Stay-at-home Mom

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Genia Shipman on December 25, 2008 at 3:23pm

One thing I learned from Dan Miller is the importance of finding your passion first, then finding work to feed that passion.

You enjoy cooking, baking and crafting. Those are things you can do from home, which is good since your little one (cute!) looks pretty young. Your page says Tyler is a car salesman; maybe you could cater lunches for the dealership staff? My sister had a co-worker whose grandmother sold meat-and-three lunches once or twice a week; she had a set menu, took orders the day before and dropped everything off around noon. Or find people who might need birthday cakes and don't want to buy them from a store, or a teacher who wants to bring cupcakes for his/her class.

As for crafting, you could sell what you make, or maybe teach small classes. I know there are a number of crafty-type skills I would love to learn.

You've also studied journalism. Your local newspaper might need someone to write articles about the things you're interested in. The Nashville paper features a recipe or two every Wednesday, many of them from readers, and there's always a short article along with the recipe.

Good luck, Amber, and maybe you can become the Martha Stewart of Nebraska!

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Beth M. on January 2, 2009 at 1:41am

Hi!

Well, first off, I would definitely avoid doing any sort of phone call deals. Your little one looks pretty little, and you need something you can do and put down at a moment's notice. You wouldn't want to hang up on a customer, or have your little one crying or needing you while you are on the phone either...

That is great that you'll be graduating soon - do you ever get to sleep? LOL! A little one (which is a full time job in itself) and completing school - whew!

You sound very similar to me as far as interests, except for the cooking! Ha! I like to bake, but not so much on cooking. I was a journalism/English major in college, but music was my heartbeat - my first public solo was at age four, and I spent most of my life on a stage somewhere in some sort of group. Then hubby and I spent 20 yrs in lay ministry as well. We part ways though at the Martha Stewart comment. I used to be very anal-retentive on things, but know that our Lord has a great sense of humor - He blessed us with twins. I learned that it was a good day when everyone went to bed full and relatively clean. My obsession with order and details, like a perfectly set table or complete organization in every area of my life pretty much went out the window. I learned that there was more to life, and that no one would die if I didn't vacuum every day.

I would make a list of things you positively adore doing - we all have lists of things we enjoy, but what are your passions? The things that you'd do for free if you could afford to do it for free? The things that never seem like work? Those are your focus points. When things get hectic and you think you can't handle one more email, one more dinner, one more load of laundry, you'll need work that you adore to keep on keeping on...

You mentioned you love crafts - have you considered selling your craft products online? There are many places to sell. I have sold online since 2002, and tried a lot of various sites. eBay is the first thing most people think of, but it isn't as easy to make a profit there as it used to be - their fees and overall selling structure has changed a lot in the last year or so. Etsy is the premiere place (by reputation) for handmade goods. However, it is a cattle call unless you make something very unique. The site is great, but it leaves a lot to be desired on actually FINDING the things for sale! ; )

I've been very happy with a relative newcomer to the e-commerce scene, Atomic Mall. They built the site from the ground up, rather than try to adjust a boxed software package, and it was designed by ecommerce sellers. They know what the sellers (and buyers) want. They are a constant work in progress, but still a great place to check out. The stores are free to list up to 2000 items, with no fees unless the item sells. Then it is a very reasonable amount, averaging out to around 5% FVF.

Once you decide what you'd like to try your hand at doing from home, the real work will begin - researching and getting the name, setting up the proper licenses, software, record keeping etc etc. You'll want a domain name even if you don't want your own site yet, so you don't lose the option down the road.

Have you considered doing something like desktop publishing for people? What I was thinking about as I read your post, was that you might excel at putting together special cookbooks. You can get binding equipment for a fairly reasonable cost, and you'd need some special software (but nothing too outrageous) and an eye for detail. It sounds like you like to work with people, so that is a big plus. Also, as you grow, you could market yourself to area churches - many places we've attended have done cookbooks that they sell for fund raising purposes. Since you love to cook, you could spot any big discrepancies that others might not find. (How many times have you tried a recipe from a cookbook, only to find that it was missing an ingredient or important step in the directions? Grrrr!) Editing and page setups could be done during nap times, evenings or other spare blocks of time. You could even trade out sitting services with other moms, or a mommy's day out if you need a bigger block of time sometimes.

