Why This Stay-at-Home Mom Chose Freelance Writing

Right now my twins are in their cribs sleeping for the night and Im in my office updating my blog. Im able to dedicate 1-2 hours after they sleep to work on building my brand as a freelance writer. Being a mom to two year old twins while trying to make it as a freelance writer is no easy feat. Even though I have been doing this for a short time, I can say with assurance that freelance writing is the way to go for me and my family. I Didnt Plan on Being a Freelance Writer at All In fact, when my husband proposed doing some freelance jobs online I looked at him and said, Are you kidding me? Virtual Assistant? And get paid with virtual dollars? He laughed at me and told me that there are many freelance jobs available like blogging or writing articles. I couldnt imagine making money off blogging or even writing articles. My husband, an entrepreneur who runs his own e-Commerace business, had me write fluff articles for his business, many years ago on a range of topics like allergies, pet products, back to school ideas and baby items. I remember writing quick 300 word articles on What Color Should you Paint Your Nursery? or Do Seasonal Allergies Ruin Your Day? I stopped writing for him because it didnt interest me at the time nor did I feel like I was making it as a writer. I was just helping out my husband after work and on the weekends. Thats what I thought freelance writing was when he mentioned it 1 year after I had my twins. A moonlighting job just to earn some quick money. Mommy Brain was Ruining My Mind! I always imagined  being a mom to be a wonderful experience where you play and have fun all day with your child. You have a restful night, wake up to a happy chatter bug and spend the morning having fun. Mealtimes were no problem, she will eat anything you give her. Need to do a few chores? No problem, here, play with your doll house while mommy cleans the bathroom. Time for arts and crafts! Lets make a fishbowl and glue fishy crackers on it! Yay! Rainbows and unicorns every day! Time for bed, nighty-night! I honestly thought this. I never knew having children would be difficult and all consuming. I also never envisioned   having twins, but I was fortunate enough and blessed with a beautiful boy and girl almost two years ago. Im also fortunate enough to stay at home and raise them   with family nearby to help and a husband that works from home to call on when I need   a hand. When the twins were around 15 months old, I felt I finally had a grasp on what I was doing. I didnt need as much help from my husband or family members and I developed a routine that was working. The only thing that bothered me was my lack of adult interaction. I barely talked to other people that werent moms about other things that didnt include our children. At that time, though, I   wouldnt have been able to have a coherent adult conversation on lets say the rise of gas prices. I was suffering from mommy brain. All I thought about were things like how to get my twins to sleep better, how to get my picky eaters to eat something besides toast and fruit, and why wont they nap more than 60 minutes at a time. I also had the song, Baa Baa Black Sheep on repeat in my mind and stopped using words like resonate, justifiable or myriad. Instead, I was using words like, okay-dokey, poopy and upsy daisy. I loved my children, but I needed to get out of Mommyland and into BigAdultLand. The only problem was day care for two toddlers is expensive and I couldnt bear to be separated from them for more than 4 hours. Actually, I couldnt let someone else take care of them since Im a huge control freak. Put Your Coffee Down and Write I knew I didnt want to go back to work as a Special Education teacher at an elementary school, but I also craved grown-up interactions. I started researching freelance writing and it looked more appealing than before. I learned it was a way to Stay home with my children Contribute to our finances Set my own hours and pace Give me the freedom to run errands and tend to the house while still working So I decided to pursue writing. I created Innovative Ink and worked on writing my website content. I looked at other freelance writers and how they marketed themselves and where they were published. Some freelance writers I connected with are: Lauren Krom Kristi Hines Katie M. Anderson Alicia Rades Not all of them are moms, but I liked their style of writing, how they branded themselves in their niche, and how they developed their social presence online. I also read freelance writing websites as a way to learn more about this niche and how to be a better freelance writer. Take a look at some of them! All Indie Writers Be a Freelance Writer ProBlogger Copyblog Freelancer FAQs The Write Practice Be a Freelance Blooger I can adjust my schedule to squeeze in writing before my children wake up, during their naps and after they go down for the night. I can also write when I have child care for a few hours a day. It works. I can still do the daily house chores and run errands when necessary. Are you thinking about doing some freelance work? Maybe you like to write or like reading blogs. Freelance writing gives you the opportunity to write articles, blogs, site content, press releases, product reviews and just about anything that companies might need written. If you need help launching your successful freelance writing business, my course Write Your Way to Your First $1k walks you step-by-step and uses my proven strategy. Are you a freelance writer and a mom? How do you manage to write and take care of your children? Share your story here!