Is Being a Work-at-Home Mom for You?
The moment you have kids, your priorities shift. And for some moms like me, that often means putting our careers on hold to prioritize our family’s needs.
But the first question that comes to mind is: can we afford to live on just one income? The honest answer, most of the time, is no—life is expensive.
That’s why many moms turn to online work as a practical way to stay home while still earning.
When I gave birth to our first baby in 2017, I chose to work from home, and it became one of the best decisions I’ve ever made—but it wasn’t easy. It took months of planning and courage to finally take that leap.
If you’re thinking about doing the same, here are 5 things to consider before quitting your corporate job to become a work-at-home mom:
1. Your family's income and expenses
Working online isn't as easy as it sounds. Freelancing can be unpredictable: you’ll have seasons when you earn a lot, and others when projects slow down.
With a corporate job, you can count on a steady paycheck twice a month. But with freelancing, your income depends on how many clients you land and the type of projects you take on.
And when you're just starting out, your rate often depends on your skills, experience, and niche. If you’re a beginner, expect that your initial rates might be lower until you build a portfolio and credibility.
And when you're just starting out, your rate often depends on your skills, experience, and niche. If you’re a beginner, expect that your initial rates might be lower until you build a portfolio and credibility.
A few questions to evaluate your finances:
- How much does your spouse currently earn?
- How much do you earn right now?
- What are your family’s fixed monthly expenses?
- Will one income be enough to cover them?
- How much savings do you have to help your family through the transition?
- How much would you need to earn monthly as a freelancer to meet your household needs?
2. Your marketable skills
Many moms worry about what kind of work they can do once they leave the structure of a corporate job. The good news is, there's a wide range of online opportunities available today, such as, but not limited to the following:
- Writing and content creation
- Copyediting or proofreading
- Data entry and transcription
- Translation
- Online teaching or tutoring
- Graphic design
- Web development
- Accounting or bookkeeping
- Administrative support or virtual assistance
You can explore platforms like onlinejobs.ph to get an idea of the kinds of roles and industries that might suit you.
When assessing your skills, remember: you don’t always need a formal degree or specialized training to qualify for online work. What matters most is your willingness to learn, your reliability, and the skills you already bring to the table.
Here are a few questions to help you identify your strengths:
- What are you naturally good at?
- What hobbies or skills are you passionate about?
- What kind of work experience have you had before—whether in school, volunteer work, or your corporate job?
- What tasks make you feel fulfilled or excited to do?
Bonus Tip: Start small. Take online courses, volunteer for short projects, or accept entry-level freelance work to build your confidence and portfolio. Every small step helps you discover where your strengths truly lie.
3. Your time
One of the biggest challenges I faced when I started working from home was managing my time. Between house chores, childcare, and your older child’s schoolwork, it can feel like there’s never enough time in a day.It’s easier said than done, but finding balance really depends on two things: your time management and your household routine.
Here are a few questions to guide you:
- How many hours can you realistically dedicate to work each day? Part-time (around 4 hours) or full-time (8 hours)?
- What times of the day is your child asleep or busy (for example, in school, playtime, or nap time)?
- Which days of the week are you most available to focus on work?
Bonus Tip: Look for jobs that offer flexible hours. For instance, you can split your schedule: 2 hours in the morning, another 2 in the afternoon, and 4 more in the evening. It makes a world of difference when you can work around your family’s rhythm instead of against it.
4. Your options for assistance/support around the house
It truly takes a village to raise a kid, especially when you're working from home.
With our eldest, we hired a full-time helper during her first year to help with household chores and look after the baby while I worked.
With our eldest, we hired a full-time helper during her first year to help with household chores and look after the baby while I worked.
With our second child, however, we decided to go for a stay-out housekeeper who comes once a week. For the rest of the week, it’s just me handling everything—childcare, chores, and work.
It’s not always easy, but it’s doable. Babywearing has been a huge help, along with finding a routine that works for our family.
Here are some things to consider before you take the leap:
- Do you live with family members who can help out while you work?
- Do you have the budget to hire a househelp or part-time cleaner?
- Can your partner share some household or childcare responsibilities?
5. Your emotional readiness
Of course, all these practical factors won’t matter if you’re not emotionally ready to make such a big change.
Working from home is a completely different environment from what you’re used to. Gone are the office chika, team lunches, and daily face-to-face interactions.
Working from home is a completely different environment from what you’re used to. Gone are the office chika, team lunches, and daily face-to-face interactions.
Most days, it’s just you, your baby, your partner, and whoever else is at home.
For many moms, especially extroverts, this kind of setup takes some adjustment. But even introverts like me found it challenging at first.
For many moms, especially extroverts, this kind of setup takes some adjustment. But even introverts like me found it challenging at first.
The isolation can sneak up on you, especially during stressful days or long nights.
Here are a few questions to reflect on:
Here are a few questions to reflect on:
- Are you ready to step out of your comfort zone and try something new?
- Can you handle having less social interaction—no more office gossip, meetings, or team activities?
- Do you have a support circle (even virtually) to lean on when you feel overwhelmed?
- Are you comfortable working independently and managing your own schedule?
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Working from home comes with plenty of perks, the biggest one being that you get to spend more time with your family.
However, it’s not a decision you can make overnight. Take time to consider your family’s unique situation and what truly works for you. Every household is different, and what worked for us may not fit your circumstances—and that’s perfectly okay.
Whatever you decide, trust that you’re doing what’s best for your family. Good luck!
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