I find it interesting the number of people who seem to think that just because I’ve had a baby (three in fact) I don’t have a brain anymore, that I obviously left it in the delivery room. I don’t understand why anyone would think that entrepreneurs who happen to work from home work any less harder then those working in a cubicle.
Kathie Thomas has written an excellent book called “Worth more than Rubies” which I feel more then sums up why I choose to own my own home based business.
She recently asked me my opinion and experiences of working when pregnant. My response to her was:
I started my Virtual Assistant (VA) business 34 weeks pregnant with my third child. Yes some people would see this as crazy and illogical but for me it was the best decision for me and my family.
Having been in the position of starting a new job and then finding out I was pregnant with my second child, I found it very difficult to hide my pregnancy due to severe morning sickness. Ultimately after 4 short months I was ‘let go’ and even though I felt it was due to my pregnancy I could never prove it. The changes your body go through are something to be celebrated, we are creating life and yet some women still feel the need to hide their pregnancies from their employer. All just to save their jobs. Working from home ensured that I wouldn’t have to disclose my pregnancy to anyone unless I wanted to.
With my third pregnancy I was diagnosed with Polyhydraminos which basically means there was too much amniotic fluid around my daughter Matilda. So instead of having the usual litre of fluid, I had THREE. I was so large and the stress on my body was unbearable with the stress beginning at 24 weeks. I looked full term at 24 weeks and I was unable to drive my Magna (with the seat all the way back). I had to beg my darling mother in law to come and help me just get through the day and to help me get my boys to school each morning. The one place I didn’t experience difficulties was my home office. Why? Because I set it up ergonomically correct and with my pregnancy in mind when we built the house a few months beforehand.
Being a home based business meant that on my ‘off’ days I controlled when I worked and for how long. I can also tell you it came as a surprise to my clients when I announced my maternity leave. “What!! You’re pregnant??? How did this happen??” Erm, in the usual way the last time I checked, thanks!
Being able to select who I announced my pregnancy to was a definite bonus as not all clients appreciated that I could still complete the work to the same high level of quality. I didn’t leave my brain in the labour ward with my first baby and so I choose to work and own my VA business. Being invisible meant I could share my pregnancy with those who mattered – my family, friends and valued clients.
So share with me how you deal with people judging you for having a home based business. Have you found it more difficult to obtain funding for your business or perhaps suppliers were less eager to come on board? How do you choose to deal with this type of situation? Do you proudly wear your work at home status or do you hide it?
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh wow, look at what I just found. http://blogs.wsj.com/independentstreet/2007/10/08/working-from-home-is-the-stigma-real-especially-for-moms/
See.. I’m not the only one who thinks like this.
Thanks Kylie. Crikey, what would people think about me? Mother of 5 daughters and all! Personally I get much more done here in my home office than anywhere else. I love the peace and the solitude, I allow time for my kids when they’re in the house but I get heaps of time alone – and when they were little I just structured my time around their sleep or school hours so I could work in peace. And email is not noisy like the phone!
Hi Kylie. I find that businesses – sole traders / companies -anyone I’m working with or are potentially about to work with are usually quite fine with me working at home and around children. In fact the majority of them think it’s amazing and a wonderful way to be able to work. If they don’t understand or if they want more of a commitment (set hours during the day – then I refer them to another VA).
I also make it quite clear what I can do and can’t (don’t answer phone calls with kids at home for example). Plus I have particular days that the kids are in day care all day and I try to make the most of those days. If they have urgent work to do and the kids are at home, then I try my best but they are all very aware of those “good working days” and then the days that aren’t so good for working.
My problem is more family – they don’t understand why I’m working at home and for myself and if I must work – why don’t I get an office job for a couple of days to get me out of the house.
Time management is very difficult with little ones and I find I’m distracted easily (house always a mess) but when they are home I try not to work (besides for sneaking in emails here and there). LOL
I will never go back to a corporate job – I love what I do and the industry I’m now a part of. This is me forever!!
I also think it takes a certain kind to what to work from home -you need commitment and a lot of passion, determination and motivation to be able to do it and stick to it. For some an office job is easier – they come home and work is left at work.
Hi Kylie,
I have to agree that I often feel like I have to justify what I do and even after 2.5 years still need to explain to family and friends that I do work! It’s easier to usually just tell people I work for myself in event management (one of the industries I was in and still provide support for). However, other mum’s (especially self employed ones) understand what it takes at least.
The only thing I think is harder about working from home than going to work is the discipline not to work, especially nights and weekends. And making and answering phone calls with little ones around but I just don’t offer that kind of service and I wait until my son is sleeping to make calls to clients, etc.
Also, I don’t know where you guys find the time to do all the extra stuff you do! Even though I have always considered myself extremely organised I never seem to have time to do any additional stuff like researching and developing my business, etc. (was actually looking into search engine optimisation & thought I’d see who comes up in google searches for virtual assistants and found you!) but I think this is more attributed to family life than being self employed.
I too started up when I was about 30+ weeks pregnant with my first child and am currently pregnant with my second child and there’s no way I will ever go back to working for someone else. We are currently building our house with a custom home office (with a corner play area for new baby) and I can’t wait!
And I agree, I get far more done at home even with the distractions then I would in an office…. And thank goodness for ACS!
{ 1 trackback }