I have been working from home since I stopped working in my father’s hardware biz in 2002. Back then, my dad and I discovered that it’s possible for me to work remotely with the use of a phone and the internet. I did not know it then but I was already working as his virtual assistant doing secretarial work, online research, contacting foreign suppliers and preparing documents for the company. However, I did not view this as real work, instead I just viewed it as something I did to help out.

We were already homeschooling then and my focus was on my children’s education. Then came this blog and reviewing products. I did a combination of these three for so many years without earning much income. The result: I learned about working online but had financial difficulties.

In 2011, I became pregnant with our 5th baby. It was not the optimal time for me to become pregnant. I was overweight and suffering from asthma. The doctor already warned us that I may give birth prematurely and that we have to be ready. We were living on a single income had very little savings so that we couldn’t choose a good hospital that had great preemie support. The priority back then was for us to find a hospital that we can afford.  On April 22, 2012, I gave birth prematurely to a lovely baby boy who would only live for eight weeks.

The childbirth it itself was already a harrowing experience. I was bleeding profusely – there was just so much blood – that before they took me inside the OR, my prayers were already for the family that I might leave behind, not anymore for myself. I had already accepted that God may be calling me home. I knew that if I should die, I’m sure I would go to Heaven but my husband and children will be left alone. Living through that experience brought about a big change in me. An even bigger change happened after my baby died.

After Zac died, I made the important decision to find work so that I can earn and help my husband. I became very determined that we can ensure the health, safety and future of our children. I no longer want to get to that point again when our child needed something and we couldn’t give it because we lacked the money. For years, I lived with the belief that I had to care for my children full time. To me this meant giving up my job and staying home to be with them. To be clear, I enjoyed taking care of and teaching our children but grief propelled me to ensure our children would have what they needed. I remember our pastor telling me, “Even if you are already working, that doesn’t change your basic nature as a mom.” Hearing that strengthened my resolve to find a job that will allow me to work from home.

Maybe for you, it isn’t so dramatic, this need to work from home. I know of at least two other WAHMs whose story is as dramatic as mine. I also know many WAHMs who made the decision to work from home because it’s the right thing to do for their families. I have yet to meet a mother who said that she regrets working from home.

As for myself, my family and I have benefited greatly from my work. For one year, I worked as a Social Media Analyst for Balsam Brands. When I started, I hardly knew anything about my job. But because I was driven to succeed, I soon learned the ropes of working in social media. I found my work fun and fulfilling. The pay was good, but the best benefit was the confidence I gained. After years of not working, I still experienced success.

Surely this isn’t an easy road to take but I have found camaraderie and have bonded with fellow WAHMs. Speaking of camaraderie and bonding with fellow WAHMs, I’ll be a panelist in an event that is especially dedicated to Work at Home Mommies (and Daddies). Manila Workshops and Wahmderful Life presents Wahmderful Weekend: The Heart and Hands of a Work-At-Home Mom.  This is a one-day celebration and learning event. If you have not yet signed up for it, now is the best time to do so because they are offering their tickets at a reduced price of P2,000.00 instead of P2,500 if you pay on or before Oct. 10, 2013. Go here for more info on this super savings.

How about you, dear friend and reader? Are you working from home now? Or are you contemplating it? What are your reasons? I would love to hear from you.

Michelle Padrelanan

Hello, I'm Michelle and I love to encourage others through my blog. I write about homeschool, books and family life. I enjoy testing out products and giving my honest opinion about it. If I'm not in front of my laptop, I can usually be found watching TV or having my favorite frappuccino at Starbucks with my favorite Mary Higgins Clark book.

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