WAHM Interview: Chatting with May

When I first started contemplating if I could be a WAHM I always hesitated because I wasn't sure if I could make it work and I didn't know anyone who actually worked at home and made a comfortable living.

I hope the interviews here will inspire you to take that step and fulfill your dream of being a work at home mom.

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May is new to the WAHM community but she is thoroughly enjoying the benefits of being a work at home mom. Find out how she started and what tips you can take from her story for your own journey of becoming a WAHMom.

Age: 35

Have you had an office job? Yes

What has been the best experience of being a work at home mom? 

I don’t think I can call myself a WAHM yet because I am primarily managing a waffle business located in a mall.  I’ve only been accepting part time transcription jobs whenever I have extra time but haven’t really earned that much from it yet. But I think the best part of being a WAHM is that you get to spend time at home and still earn.

How long have you been a WAHM?

Just a few months ago, I quit my office job last March and launched my business but only tried working from home 3 months after. On an average I accept jobs once or twice a week, so I can’t say that I am that experienced.

What is your current WAHM job?

Part time transcriptionist.

Where did you first hear about being a WAHM?

At work. I have several colleagues who quit their office jobs to work from home.

What made you decide to become a WAHM?

Since I have extra time at home after my mall visits, I thought of doing some part time job at home. 

What would you say are the challenges of being a WAHM?

You need to have a strong sense of discipline and not let yourself procrastinate and beating deadlines.

What are the three things you need to be a successful WAHM?

Discipline, focus and time management

What online job sites would you recommend to WAHM beginners?

I’ve tried only Odesk so far. 

What is a normal day for you?

If I’m not in the store, I record and keep track of the daily inventories, trending and balancing sales for next orders, completing weekly/end of month reports and BIR tasks. Recently, I have been interviewing for new staff and will be training for the next few days. 

How has being a WAHM changed your life?

I have more time for myself and my family.

Words of encouragement for wannabe WAHMs?

Am I qualified? LOL! I don’t consider myself a successful WAHM yet to be able to give words of encouragement.

WAHM Interview: Chatting with Eve

When I first started contemplating if I could be a WAHM I always hesitated because I wasn't sure if I could make it work and I didn't know anyone who actually worked at home and made a comfortable living.

I hope the interviews here will inspire you to take that step and fulfill your dream of being a work at home mom.

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Eve has been a WAHM for over a year and has successfully proven that one can be a dedicated mom while working at home. Read on to learn more about Eve's views and insights to becoming a WAHMom.

Age: 25 

Number of Children: 1

What has been the best experience of being a work at home mom? 

I'd like to cite two of the best experiences of being a work-at-home mom! First, being able to witness all the milestones in Carlos' existence. Second, being the first person to hug him, console him, nurse him, kiss him and more whenever and wherever he needs it.

How long have you been a WAHM?

1 year and 6 months

What is your current WAHM job?

Online ESL (English as a second language) teacher, transcriptionist and other home based projects that are within my capacity and talent. :)

Where did you first hear about being a WAHM?

On Facebook.

What made you decide to become a WAHM?

Honestly, I did not go through a painful and daunting process just to become a WAHM. Up until this very moment that I'm writing this down, I still feel that it was all God's plan. I lost my job when I was pregnant so I had no choice but to find a way to earn what I need to earn. Besides, I don't like the idea of procrastinating for a long period of time (Really?!). When I gave birth, I knew I had a choice to look for a job and I feel like people around me were expecting me to do so (which is still happening right now) but that didn't happen and I wouldn't be telling you all of this if I chose to work outside the home.

What would you say are the challenges of being a WAHM?

Working with the baby, kids, adults, dogs, cats, and other distractions around is one major challenge I am encountering day to day. Remember that you're no longer working in an office that's very conducive for work related stuff. This time your office could be your bedroom, living room, dining room, kitchen, and all the kinds of rooms there are in your house. With that being said, anyone can easily bug you and ask you to do a favor whilst working, thus, taking your focus away from your work. 

What are the three things you need to be a successful WAHM?

Since everybody's going crazy about "Please Be Careful With My Heart", especially about SER Chief (admit it or not, you're one of them), let me use the letters SER to stand for the three things which I think are essential for you to get through the life of being a WAHM:

S-Support

Ask for support from your husband and the entire family (including your neighbors if you want).

