Transitioning from a Teacher to a Work at Home Mom

Transitioning from a teacher to a work at home mom was and is still a huge life change that I’m figuring out daily. I wanted to be a mom for forever. I played with dolls as a kid and always imagined what it would be like to have my own real life, human baby. But being a work at home mom never seemed like something I wanted to do. I loved teaching my kindergarteners and they felt like my kids as well. Teaching was my comfort zone and something I was good at.

When I had my baby, Beckham, everything changed. When I was on maternity leave, I knew in my heart that I wasn’t going back to teaching. Although it was a tough choice to walk away from teaching, I wanted to be the one to stay home and raise my baby. And I’m very fortunate to have this opportunity, one I don’t take for granted.

Work at Home Mom Schedule

Just like how I had a routine as a teacher, I knew the only way I was going to be able to still work while raising a baby was to have a schedule. I learned very early that you can never count on naps as a time to get stuff done (however, I am super fortunate that Beck sleeps so well!)

SO, I decided that getting up very early, before my baby wakes up was going to be my work time and naps would hopefully equal out the other few hours I needed to keep up with a part time job. (I work with my family real estate and property management company now and also do health and fitness coaching on the side.) And even though waking up around 4:30 isn’t always easy, being able to stay home with my baby makes it worth it.

My schedule as a work at home mom:

Wake up between 4:20 and 4:45
Make coffee (duh, it’s early)
Start Today Journal to start my day with gratitude and goal setting
Work from around 5 – 7
Beck gets up around 7 for a bottle/food, playtime and a workout for me
Nap time around 9:30
Shower, breakfast and work from 9:30 – 11
Beck gets up for another bottle/food, playtime
Nap time around 1:30
Work from 1:30 – 3
Beck gets up for another bottle/food, bath, playtime
During playtime or when my husband comes home (around 5) I make dinner
Beck gets his last bottle around 6 and goes to bed at 6:30
After we eat, if I need to work a little more or tie up any loose ends, I do it while we watch TV and try to unplug by 8 to spend time with my husband and rest and recharge. I will confess that unplugging is hard for me but is a goal to be better at!

This is our schedule as Beckham is 9 months. I’m sure it will change as he gets older and transitions to one nap but for now it works for us and hopefully gives you an idea if you’re in a similar life stage. (Which if you are, I’d love to connect either on here or social media!)

Tips for a Work at Home Mom

Being a work at home mom is hard! It’s really two full time jobs to raise a baby and have a career all while trying to keep the house together and put dinner on the table. So first off, you’re a rockstar just being you! Here are some tips I’ve found that have really helped me as I’ve transitioned to being a WAHM.

Find a Community

When you stay at home, you’re working on your own and your normal coworkers have been replaced by a tiny human who doesn’t talk yet. This can get very lonely! Find a community to be apart of. Does your city have a local moms group? Is there a mom and baby class you can join? Can you meet an online community of women? Having a community of other ladies you can connect with and chat with makes staying at home less lonely and helps you feel like a real human and not just “mom” all the time!

Get Outside

It’s important to get outside of your house (I aim for at least 3 times a week). Now, I’m a homebody and this works for me but you may need more time to get out! Something I’ve learned is to do errands with my baby. When he was little, I’d wear him. Now, I plop him in the cart. He loves it too because it’s new things to look at!

Do Something for YOU Each Day

This is SO important. You’re a mom. You’re working. You might be a wife or a girlfriend. You’re a family member. You get pulled in a million directions and as women we give, give, give. You can’t pour from an empty cup. So to be the best you for everyone around you, you need to fill your cup up too! What is something you enjoy doing? Schedule it in! This way, you know it’ll get done. You’ll feel better, excited, more energetic and therefore, you’ll be able to be there for everyone around you.

Set Work Hours

When you come up with a routine and schedule that works for you and the season of life you’re in, set work hours. This means, during those hours (or pockets of time) you know that it’s not time to do the laundry or cleaning or chores. It’s time to work. This is a big one and is something still so hard for me because when I’m home, I want to do house stuff too. Set work hours and stick to them so your business doesn’t take a side seat.

Include Baby

Depending on how old your baby is, include them in whatever you’re doing! THIS is a great time to do things around the house. I love to give Beck some tupperware to play with on the floor in the kitchen, while I either cook, do the dishes or tidy up. He loves playing with new things and I talk to him about what I’m doing. We do the same with the laundry or cleaning up other parts of our home! Even though it may feel boring to you, they’re getting to experience something new and learning in the process!

Personal Development

Something that has helped my mindset is listening to personal development books and podcasts. Being a mom is hard. Working at home is also hard. You are going to go through ups and downs as you transition and figure out what works for you and your season of life. Your mindset is so important in helping you not only think positively but also how you show up as a person in this world. Personal development has tremendously changed my view on the world and what kind of person I am striving to be.

Stay at Home Mom Jobs

If you want to be a stay at home mom and also work, here are some jobs you can pursue either as a full time or part time position.

Your company may have an opportunity for you to work from home.

Virtual health and fitness coaching. If you’re interested in this, I’d love to chat with you about what I do and joining my team!

Selling online through Etsy or if you’re a teacher, TeachersPayTeachers.

Blogging – make money through affiliate marketing

Transition to Work at Home Mom

Are you transitioning to a work at home mom? I’d love to connect either here or on Instagram @daniellemgodfrey. What has been most helpful for you in your transition?