What is Your Driving Force? -Guest Blog Post

Updated on: by Jess Weaver
Weaver
Jess Weaver and Her Family

Shouldn’t a woman with a degree in teaching be in the classroom? Until I had my second son five months ago, all I ever wanted was to be a teacher. I was a 2010 graduate with my degree in Elementary Education and nothing was going to stand in the way of my dream! We had learned how to balance a life with three people, but now four? Our two year old is wild and rambuxtious and our newborn is so sweet and innocent- and I was going to miss every bit of that going back to work outside of the home. So this is where my journey started…

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A few months ago I started wondering about work at home jobs. I had heard of them before but I wasn’t sure of the legitimacy and if they were real. Facebook has a search bar and I simply typed in “work at home.” Miranda’s Facebook page popped up and I started doing research from there. This blog post isn’t a plug for Miranda because frankly her wisdom speaks on its own. Instead this is the story of a mom who wanted something so badly and went after it. It was almost an addiction to wake up every morning and start applying for work at home jobs. Often times you may not hear back from a place. So the morning I heard from OnPoint, I was so thrilled! I wasn’t a 100% sure what the company was about but it sure excited me. I am currently working for them and I get so excited about the work. Honestly, this job gives me a sort of adrenaline rush that I can’t explain. Onpoint is great but it’s not permanent so I started looking around and I have found a few writing jobs. I love the term “try to have many eggs in your basket.” So right now I am in the process of hatching my eggs and building a basket.

Why did I decide to work from home? My reason is very simple, my children. I want to help financially provide for them but I also want to be there when they are sick or hurting. Working from home doesn’t make me a perfect Mom, but it does make me a DETERMINED mom. I have had to learn to balance a job that doesn’t allow for many distractions with 2 children that require every ounce of my energy. Sometimes they nap on schedule and often times they don’t. While I enjoy working from home, I have learned to balance sanity and disaster. I have a long road ahead of me but my kids make the journey all worthwhile. Props to the CEO mom bringing in 5,000 dollars a month for her children if that is what works for her. But what works for me is letting my 2 year old hug me whenever he needs it and nursing my 5 month old on demand. At the end of this life our children are going to be what matters; not money.

With that said; I have been able to make enough money to help us pay our bills and student loans. Life is good and I will continue to look for that “perfect” work at home job. For now I’m settling for several eggs in my basket, and loving every minute of it.

Blessings,
Jess

Interested in contributing a guest blog post to WAH Adventures? Contact Me

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Comments

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Reen

May 26, 2011 at 6:59 pm

“At the end of this life our children are going to be what matters; not money.” I love thing point, Jess! It’s a good, strong reminder. Great post. 🙂

Jess

May 26, 2011 at 7:51 pm

You are right! It is a good reminder and we all need that from time to time 🙂

Anna

May 26, 2011 at 7:00 pm

My kids are why I became so determined to earn money at home, too. I just kept looking and looking and finally found enough stuff to do to keep me here, which is where I feel I belong. I like being able to be here when my boys need me and not having to beg for time off from work if they’re sick or have something going on with school. Being a work at home mom is so rewarding in so many ways, but also a struggle at times trying to figure out how to juggle it all. Excellent post! I can really relate.

Jess

May 26, 2011 at 7:51 pm

Well, you are doing an amazing job! Day’s like today are a struggle..one is wide awake and 2 are sleeping…LOL!

MichelleC

May 26, 2011 at 7:12 pm

Awesome article…sounds like you know what you want and go for it. Kudos to you for being a WAHM and remembering that your children need you as much as the bills need your money 😉

Jess

May 26, 2011 at 7:52 pm

It has been soooo awesome getting to know you!

