The "Joys" of Working at Home

The "Joy" of it....... well, I can tell you it is not the "dream" job everyone would think. Don't get me wrong, I am very fortunate to have been able to work for the last 9+ years in my PJ's and to be home with the boys while they were little, not to mention the money I saved on daycare. It takes a lot of self-discipline though, which in the last few years, I have found a hard time obtaining. Also, if you are sick, fall behind on production, or take a day off or vacation, you don't get paid if you are an independent contractor like me. Then, when you have a mortgage to pay, car payments, insurance, and the multitude of other bills to pay, you find yourself working late at night and on weekends to "catch up". I play "catch up" every day of every week it seems. Once both boys were in school, I found myself lonely here at home. Just me and the dogs, who don't carry on much conversation!! I explored the possibility of going back to work, actually craving a normal 8:00 to 5:00 and then being done with the work day; actually getting 1 hour to eat lunch, rather than grabbing an unhealthy snack here and there; having co-workers to share pictures and stories of my kids with; getting a vacation day or a sick day without having to "make it up". Then, came to the realization that I would be taking a pay cut to go back into an 8:00 to 5:00 job. So, that was not an option. I am still thankful for the flexibility and not having someone look over my shoulder. I just needed some adult time and to get out of the house, or else I was going to get totally burnt out on constantly being at home. So, then I explored the possibility of doing something part-time to get out of the house. Little evening part-time jobs were not worth the money to drive to the place of work, not to mention the schedules and how that would interfere with after-school activities for the boys, especially during baseball season. So, I ventured upon direct-selling companies. Something, I could work my own schedule and if I made some money at it - great; if not, at least I got to be out of the house and enjoying the company of other women. I came across a catalog for Thirty-One Gifts that my mother-in-law had given me, she had been to a party once. After doing some research, I signed up in November of 2007 and have really enjoyed this business. Not going to ramble much more in this blog, but will write in the next blog about how rewarding Thirty-One has been for me.

So, all-in-all, just wanted to write this blog to damper that the disillusion that working at home is like winning the lottery. It is not for everyone!!! I am fortunate to do it and count my blessings every day, but if I were to do it all over again, I am not sure I would be in the situation to write this blog today.

Have a Blessed Day!!