It sounds like you'd truly be an ideal fit for that - the journalism gives you the writing experience, your cooking gives you area expertise, and you obviously know how to use a computer. Your marketing degree means that you'll be great at finding ways to list your services! ; )

Everyone has to start somewhere - you could grow from small desktop work, into expanding to the garage, into eventually hiring people to help meet the need! This site has a lot of good information to give you an idea of what might be involved. Now, they plan on selling their services, but you can get the overall idea - http://www.familycookbookproject.com/faqs.asp.

Do you have any experience designing web pages? That is something you could work on from home as well, without necessarily having a hard-n-fast deadline.

I am sure someone with your energy levels will find a way to narrow down your options to the ones that appeal to you the most, and then go from there. Remember - you eat an elephant one bite at a time! : )

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Amber & Tyler Laffey on January 2, 2009 at 6:21pm

Thank you both for the suggestions. I think they are all great. I had thought of some of those ideas, but some are really new and fresh to me. I know there is hope, I just have to get motivated and started!

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by David Wilcoxson on January 7, 2009 at 10:37am

Hi Amber and Tyler,

One company you might look at is www.alpineaccess.com They are a premier provider of customer service solutions using home-based employees. You can work part-time, and you get setup on one account, so it's like you're acting as a customer support person for that company.

If you need to optimize your business skills to increase your earning ability, check out Brian Tracy's new www.iLearningGlobal.tv mastermind training community. The world's top trainers teach on leadership, teamwork, sales, marketing, time management, communication, etc... They show you how to save thousands on your taxes each year, so that you can hold onto your hard-earning money. Dan Miller recently joined the iLG Faculty to provide trainings.

They also have a personal referral program where you can earn additional income simply from inviting people to check out the training community. You can get more information at www.ilgmastermindteam.com/payitforward

Let me know how I can help you.

Blessings to you!

David Wilcoxson
iLG Founding Member
www.ilgtv.com
720-536-5350

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Julia Stewart on January 7, 2009 at 12:44pm

I had the same experience as you. I tried network marketing but also realized that that was not a fit for me. I love marketing and sales, just not that kind.

Through Dan's podcast, I discovered how to take my passion for drying flowers and making wreaths and arrangements into a business that I can do at home. Today, my husband and I have a gardening web site that helps others and I can teach others how to do crafts through pictures and videos.

If you have studied journalism, you must enjoy writing. This work model may be a good fit for you.
You can check out our web site at http://www.flowers-plants-gardening-advice.com/
On the "About Us" page you will find a link about how we used Site Build It to build our web site.

Since you have many interest, you may want to check out this link too. http://www.becoming-an-infopreneur.com/

I would love to hear your thoughts!
Julia
stewart7057@comcast.net

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Megan on January 8, 2009 at 8:43am

Hi Amber,

I am new here too. I also enjoy cooking and crafting. My local community college is offering an online class "Start Your Own Arts and Crafts Business" Take a look here: http://www.ed2go.com/cgi-bin/oic3/newcrsdes.cgi?name=iavalley&c... I don't know if you have to be an Iowa resident to enroll or not. But maybe something is available in your area that is similar.

This is something that I am looking into. I'd like to make crafts to sell as well as bloging about crafting. So those are two areas that I want to learn more info about. Just a couple of ideas...

Best Wishes!
Meg

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Amber & Tyler Laffey on January 10, 2009 at 6:27pm

Wow! Thanks! I am impressed with your website. The other website looked like a lot of great information! I am glad that you and your husband could create an online business you are both passionate about. I can't wait until I have 25 years of gardening experience. I have one so far!! I'll get there!

julia said:

I had the same experience as you. I tried network marketing but also realized that that was not a fit for me. I love marketing and sales, just not that kind.

Through Dan's podcast, I discovered how to take my passion for drying flowers and making wreaths and arrangements into a business that I can do at home. Today, my husband and I have a gardening web site that helps others and I can teach others how to do crafts through pictures and videos.

If you have studied journalism, you must enjoy writing. This work model may be a good fit for you.
You can check out our web site at http://www.flowers-plants-gardening-advice.com/
On the "About Us" page you will find a link about how we used Site Build It to build our web site.