Whenever friends ask me about how to be a WAHM, I tell them the process but I also and always tell them to think about it over and over and to ask support from their husband and family. The transition from being a career woman to a work at home mom is really not easy. It gets frustrating at times especially when you feel like your budget is running low or you're not properly managing your time or worse, you can't find the right client or employer. That's why support coming from these people is very important.

E-Explore

Once you've decided to be a WAHM, you have to explore and research. Your computer is now your new best friend! (Baka magkapalit pa nga kayo ng mukha eh! Translation: You might switch faces with your computer monitor!) So you better take extra care of it! You can always find available jobs that are home based on the internet. Don't limit yourself to the skills you currently possess. Yo can also explore your hidden talents and add more skills to your already long list by joining workshops, trainings or even taking TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority) courses. Take note that there are also online trainings and workshops.

R- be Realistic

Being a WAHM is also like applying in the corporate world as a fresh graduate. Your resume is empty aside from the scholastic records, seminars attended and best student award that you have. So when starting, you have to set your expectations right and be realistic. No one will offer you a high salary right away if you haven't gathered enough experience yet. Instead of complaining or jumping from one employer to another, take what is being offered (as long as the tasks and salary are reasonable) and make it your stepping stone for a better employment and even better salary in your next months of being a WAHM.

What online job sites would you recommend to WAHM beginners?

I recommend you join the Facebook group Manila Work-at-Home-Moms, oDesk (only for patient people as the start could be daunting) and of course, my page Online ESL Teachers Training where I constantly post job openings for those who are and want to be online ESL teachers.

What is a normal day for you?

It depends on the projects I work on. However, no matter how light or how toxic my day is, I always wash my little boy's clothes. Haha!

How has being a WAHM changed your life?

I never worked out of home since I gave birth to Carlos so I really don't have anything to compare it with. All I know is that I am really happy that God has brought me to being a WAHM. My mind is sound (most of the time) because I know Carlos is just an arms reach away or next-door-reach away from me.

Words of encouragement for wannabe WAHMs?

If you won't take a step forward to being a WAHM then you wouldn't know the answer to your questions. If things didn't work for you the first time, you can still keep going back to where you think you should really be. You can keep trying until it works for you and the family. I know I am not in the position to tell you all of these things but I can assure you that it's really rewarding and it's worth a try! 

I forgot to mention, you'd be able to follow every single episode of "Please Be Careful With My Heart" or any of your favorite TV series! You want that don't you? :)

May God give you the courage, strength, employer and everything that you need to be a successful WAHM! :)

WAHM Interview: Chatting with Len

When I first started contemplating if I could be a WAHM I always hesitated because I wasn't sure if I could make it work and I didn't know anyone who actually worked at home and made a comfortable living.

I hope the interviews here will inspire you to take that step and fulfill your dream of being a work at home mom.

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Len manages a franchise of a well known burger chain called Brothers Burger located in Katipunan, Quezon City. It has made her WAHM life ideal since she is able to work her schedule around her kids which is what work at home mothers aim to do. She has been successful at handling their business and being available to her children. Read more to learn how the WAHM life is treating Len.

Age: 34
Number of children: 3

What has been the best experience of being a work at home mom? 
The best thing about being a work at home mom is you get to experience the best of both worlds without compromising quality time with the kids. Since I have flexible time, I can bring my kids to school, pick them up and help them with their homework.

How long have you been a WAHM?
I have been a WAHM for four years now.

What made you decide to become a WAHM?
I used to be a SAHM when I had my first child and when she started schooling I also started handling our business to help my husband to keep myself busy while my daughter’s in school.

What would you say are the challenges of being a WAHM?
There hasn’t been so much challenge for me since I can easily arrange my schedule. There are times though when I am caught up at work till afternoon or evening, during these times, monitoring and tutoring my daughter becomes a challenge because by the time I get home, she’s sleepy or too tired to review with me. When some of them are sick, of course they are my priority so I just call the restaurant to check and view the CCTV cameras every now and then.

What are the three things you need to be a successful WAHM?
To be a successful WAHM, one must be patient, flexible and creative. Trying to stick to your planned schedule is going to help you get all of your many daily tasks done. However, you do need to prepare for the fact that at one point, something will come up and they will throw your schedule completely off track. Like, if your child just keeps pulling at your pants and wanting all your attention? This is when you know it’s time to take a break and give your child the undivided attention that they need and deserve. After all, one of the main reasons you chose to be a WAHM is to give time to your loved ones while earning at the same time. You also need to be creative when it comes to thinking of tasks that you can give your kids to keep them busy while you're working. 

