Life online is hard
When I tell people that I write, they are very interested. They ask who I write for. When I tell them I am an IC (independent contractor) for a company that contracts for an online website, I get the look. If you work from home on the internet, you know the look.
There are a lot of prejudice. It’s almost as if it is the Mommy Brigade trying to make good. Kind of makes me mad.
I am a relatively smart woman. I don’t mean to brag, but I score high on those intelligence test. I am a really good test taker. I choice to be home with my kids. But I also like being a productive part of society and being independent.
Earning an income online is not something I dabble in. It is my livelihood. Now ok I get it, it isn’t traditional. So what? When women started entering the corporate world that wasn’t traditional either, but now they are a force to be reckoned with.
And families… Why do I need to even go there? But yes I do. I have to admit I have a great family. My mom and dad think it’s cool that I make money online. They are always asking me what I am up to now and how much did I make doing such and such a project. And it is more than them following up on the money they invested in my education, (By the way Thanks guys! I love you!). They are interested and dare I say proud of me.
But some families… They are all, why don’t you go out and get a real job? You’ll never make a go of that. The one that really irks me is the family that puts a time line on success.
For starters what makes my job any less of a real job than someone who gets up and puts on a suit and drives downtown? I have deadlines, commitments and pay taxes. Granted I get to do it in more comfy clothes, but I still have them.
The second one, You’ll never make a go of it. Well there are 2 paths that this will lead down. The first be totally discouragement and giving up. The second being the I am going to do it to spite you attitude. Wouldn’t it be nice to have the love and support of family instead? The ones that say, “I know you can do it!”
The third, the dreaded time line. I know there are families that have financial commitments and can’t wait forever to have mom make a success of an online venture. But this is not a path set down in stone. Some successes take longer than others. Some lucky women find it over night. That is the exception, not the rule though!
Running a business online is hard work. It takes hours and hours of commitment. Networking, product development and other business related task. Sound familiar? Yeap just like the “real job”.
This post may be my soap box issue today, but there really is a point, honest!
If you want to work from home, be prepared. There are a lot of people out there that will look at you like you are an oddity from Mars. There are others who will give you nothing but slack and negative attitude. Then there are others who will give you their support through anything.
The thing is, if it is what you want stick to your guns! If you have to go out and get one of those other jobs to support your online venture, thats ok. Just keep your goals in mind. Know that you can make a success of it. Live your passion and your dream! You can do it, you can do anything you set your mind to!
Yep, those looks seem to go with the territory. Now I just shoot them a look back like, “Your poor creature for being chained to an unflexible lifestye!”.
Interestingly enough, those same people will generally ask me a short time later how they can do it, too. I secretly laugh like a maniac inside. They come around! =)
Comment by chele
January 15th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
Great post - I usually get the “isn’t that cute” type comments and the “oh great so we can come play all day” attitudes too… like because I “work” from home I don’t do have a real job.
Comment by Annette
January 15th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Ah yes the look (If you work from home on the internet, you know the look)! I get it all the time. What’s so ‘foreign’ to people about working at home on the internet that it deserves the look? I don’t give them the look when they tell me what they do…LOL.
Wonderful post! And like Chele said in her comment about those same people eventually coming around and asking how to do it - I find that too…LOL!
Comment by Tishia Lee
January 15th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Great post and this is a subject that is so near to my heart. My family does not get it. My husband thinks it’s a hobby, my mother always says she doesn’t trust the internet and the rest of my family all act like thy did not know the internet existed or that working from home was a possibility.
You know what I have learned to do, just show ‘em through actions. I don’t say a word unless they ask and when they do, I keep it very surface. No deep stuff for the work at home online doubters from me.
Comment by LaTara Ham-Ying
January 15th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
You struck a cord with me Judilynn, which you know I”m a writer too. I did not start out working from home as a writer, I started out as a ministry owner, Christian writer and speaker. I came home to pursue that ministry full time. The income didn’t come so I did what I had to to make money for my family. I love what I do..Ghostwriting is fascinating to me and I love to help other women because most of my clients are other WAHMs. I love that! I love the networking everything! I would not DO anything else. I also love to go out and speak and minister to girls and their moms. It’s my passion it brings me great joy. Most people LOOK at me very strange when I tell them I’m a WAHM. They don’t get it my family included. My parents put my higher priority and worth in an education (which by the way I have but I’m not finished w/ my Master’s) than anything. They also don’t “GET” how I make money so they aren’t full on board yet. I will say this, I am SOOOO very blessed with a husband who is 100% supportive. Last night at Bible study I listened to a couple of friends of mine who recently went home to be a SAHM and their husbands are either threatening them to go back to work or limiting them on their luxuries, and etc. No INTERNET was one of them I told my husband that guy must be insane!! I could not live without the internet and now my husband knows that the internet =MONEY! I could talk all day on this subject and the only reason it isn’t on my blog is my parents might read what I’ve said about them and be a wee bit angry. Trying to “keep the peace” if that’s at all possible. GReat post though girl!
Comment by Alyssa
January 15th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
Great post, Judi. I work from home full-time for Corporate America as a technical writer. I have a good salary, good benefits, flexible schedule, 401k, vacation, etc. In fact, up until last year, I was the bread winner of the family.
With all that said, I still get the questions and doubting looks from others… mainly from those who don’t understand technology and how I can possibly use a computer to work from home.
I admire all the self-employed work at home moms out there. Keep moving forward. Hang out with friends who will challenge you and motivate you to meet your goals. You can do it!
One day, I want to become a corporate dropout and be just like you.
Comment by Kim
January 15th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
These are issues most people, both men and women who work at home face no matter what their business is. I think it’s harder for women because we value what other think about us more and take their comments to heart!
Comment by Melody
January 15th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
Well said! I have tears in my eyes. Seriously! I hate it when I see women giving up because their family doesn’t support what they are trying to do.
Comment by Shannon Smith
January 15th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
Excellent post Judi!
And you know my thoughts on that.
Comment by Tammy
January 15th, 2008 at 7:22 pm
This is an excellent article Judi! Who says corporate America is the only way to making a living? Who says you can’t work from home a make a living and earn sometimes more than what another person makes working outside the home? I think people are all too judgemental and perhaps closed minded when it’s not a traditional way of earning a living.
Comment by Sophia
January 16th, 2008 at 1:36 am