By Kelly L. Trainor
Keywords: work-at-home opportunity, freelance writer
When asked in class what her mom does for a living, my youngest responded, “Oh, she just plays on the computer all day.”
This seems to be a common train of thought in my family. My grandmother says it’s wonderful I’m “a stay-at-home mom who doesn’t feel the need to work.” I guess those 12-hour days behind my desk don’t count, and neither do the 16-hour marathon sessions to meet a tight deadline. I let it go because grandma doesn’t understand “this new Internet thing.” Besides, she bakes me cookies. Not much trumps a good chocolate chip fix.
With the exception of my elderly grandma, I’m getting a little testy about being treated like a bored housewife by those who have no idea about the time commitment, organization, and skills needed to make it as a freelance writer. Just because I chose a work-at-home opportunity over a traditional job doesn’t make my skills any less important. In fact, freelance business owners who can make all the pieces come together are quite a talented lot!
Just because a freelance writer is home during the day doesn’t mean she is bored and longing for something to do. I really don’t have time to pick up your dry cleaning, watch your dog, or run across the street to sign for a package delivery. Think I need a real job? Got one, thanks, and my schedule is already full.
Creative thinking takes work. There’s no switch I can flip on and off when I need to work or rest. Besides the writing itself, I have advertising to create, projects to pitch, accounting to do, clients to call, research to accomplish, business forms to file, taxes to pay, and the occasional nervous breakdown to plan. I work long days trying to build my business and still carve out time to care for my family and home. Please don’t get huffy because I won’t pick up your kid from band practice so you can tan after work.
If you’re a freelance writer making the most of this work-at-home opportunity, don’t flinch. Your work has value, and you have every right to invest your time into it. If you’re fortunate enough to have a supportive spouse (as I do), tell him or her how much you appreciate that support today and every day. And even if you don’t, keep your focus. There is money to be made in this business. Thousands of us do it everyday, and you can too!
Kelly L. Trainor has been married to her favorite person for nearly 20 years. She plans to keep him around for a few more decades provided he minds his manners. (But he'd better watch his step!) Together, they live in beautiful northern Michigan with a variety of pets including fish, guinea pigs, and two daughters who perpetually hog the bathroom.
Kelly is a freelance writer and graphic artist who specializes in health, humor, business writing, and custom business documents. She's been published online and in newsprint has won three awards, and has written two as-yet-unpublished novels.
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