Since you have many interest, you may want to check out this link too. http://www.becoming-an-infopreneur.com/

I would love to hear your thoughts!
Julia
stewart7057@comcast.net

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kim Godsey on January 11, 2009 at 1:11pm

When I was home, I saw that I enjoyed cooking. I also saw that I was very unique for my knowledge to actually know how to cook from scratch. So I began a cooking class at our church's school. The junior high and high school classes that I taught enjoyed coming in to sample.
When baking, I also used this as an opportunity to teach life skills. Example: I made brownies.
When they came in to class, I handed out their brownies. As they ate them, I explained that only the best ingredients were used; unbleached white flour, wonderful chocolate, butter... and just a bit of dog poop!
Stopping midway to their mouths, the kids groaned.
"What?" I exclaimed. "Germs are killed at 210* and the brownies were baked higher temps and were fine... just adds texture" I added mischievously.
Then I admitted that there wasn't any doggie do in the brownies.
"But why was that upsetting?" I asked. "Do you have standards for what you will eat? So if there was no harm for a little doggie do, and you WOULD NOT touch the brownies, I want you to think of that next time there is a temptation to do 'just a little bit of rebellion' or just 'a little bit of making out or porn...' give my brownies a thought.

"Those things WILL harm you. While the brownies really won't. So when you are tempted and pressured by those around you, just tell them, 'I don't eat that in my brownies' and walk away."

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Amber & Tyler Laffey on January 11, 2009 at 7:28pm

You know I was thinking about teaching others how to cook and bake. How did you get into your church's school? Did you go in and tell them your idea? I am worried about doing things at a church because they may just expect you to volunteer your time, which I wouldn't mind doing, but would defeat the purpose of earning an extra income. The other thing I am concerned about is my age. I am still in my 20's and probaby don't look at that experienced, but I am surprised by the amount of people my age who don't even know basic cooking techniques. That's why I tried selling Pampered Chef for awhile, but I just didn't want to beg people to have shows where I earned a small amount of commission.
What are your thoughts?

Kim Godsey said:

When I was home, I saw that I enjoyed cooking. I also saw that I was very unique for my knowledge to actually know how to cook from scratch. So I began a cooking class at our church's school. The junior high and high school classes that I taught enjoyed coming in to sample.
When baking, I also used this as an opportunity to teach life skills. Example: I made brownies.
When they came in to class, I handed out their brownies. As they ate them, I explained that only the best ingredients were used; unbleached white flour, wonderful chocolate, butter... and just a bit of dog poop!
Stopping midway to their mouths, the kids groaned.
"What?" I exclaimed. "Germs are killed at 210* and the brownies were baked higher temps and were fine... just adds texture" I added mischievously.
Then I admitted that there wasn't any doggie do in the brownies.
"But why was that upsetting?" I asked. "Do you have standards for what you will eat? So if there was no harm for a little doggie do, and you WOULD NOT touch the brownies, I want you to think of that next time there is a temptation to do 'just a little bit of rebellion' or just 'a little bit of making out or porn...' give my brownies a thought.

"Those things WILL harm you. While the brownies really won't. So when you are tempted and pressured by those around you, just tell them, 'I don't eat that in my brownies' and walk away."

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Joanne Miller on January 11, 2009 at 9:40pm

Amber, I want to respond to the email you sent Dan (below):

Hi Dan. Thanks for the shout out on the weekly update. I did get some great advise and I am throwing it all around in my head! Is it possible that one's real calling and work in life is being a mother and wife? I feel that since I was a child my goals have been just that and I have never had a dream career in mind or ever driven my a "great paying job". Anyways, thanks again and hopefully I will get even more ideas to help out with our family's income!

