Finding out you’re about to be a parent can scary, more so when it wasn’t expected. You can read more about my journey into motherhood on my About page and in this post.
It wasn’t until my husband and I decided it would be best to move to South Florida and raise our family in the Sunshine State that it really hit me. I was going to leave behind everything I knew since birth. Family, friends, and the start of my career as an editor and marketer.
Related: Find out how to handle family life when your husband works long hours.
I had been working for a digital B2B publishing company for almost three years before heading down to Florida. It was a great place to grow and learn from those before me.
Transitioning To A SAHM
Although the move left me unemployed, I was determined to make something out of this new life. With the title of a stay-at-home mom (SAHM) framed across my forehead, I wanted more. In fact, I needed more.
My husband continued his career in finance and has been able to strive in South Florida. Great, right? He has always been a supportive husband with all my decisions, but I couldn’t say the same about myself.
During the first six months after our move, we bumped heads a lot. I cried often and didn’t like my new role. I felt stuck.
Wouldn’t you?
After working for years and being independent, I was now a SAHM. I felt like I was dumped into another part of the world and forced to figure things out. The truth is, that’s how it feels like when you’re a first-time parent. You’re given a new role and you feel the need to excel in it.
Much of my frustrations came from not knowing what to do with a six-month-old in a new place. I joined a lot of local mom groups and went to events to socialize our firstborn — and myself.
I had started Motherhood Through My Eyes before moving to South Florida and had a good following — mainly family and long-time friends — but it wasn’t until we made the move that I began to heavily focus on turning it into a hobby that would pay off (literally).
Making A Career Out Of Motherhood
Becoming a SAHM was a blessing in disguise. I just didn’t see it at first, but that feeling of being stuck was mental. I had a new place to explore and a little one who was learning about the world. I challenged my emotions by transitioning them into the feeling of curiosity. We could take on the world together, and that’s what we did. We took on the blogosphere. I researched ideas whenever our little guy was busy napping, coloring, or playing with his toys.
At first, we received a lot of hosted opportunities — non-paid opportunities for our family to enjoy free of charge. We attended local events and visited museums.
The funny thing about being a SAHM is that you never really stay home. You’re always out and about doing something.
Related: 7 Times I Almost Quit Blogging For Good
The more I asked questions, the more I learned. I combed through blog posts on ways to generate an income as a blogger. After months of research and two years of trial and error, I began freelancing for other bloggers, helping them with their campaigns as well as my own. I didn’t get as many campaigns at first, so it was nice to make extra income from helping others achieve their goals.
Today, I continue to use my blog as a business and have expanded helping businesses, as well as local bloggers, reach their target audience. Although I have a tough time considering what I do as “work”, most people would consider me a work-at-home mom (WAHM). It’s exciting to know that I can do what I’ve always loved — writing and developing marketing strategies — while hanging with my family.
Do you know someone who is a SAHM and needs a little inspiration to follow their dreams? Share this post with them!
43 responses to “How I Went From SAHM To WAHM”
It definitely can be a difficult transition. It’s all about learning when the best times to work on your blog and when not too. Time management is the big key to making it successful.
I nominated you for the Brotherhood of the World Blogger Award! You can check it out on my blog.
Thank you! I’ll be sure to check it out.
Yes! I have to agree with you, Julie. Time is what helps you become successful, and investing the right amount of time on the necessary things is what will help push you through the rough days.
Good luck with the transition. I’m sure you’ll do great. I’m a SAHM, but I write and will get paid for that, so I guess I’m sort of a WAHM. I love being available for my kids at all times. My son has autism, so sometimes he needs me.
What a lovely post. I have been a working mom and a stay at home mom and a work from home mom and t hey all have their pros and cons. All are challenging in different ways. I’m so happy you do what works for you.
I can imagine this post will be a great help for Mum’s thinking of doing the same thing. I think it is great now that you can choose to work from home.
I love this. You can choose to live the life you want, whatever you choose – Stay at home mom, work at home mom, work out of the home mom, or taking it day by day mom!
This is great advice for any mother who wants to learn how to work from home.
I’m glad you made it. I sometimes feel like you, like stuck and that I’m not making all I could do. I can’t imagine how it would be to become a parent. I think I like my freedom a bit to much. I do hope I will be able to start my own business.
I live alone so it was easy for me to become a WAHM. I can imagine it has a lot more difficulties when having to spread out time between kids, home, and working. Doing what you love makes it all worthwhile.
Way to go. Such an inspiring story of perseverance and strength. I know that whatever you touch, and whomever you help, is blessed. Keep up the great work as blogger – and Mama 💕
I love how you put you took on the world together! That is beautiful. A mother is a superhero in itself but the fact you are able to think outside the box and create something for both yourselves is absolutely inspirational! Kudos to you and your little one!
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