meant to help friends find ways to feel empowered and valuable as “just” stay-at-home moms. A friend of mine said to me, “You should start a blog?” A few other friends commented that I should do it since I had so much experience in early childhood education, and had a natural ability to find the value in being a stay-at-home mom. So, the rest-they say-is history.
Finding Balance and Joy as a Stay-at-Home, Work-at-Home, Mom Blogger
Family always comes first as hard as it can be at times to set a new post aside unfinished. But this blog will always be here, my children will not stop and wait for me to be done.
The reality is caring for children ALWAYS leaves loose ends and unfinished projects because we always have to stop what we are doing to attend to something more important or someone who needs us RIGHT NOW! There is no way to avoid it.
I am caring for my kids, and sneaking in a few minutes for the blog when they have quiet time, after they go to sleep and when I can fit it in on weekends. When my husband is home he gets the majority of my time in the evenings. I probably have about 1-2 hours a day during the week, and 2 hours a day on the weekends to devote to just blogging. Not always, but on the ideal days that is how it works.
I could work on this blog from sun up to sun down. Writer’s block is not a problem for me. I wish I could catch a case of it, because I have more ideas than time to write right now. But, that is the problem with seeking balance in this season of motherhood: We can not do it all all of the time.
Every day brings a new challenge for finding balance as a work-at-home, stay-at-home mom blogger. The internet has opened up so many options for us. There are many resources for working at home. You can even build a home-based business selling essential oils! Health benefits for your family AND you help others live a healthier lifestyle.
Blogging is fun and exciting. I get to create and share, and even get paid to do it without having to charge you a thing! You get mom motivation, activities for infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school age kids, reviews of products, homemaking tips, and more free. Plus, as a subscriber you get additional freebies just because I love sharing with you.
I appreciate the time you take to read, comment, and “share”. Those little acts have a big impact on the blog-more than you know.
How to Be a Stay-at-Home Mom Blogger Blog Hop
A few stay at home mom blogger friends have joined with me today to share their blogging insights, stories, and experiences with you. If you’ve ever wanted to learn what life is like as a stay-at-home mom blogger, or see if it could work for you, this is your chance. Work-at-home moms, homeschool moms, stay-at-home moms-we have all kinds in this blog hop!
How I do it all as a homeschooling WAHM – What’s Up Fagans?
Half Empty or Half Full? – pfeifferphotography72 – Photography Enthusiast
Laughter, Love, and Meltdowns: Being a SAHM Blogger – Play Dough and Popsicles
The Secret life of a Homeschooling Mom Blogger – Craft Create Calm
The Truth About Being A Blogging Homeschool Mom – Organized Home Organized School
Check out their thoughts on blogging and balancing it all with being wives and moms at home full-time. Even if you are not a blogger or WAHM, learning how other moms find balance in this season of life is always interesting.
Resources for How to Start a Blog
How to Start a Blog in 3 Quick Steps – What Mommy Does
How to Make Money Blogging – What’s Up Fagans?
How to Start a Blog: The Beginner’s Guide to Successful Blogging – First Site Guide
Resources for Starting a Home-Based Business
Work at Home Job Resources for Moms
Work at Home Resources (part of the Complete Guide for Stay-at-Home Moms)
Home-Based Business Sharing Essential Oils
Have you ever thought of starting a blog or a home-based business? What is holding you back?
I just started my blog, HomeWorkin Mama where I will share my experiences as a WFH Mom, first time mom, etc. I am also going to homeschool my daughter and share information I learn and use for that! Please check it out!
I just started my blog, HomeWorkin Mama where I will share my experiences as a WFH Mom, first time mom, etc. I am also going to homeschool my daughter and share information I learn and use for that! Please check it out!
http://homeworkinmama.com
Wonderful! I wish you well with it.
It is hard to balance blogging/WAH with raising a family. Sometimes I feel like there is never a break. Thanks for all of these great resources.
I agree. My me time is basically work time now. It’s ok, because I love writing and creating, but you are right, there is always something to do.
I am right there with you! I am trying to find the balance between being a SAHM and a blogger. It’s tough, but adventurous!
Adventurous indeed! I hope you find the balance you need each day. For me it is a day-to-day ebb and flow for sure.
I sure do appreciate this post and all of the resources you share. I love staying at home, blogging, and homeschooling. It is always a fun filled day. And it is so important to keep things in perspective. When I don’t, I get stressed. It truly is a balancing act and we certainly do need to give ourselves grace. It’s hard work and it’s work worth doing. I like your blog set up and what you do. I’m glad I read more about how you got started. You inspire me. Great post. I’ll be back to read about the other Mom bloggers.
You are so kind. I am finding my way, just like you and working hard at what God lays at my feet. Hopefully we both are doing good work for Him. I know we are both trying! 🙂 It’s always great to have you stop by.
Oh my gosh, I hear you! Finding the balance is indeed a challenge. I also cannot devote the amount of time that other bloggers seem to, but right now, it’s working out just fine. Blogging is an outlet for me. If I could turn it into a job, that would be fantastic, but I’m pretty okay with it just as it is for now 🙂 These are some fantastic resources you’ve included! I hope it helps someone reach their goals!
Thank you for sharing with us at #mommymeetupmondays!
I feel that way too, Brandyn. I wonder how some bloggers manage it all. I know for now I too have to step back and make sure my focus is on my family. Blogging is a fun outlet! I wish you the best as you explore blogging!
Great post, Jaimi! I started my blog back before I even had children. It’s changed so much over the years it’s not even funny!
Lots of wonderful advice here.
You are a pro! Blogging seems to change constantly…just when I get it figured out! 🙂
Hi From Mommy Meetup Monday!
Finding the balance as a SAHM and wanting to do other things like blogging is a constant work in progress. As soon as I thought I had it figured out, my oldest dropped his nap and my youngest went down to one nap 🙂 Now I’m in the process of finding balance again 🙂
I know how that goes! I think I have to re-balance every other week or so. Once I get a system figured out, things change again. Kids like to keep us on our toes!