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By Connie McKenzie
What is a WAHM?
At any given time in your life you may decide on becoming a work at home mom, or WAHM. You may have come across this acronym at some point while surfing on the net. A WAHM has decided not only to become a stay at home mom (SAHM) but a mom who has chosen to earn an income from home as well.
The Who
Naturally, any mother who has made this decision may be married or single with one or more children. She may possibly be the mother of a newborn or a more experienced mother of older children. Whoever she may be, she has decided that working from home is a far better option to working away from home.
The When
When a mother makes the decision to start working from home can occur at any time in her life. It could happen when she discovers that she is soon to be a mother. She may believe that it is to her advantage, as well as her child's, to find another solution for daycare. She may just decide that she has had enough, and wants to spend more time with her family, yet still wants to help in supporting the family.
The Why
Why a mother would consider becoming a work at home mom is due to many factors that are conceivably important to them. It could be the cost of travel in the commute to and from work, convenience, daycare, work hour flexibility, or the desire to care for her own children because she loves them and wants what is best for them. She may also just wish to start her own business because she has a passion or special talent in a particular area, which she wishes to share with others.
The Where
Yes, you are right, it's obvious; she would work in the home, but let's be more specific. For example, "Where in her home will she work?" Will she just need a little room somewhere in the house with a desk or will she require a more professional office in which she can meet her clients?
Wherever in the house she decides to have her office, she will want to be sure that the lines between business and home are not blurred. Many times, work at home moms allow children and toys to slowly creep into the workplace and this will inevitably interrupt her work. It is understandable, as the idea was to be able to spend more time with her children, however, it is important that she be able to concentrate on her work when it is necessary.
The How
There are countless business opportunities available for WAHM's. Some ideas include: selling products at home parties, running eBay auctions, selling products on websites or affiliate marketing just to mention a few. These suggestions are only the tip of the iceberg.
Keep in mind that WAHM does not just mean that it is for someone who chooses to be self -employed, some women would prefer the stability and security that working for someone else gives them. They may not wish to have to deal with the responsibility attached with being self-employed; she may then opt for a telecommuting position instead.
Whether she is a business owner or someone else employs her, it is essential that she portray a professional image to her clients or boss. Otherwise, her clients might not think that she is serious about her business and her employer might feel that she is slacking off.
With any luck, I can only hope that this overview of becoming a work at home mom will inspire some of you to take the initiative towards the satisfying experience of taking care of your children while at the same time providing your family with an income. Rather than jumping right in, you may choose to be cautious and try working from home only part-time at least until you are more sure of the right solution for your situation.
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