Amber..........The best advice my mother ever gave me was, "If you don't go to college for any reason other than to meet a good guy, it is a good place to meet one!" and I met Dan on the FIRST day at OSU. From the day we got married almost 41 years ago I have wanted no career more than being a wife and mother. And I am a firm believer that this is my most important career. No matter what age your children are, they never outgrow their need or desire for good parenting. I could really get on my soapbox about this big time! Far too much pressure has been placed on mothers to work outside the home and I believe adamantly that our country is suffering because of this. I make no apologies for my stance on this and no doubt anger some women who are more liberal on this issue than I. I speak and write about "Creating a Haven of Peace............ in a Broken World" and believe me, to do that is a full-time job. There are many things you can do from home to help financially but more importantly, the support, love and encouragement you give your spouse and children is far more important than keeping up with the neighbors and having more "stuff". We spent many years living on a shoestring, home schooling the kids, driving cars that we had to pray got us to our destination and wearing clothes from Goodwill or that I made myself. Trust me...........we created treasured memories in the process and we lived through it gracefully. Our amazing grown children are a testiment to our home life and the love we have had as a couple. That wasn't accomplished without hard work...........and my home was my full-time job. I felt led to tell you this in hopes you find encouragement. Blessings, Joanne

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Theresa on January 12, 2009 at 7:41am

Ya know Amber, since Joanne started down this road...I'm going to add my yiddle ole opinion here. I read your thread yesterday and Joanne echoes what my initial thoughts were. (That's a sweet baby, btw.)

My last regular job ended late into my pregnancy with my now 14-year-old. Hubby and I decided long before the kids arrived that I would stay home no matter what the cost...even if it meant a diet of top ramen and beans.

Could we be farther head down the road financially right now if I had worked? (I was a nurse, btw.) You betcha! But my heart was in the home. I wanted to rock my babies and not be stressed about heading out the door at a certain time or the many other distractions that come with a job....even if it's a freelance gig.

When Jay and I consider my contributions to the home, I don't think a paycheck would have come close. Yeah...we're driving old (but paid for) vehicles....my wardrobe stinks...and right this very moment, I have a pot of dried beans soaking for tonight's meal.

What I just described would make some women absolutely scream but I'd do it in a heart beat and twice on Sunday because even when I'm tearing my hair out...I LOVE BEING WITH MY KIDS! I love that they can have my whole heart for the short period in their lives that we're blessed to have them.

Don't mean to preach at you Amber...just wanted to share my heart with you. There truly is no higher calling than to be a mom. Enjoy your baby---they really and truly grow up to fast (even though it doesn't feel like that at 2 in the morning. ;) )

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kim Godsey on January 12, 2009 at 7:57am

NO QUESTION!
I have 5 sons. I was able to stay home with them. Fruit? No real rebellion, great relationships with each and 1. First son is in law school 2. Second son has been to Pakistan and Myanmar on mission trips with great benefit 3. Third son is finishing his journalism degree with a wonderful resume' as editor of paper, etc. 4. Fourth son is senior in high school and knows 4 languages 5. Surprise! I have a 10 yr old.... and am grateful for him, even with the 18 years between he and #1.
One marriage and gratitude from my children for that. I home schooled 15 years and I think I learned the most.
If I had it to do over? No change! Sacrifice for material stuff and stay home to the best of your ability. You and the baby will never regret it... even on those (wonderful) 'pull out hair days'!

Theresa said:

Ya know Amber, since Joanne started down this road...I'm going to add my yiddle ole opinion here. I read your thread yesterday and Joanne echoes what my initial thoughts were. (That's a sweet baby, btw.)

My last regular job ended late into my pregnancy with my now 14-year-old. Hubby and I decided long before the kids arrived that I would stay home no matter what the cost...even if it meant a diet of top ramen and beans.

Could we be farther head down the road financially right now if I had worked? (I was a nurse, btw.) You betcha! But my heart was in the home. I wanted to rock my babies and not be stressed about heading out the door at a certain time or the many other distractions that come with a job....even if it's a freelance gig.

When Jay and I consider my contributions to the home, I don't think a paycheck would have come close. Yeah...we're driving old (but paid for) vehicles....my wardrobe stinks...and right this very moment, I have a pot of dried beans soaking for tonight's meal.

What I just described would make some women absolutely scream but I'd do it in a heart beat and twice on Sunday because even when I'm tearing my hair out...I LOVE BEING WITH MY KIDS! I love that they can have my whole heart for the short period in their lives that we're blessed to have them.

Don't mean to preach at you Amber...just wanted to share my heart with you. There truly is no higher calling than to be a mom. Enjoy your baby---they really and truly grow up to fast (even though it doesn't feel like that at 2 in the morning. ;) )

▶ Reply to This

▶ Reply to This

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• Next ›
• Page