Generations ago, staying home with the kids meant a life of housework and homework. Today, it’s likely to include conference calls, invoicing and paychecks, as more women discover the perks of being a work-at-home mom.
If you’ve been considering starting your own home-based business, here are seven important tips to keep in mind.

Find the right job as a WAHM
If you already have a career in mind, or your current boss has agreed to a telecommuting arrangement, then lucky you! But if you’re not sure what sort of at-home job to pursue, do some research to find a good match for your interests and skills. Websites such as HBWM are excellent resources for “mompreneurs.”
Among the many home-based business options available today are virtual call center and office assistant jobs, social media management, catalog sales, blogging and data entry. Or consider turning a hobby you love, such as photography or jewelry making, into a career.
Beware of scams
Steer clear of any company that asks for an up-front fee (although virtual call centers do require a small payment for background checks). Work-at-home expert Christine Durst, co-founder of Rat Race Rebellion, also warns against clicking links on Facebook threads from people promising business opportunities (“Earn $7,000 a month!”). These are usually recruiters from shady pyramid scheme companies.
Know the costs of being a Woman-entrepreneur
Depending on your line of work, you’ll probably need to invest in supplies such as shipping materials or software upgrades. Do your homework before you begin to make sure your new job won’t break your budget. If your start-up costs are high, look into options such as small business loans or even a crowdfunding campaign.
And it may take a while before you see a profit, so set aside enough savings to see you through the lean times. “There’s a real misconception out there that you can slap up a blog or start doing direct sales and money will pour in,” says Kelly Land, founder of Money Making Mommy.
“Ask yourself: Can I do this around my current job so I’ll still have an income, or is there another source of income to keep us going while I do this?”
Take your job seriously
Just because you’re not putting on high heels in the morning doesn’t mean you’re not working. Set regular hours and stick to them, even if it means letting the housework slide or putting a “Do Not Disturb” sign on your home office door.
Have a child care plan to support your success
While the point of being a WAHM is being there for your kids, it still pays to have a good support system just in case. A trusted sitter, loving grandparents or a reliable friend can be a lifesaver when you’re dealing with deadlines and a restless toddler all at once.
Be prepared to lose sleep
Between work responsibilities and kids’ activity schedules, many work-at-home moms find that their work day is a lot longer than the eight-hour norm. “Getting up before everyone and staying up later was the only way I could stay on track and get things accomplished,” says Land. “A lot of times, I’d just nap when the kids did.”
Find time to unwind
Running a business and a family can be stressful, so don’t forget to put some me time in your day. “For me, gaming is how I relieve stress,” says Land. “I have one friend who goes out and weeds when things get crazy, and another who can’t live without her weekly facial. The key is to find an activity that takes your mind away from your work.
You are in control to transform your life. Organizing your day in a certain way, giving yourself enough sleep and celebrations during the day will empower and support your success in your home business.
Shana Aborn is a former editor at Ladies’ Home Journal and MAMM. She has also written for Parents, Working Mother, Family Circle, and BettyConfidential.com. Shana is the managing editor of Life & Beauty Weekly.
29 thoughts on “7 Tips to Being a Successful Work-at-Home Mom aka WAHM”
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I am a WAHM and I couldn’t agree more! You definitely need to put on your “mental heels” for regular business hours. Thanks also for sharing the resources in 1. Some are new to me 🙂
Oh gosh! I think I need to print this out! Every bit of this is absolutely true! I don’t think I’ve had a restful day since we started our business but I know it will all be worth it!
Great list. Those annoys advertisements you see around Facebook promising people a way to make great income from home really frustrate me. They are completely unfair to those who inquire, because they rely on the desperation of individuals, all so they can take advantage of them! Like anything, nothing in life comes free, and it’s important to take all aspects into consideration and find what works best for you in your situation. Working at home is great in that it offers more time with your family, and you’re generally around if there’s an emergency, too!
These are such great tips! I have recently started focusing on making my blog more of a business so that I can quit my part time job and those tips are spot on!
great info to share really useful tips and warnings to prepare people!
We’re just starting our blog but find our initial results discouraging. We’re on track to making a whole 1.50$ in our first month, and that’s gross not net. Thanks for sharing this information!
I work at home for a large company. I love having a home office but I need to remind myself to go out for walks and get fresh air, It is so easy to spend the day working and forgetting to step away and relax.
You have shared some amazing tips. I’m going to share them with my VA’s. I do love the unwind and think it is so important for yourself, your job and your family.
Great working at home tips. I’ve a had telemarketing job with calls coming into my home for a few years and it can be quite lucrative, but stressful too. I definitely need a break during the day to get de-stressed.
Great tips. I only work from home occasionally, mostly if my son is ill, but it’s definitely a balancing act
I have been thinking about starting a home based business. These are all great tips. I am in the process of completing step number 1.
This are great tips and I steer clear of investing. I believe in the saying if its too good to be true it probably is.
I’m my own worst distraction honestly. I have a hard time MAKING myself sit down, work, and stay on task.
This is great advice and i need to work on a few of these. I do not have reliable childcare. I don’t have relatives to watch my kids while I work from home and while we do weekly play dates with other kids for socialization, I find my kids are in front of the TV more than I’d like them to be just so I can finish the work in my office even though I wake an hour before they get up to try to do most of my work. I think a lot of people think working from home is a cake walk. Its really not! Its a balancing act and sometimes you have to let things like the housework slide. So when I see someone commenting on the state of my house “but you’re a work at home mom”, I just wish they could be a fly on the wall to see that my day actually starts when they are still sleeping just so I can make sure I get things done.
Heather, it is so true. Being a Workd At Home Mom is one of the Grandious Careers Ever!
After being the one myself for the past 15 yeas, it’s such a balancing act extraordinaire that it’s beyond any explanation. Well-prepared, organized, planned and a million other things in addition – that’s what it needs to be 100% of time.
And the flies on the wall would be silenced forever!
These are great tips and definitely realistic for anybody wanting to work from home! Thanks!
These are great tips and definitely realistic for anybody wanting to work from home! Thanks!
These are great tips–I didn’t have the opportunity to try working from home due to my responsibilities however if the situation ever occurs, and be better prepared
I work from home 2 days per week and work in an office 3 days and I constantly feel like I get nothing done on the days I work at home. For me, it’s all about laying out a plan for the day the night before so I have goals to accomplish…without that, I’m not productive.
Great tips! I’m a SAHM but am working on trying to be a WAHM. I love being there for my kids but also want to bring in some extra income.
I’ve been a work at home mom for 10 years now, and wow does this ring true. The last one is the most important for me, otherwise I become a pretty cranky momma!
Except for the ones that have something to do with children, all your tips are very helpful. Including #6 is important. It makes you prepare yourself for the days ahead – mentally and physically.
Those are all great tips to be aware of. I can totally relate to number 6.
I work at home and while I love it… it’s also stressful and hard to walk away from at times. These are great tips. Thank you for sharing them with me 🙂
I love working at home. It’s challenging but so much better than leaving every day.
I think the you will lose sleep speaks volumes, as does the find time to rewind!
I work part-time outside of my home but I still work from home with my blog. I take it very seriously. My biggest issues is childcare. My hubby works 2nd shift and the rest of my family works, still other family members don’t want to be bothered with watching kids. I know I could get further ahead with my site if I could attend some of the events I’ve been invited to. I keep thinking, someday, when my youngest starts school
This can work for anyone who is a work at home person… i think there needs to be time to unwind.. or if you stay wound up its no good for anyone.