As a mother, we are faced with so many responsibilities. Managing the home, our family and still making time for self-care can be really difficult if you’re employed at a 9-to-5. I can imagine it being more of a struggle to work a 9-5 and run my family, than to be self-employed, running my own business from the comfort of my home, along with my family. There are so many reasons why self employment is good for mothers.
If you’re still wondering if it’s a good idea to transition into being self-employed, then here are 6 reasons that will convince you to get started.
Flexible hours
One of the first things you begin to experience when you’re self-employed is that you can work at any time of the day. You’re not restricted to work at 9am and close at 5pm. You can set the time that is most convenient for you. You can also reschedule, especially when you have to be at your child’s school or you’re feeling under the weather.
Self Employment & Flexible Location
You know those days at work, where it feels as if the cubicle is choking you to death? Well, if you’re self-employed you can work anywhere you want to. You can work from the comfort of your home or work on the beach. The location is up to you. When you feel like you need a change of environment, it’s just as easy as taking your laptop and going to the place of your choice.
You are in control of the income you want to make
Being self-employed gives you the opportunity to determine how much you want to earn. In a 9-to-5 you are restricted to a fixed salary and before you can get a raise, you should have worked long and hard to be eligible for a raise. When you own your own business, you are the one who determines how much you want to earn. There’s literally no limit to what you can earn so long as you put in the work.
Less stress
The beauty of self employment is the amount of stress that you get to cut out of your life. You don’t have to deal with the pressure from co-workers or an angry boss. Worrying about commuting would be a thing of the past, if you work from home. You don’t have to worry about that late evening meeting and how to still make it to your child’s recital. Let’s face it: working at a 9-to-5 can be overwhelming at times. When you’re self-employed you’re in more control of your life and your work.
Gives you the sense of independence
When you work in a 9-to-5 you’re limited on all sides. Everything you do is focused on pleasing the company you work for. Whether you like it or not, there will be days when you’ll be asked to do things that you would ordinarily not like to do. Just because you don’t want to lose your job, you’ll find yourself succumbing to the whims of your boss.
But in your own business, you are your own boss and you have no one to please but yourself. You do what you like and the decisions you take in your business will not challenge your authentic self.
Quality Time
The most important people in your life are your dear ones. Being able to just be a part of their lives and get the opportunity to impact their lives daily is precious. But when you are neck-deep in work from the office (which can get extremely demanding) you miss out on what’s important. Being self-employed gives you the freedom to be with your family and be a part of their lives. Everyday spent with the one’s you love makes your life richer and more worthwhile.
Self employment is the coolest way to go, but it regardless of the freedom and beauty of being self employed, it is not the best option for everyone, and may not be the best option for you. This way of life comes with its own issues. It takes a lot of determination, passion and disclipline to make it work.
Fully concur with all of the above. I’ve never been employed (not too sure I’d make a good employee now!!) and I love all of these benefits of self employment. Kate
Yea me too Kate.
I can imagine that self-employment is good in lots of ways – but I think I would be A LOT poorer to begin with. I have no idea what I would be able to do. I also think I would have to work a lot harder. I work from 8-4.30 most days and have 15 weeks holiday a year. Certainly not bad!
Yea that sounds great Laura.
I agree with so much of this. flexibility is a big thing especially with children
Yes it is Sarah.
I am only getting to understand the benefits of working from home with children since mine are not in school yet. But, I agree that there is a lot of benefit to it and no matter the age of the children there is a huge amount of potential for personal fulfillment in it.
Yea are lots of benefits Bekah.
And the reasons why it frequently isn’t good…
1) in most cases the pay is worse;
2) no sick pay, holiday pay or maternity pay if you have another child;
3) no employer’s pension contributor – and many mothers in self employment don’t make any pension contributions at all. Convenient now but potentially setting yourself up for poverty in your old age;
4) many women love to walk out of the house and work in a different environment with a different set of coworkers. I loved my kids dearly but it was good to have a part of my life that was very separate from my home.
5) in theory you are in control of life- work balance. But that goes out the window when you have a contract that has an urgent deadline. Self employed work at home can expand to fill your entire life.
6) although being self employed develops many skills, you are losing out on experience at work, an employer paying for training, and promotions.
7) may make it harder to remortgage at a good rate.
All these cons don’t apply in my case. My monthly pay now is higher than what I had at my previous employed job. I hardly fall ill and when I do, I just let the work pile up until I can sort it out. With my previous job, I was made to feel very bad whenever I had to call in sick. I love working from home. It is the best location ever. I am also able to pick the clients I like to work with. So no crazy/unrealistic deadlines for me. I could go on and on, but my point is, it works for me and millions of others. It won’t work for everyone.
Thank you for this! Makes me want to be self employed! Maybe I gotta try it at one point in my life. But I’m hoping for a life where I can have the best of both worlds: I’m employed by someone, but does self-employed stuff. I hope I can make that work someday!
My pleasure. Thanks for reading and good luck.
There are definitely a lot of positives and I wouldn’t want it any other way, but there are also many negatives too and so it’s not for everyone! 🙂
Yea definitely not for everyone.
I agree with no having to commute each day, but I think I would still be stressed as I always want everything to be perfect. But I love the idea. Maybe one day 🙂
Ah nice. Thanks for stopping by.
What a brilliant post! You’ve summed up everything I feel about employment now I’ve had children. I’d love nothing more than to work for myself.
Me too..Thanks for reading.
I definitely think that self employment is best, especially when you have the chance to earn your own money! x
Yes Ana x
I would love my husband to go self employed, I think he would be much more relaxed.
Oh nice.
I agree with this so much, but not just for a mother but for any individual. Self employment is the best option for flexibility and freedom when wanting a career.
True that.
I’d love to be self employed but unfortunately not an option with my job. Sounds great though.
It is..