What is a normal day for you?
On weekdays, I usually start my day at 5am. I'll have my quiet time, then prepare breakfast and kid's snacks for school. Then I'll prepare the kids and bring them to school, usually with my husband. While waiting for the kid's dismissal, I go to the restaurant to check on it. Sometimes I would go back home after dropping the kids off school to spend time with my youngest. If I am at home by 11am, I prepare lunch and feed my 2 toddlers. After lunch they are usually sleepy so I put them down for a nap. I will then pick up my daughter in the afternoon then go back to the restaurant. By 5:30, I have to head home to prepare our dinner, yes, I don't let our helper cook our food. It has to be me and only me.

How has being a WAHM changed your life?
Working and being able to take care of my family at the same time has given me a lot of satisfaction. Knowing that I can help my husband while caring for the kids gives me joy and the sense of fulfillment is always there. Seeing my kids happy because I can attend to their needs anytime is something that I wouldn't want to exchange for any higher paying full time job because the happiness that I can get from being a WAHM is priceless.

Words of encouragement for wannabe WAHMs?
Being a WAHM is not an easy job, but any mom that I know would do their best to make time for their kids. Once you see your kids' eyes light up because they see you spending more time with them, the joy is overwhelming. You will have the best of both worlds and the most important thing is the happiness that no amount of money can buy.

WAHMom Interview: Chatting with Roly

When I first started contemplating if I could be a WAHM I always hesitated because I wasn't sure if I could make it work and I didn't know anyone who actually worked at home and made a comfortable living.

When my close friend, Roly ventured into it and was successful it became that extra push to try it myself. I hope the interviews here will inspire you to try it as well if it's what you've been dreaming of doing.

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Roly once upon a time worked at a call center and was on the night shift. We all know how challenging it can be to work on the night shift but it's even harder when you have a little one waiting at home. When she found out about online jobs it was something she aspired to eventually do and I'm very happy to say has been successful at.

Roly, Mao Mao & Marley

Age: 31

Number of children: 2

What has been the best experience of being a work at home mom?

I can be with my kids 24/7 and I wouldn’t miss a moment of them growing up.

How long have you been a WAHM?

2 years and 1 & ½ months

What is your current WAHM job?

Marketing/Personal Assistant and Online English Tutor

Where did you first hear about being a WAHM?

From a very good friend

What made you decide to become a WAHM?

I used to work a graveyard shift, along with my husband, and my son was left at home with a nanny. It worried me a lot. Also, I felt like I had little time to spend with him.

What would you say are the challenges of being a WAHM?

At first, time management. Since I opted not to get a house helper, I had to divide my time doing house hold chores, taking care of the kids, and working.  Another thing is that some jobs are project based so losing a job is likely. Also, small things like black outs and internet connection problems.

What are the three things you need to be a successful WAHM?

You would need a stable internet connection, a supportive husband, and dedication because it’s not smooth sailing at first.

What online job sites would you recommend to WAHM beginners?

Odesk and Onlinejobs.ph

What is a normal day for you?

Normally, I wake up at 6 in the morning to cook breakfast and get my son ready for school. I make the bed and do the dishes then, bathe and feed my 4-month old daughter, feeding her usually every 2 hours. After that, I turn on the computer and check if there are tasks pending in my email. At 10am I would prepare food for lunch and it usually lasts until supper. When my son arrives from school, we would eat together while doing his homework. Then I continue with any pending tasks on the computer. In the afternoon, I would put my son and daughter to sleep after playtime. When they wake up we would watch cartoons and eat dinner after. At 7 in the evening, it’s time again to put my children to sleep. I would get up at 9:30pm to teach English online until midnight. Then check again for pending task in my email and continue working for an hour or two. If there’s none, I would just prepare my son’s uniform and clean some clutter around the house.

How has being a WAHM changed your life?

It made me realize that being a full time mom is as hard as working in an office (meeting deadlines and the like) but not as rewarding and fulfilling.

Words of encouragement for wannabe WAHMs

Don’t stop believing. If I did it, you can do it too.