Gwynne

May 26, 2011 at 7:16 pm

For most of my marriage, I was a stay-at-home mom. When I saw my marriage breaking down, I knew I needed to find work; if he left, I’d have to support myself. So I started looking for work at home. Glad I did! Two weeks after landing a wonderful transcription contract, he moved out! I’ve branched out since then, doing a whole lot of things, and am now moving into starting a business doing readings, but I wouldn’t trade working at home for anything. Because I can be there for my son. I don’t have to worry about a boss firing me for calling in because I had to spend a weekend in the hospital with my son (been there, done that!) I don’t have to hope that I’m granted a day off for my son’s talent show. I can just shift my schedule and it’s all good.

mirandag55225

May 26, 2011 at 7:23 pm

Yes! I love that we have so much control over our situation. Props to you for stepping up and taking control!

Jess

May 26, 2011 at 7:52 pm

I too have sons :-)) Loves of my life and my hubby too. I wish every woman could have my husband (most of the time) LOL.

Bailey

May 26, 2011 at 9:20 pm

“Aren’t teachers supposed to be in the classroom.” Actually that is an important point to address about WAH. In many places, there are far more teachers than classrooms today. Teachers need alternatives to be able to find work that can support themselves and their families when traditional work in their field is not available. It is not just an option for those who have kids and choose not to go back to the classroom.

Whether you are a WAHM or a WAH former teacher having the freedom to work from home is amazing. When I look for B & M jobs many employers are afraid I will flee back to teaching as soon as I find a new teaching job. I have not had that reaction when searching for WAH employment. Those of us who are looking to work from home have our reasons.

Our skills in research, organization, working with varieties of people, thinking fast on our feet, and too many skills to be named here can be applied to a variety of opportunities. We just need to find the ones that work for us.

Jess

May 26, 2011 at 9:26 pm

Exactly. I love teaching but I love my kiddos. Have you found any successful jobs for teachers, Bailey?

Bailey

May 26, 2011 at 9:59 pm

I still have not found the perfect fit. With the Google hit writing is becoming more challenging. I did some political writing in the last election for an out of state candidate and I would love to find a way to do more of that. It really is an ideal WAH position. With technology and shoe string budgets for local and state level candidates, having someone who works as from their own home is all most can afford. There is LOTS of competition so we will see if I have the talent.

I stayed away from the more traditional avenues of tutoring. I did research the positons, but the formats were not a good fit for my needs.

I do think that this is a time for current and former teachers to come together and discuss employment alternatives. No job is ever secure and I know many employed teachers who are looking for ways to earn extra money that does not take them out of the home. One advantage of starting that conversation is passing along ideas and even job leads. I started earning money writing because someone suggested a folder on WAHM that I had never found. Without that hint I may never have found work. That person did not like writing, but it was a start for me. Teachers do understand the skills involved with our former profession and can see how specific jobs would relate well to those with the skills.

Angie

May 26, 2011 at 10:24 pm

Best of luck online! Work at home is a great journey. Always keep moving up and forward.

Tanya

May 26, 2011 at 11:30 pm

You brought up an important point which is balance, so many of us moms forget how important it is to balance it all and not get off track. Going to share with all my friends ASAP!

Jacqueline

May 26, 2011 at 11:53 pm

Life is full of decisions that we have to make. I was faced with a similar decision when I started having children. I agree with one of the previous commenter that your post “At the end of this life our children are going to be what matters; not money.” summed up how many of us feel.

I wish you luck and great success in all of your endeavors.

Jess

May 27, 2011 at 1:07 am

Thanks for taking the time to read the guest blog Jacqueline!

Stephanie

May 27, 2011 at 12:45 am

Great post!!

Jess

May 27, 2011 at 1:34 am

Thanks, Stephanie?

LaDonna

May 27, 2011 at 2:48 am

Great article. I’m glad you’re finding what you need to stay at home. I’m lucky enough to have a great boss that allows me to work from home a couple of days a week. . . I couldn’t imagine having to put my little one in daycare every day.

Katie Jones

May 27, 2011 at 4:48 am

I wish you the best of success in your journey to finding work at home.
Your reason behind your mission is great and because of your spirit and amazing attitude, your journey will not take you long!