This is why we work from home !
By Darina • Sep 25th, 2006 • Category: For WAHMsWorking from home can be frustrating, it’s hard when others just don’t “get” what exactly you are doing, particularly if you have an online business that is so different from traditional bricks and mortar or traditional service type businesses. It can be frustrating, it can be lonely at times, but it can be fantastic, and every now again I am reminded of the joys and benefits of working from home, like the picture in my profile on the top right, that was taken one clear bright day last march when I just didn’t feel like working and I took the kids and the dog to the beach instead.
Here is an article by a friend of mine Nicole Dean a work at home mum in the US that I have gotten to know over the last year that really sums it up.  So if you have been getting frustrated with working from home, if you’ve been lonely and wondering if it was ever going to work, or if you’ve been searching for that ideal work at home opportunity and wondering if it will be worthwhile… have a read of this and take heart (ok you’ll have to change the picture slighly LOL, to compensate for the gulf of mexico..but the sentiment is true worldwide)
Websites in the Sand by Nicole Dean
 Every once in a while I am reminded that working from home is a dream come true. Sometimes it’s a subtle reminder - a hug from my daughter or a bike ride with my son. Other times it just takes my breath away.
A few days ago, I had a reminder that took my breath away. My husband and I were standing on a beach on the Gulf of Mexico, a few miles from our home. It was our weekly brainstorming session. Once each week, we drop off the kids at school, buy a latte and plan our workweek. This week, we decided to meet at the beach.
We talked and drank our coffee, enjoying the salt air and the sounds of the waves crashing near us. I had my shoes off, and was enjoying the feel of the perfect white sand. Butterflies danced around us, and my hair kept blowing in my face. It was the perfect day.
One of the items on our agenda was the design of a new website. My husband smiled as he excitedly described what he had planned. I looked back at him, not quite understanding.
He picked up a stick, sat down and began drawing in the sand. First, a rectangle, then more lines and arrows as a website took shape. He talked and squinted up at me, looking for my approval. I took the stick from him and drew another rectangle next to his, offering ideas of my own.
We sketched and debated different layouts and the benefits of each decision on Search Engines and ease of navigation.
After we had created a row of rectangles down the beach, I smiled at our progress pleased that we had come to an agreement.
The meeting over, we held hands and walked away, while the waves washed away all evidence of our meeting.
My husband paused and said “This is what working at home is all about.”
I agreed.
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Nicole Dean is the proud owner of several websites including http://www.ShowMomtheMoney.com - a resource for work at home moms and http://www.ShowKidstheFun.com - a fun site filled with crafts and activities for kids.
Article Source: http://www.ladypens.com
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Darina,
I just love this post! It is so true; we are so blessed to be working from home. Last Friday as I handed in a permission slip for my daughter to attend a field trip (with me as one of the volunteer parent supervisors), I realized that I have never missed a school trip. Why? Because I am working from home at a business that allows me flexibility. None of my previous offline jobs would have allowed that! Now, if I can just get my hubby to be home too, we can have beach meetings like Nicole - I love that idea!!
Yeah you’re right Crystal, as I said we can get frustrated with it, even lonely at times particularly if you have an online business and don’t meet any ” real” people LOL, but at the end of the day, I believe the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages.. now if I could just get the weather that Nik has !!
I’ve been thinking seriously of buying a business that is for sale in our town, it is something that I would have jumped at in my “prior” life and seriously wonder about turning down the chance.
On the other hand, we where out of power because of a storm the past two days, no school today and my husband is home. Instead of rushing off to work, I am home enjoying the day, even with some added catch up to do.
Friday I was in a mad rush getting things ready for my daughter’s birthday party, reminding myself how lucky I was to take the day because I needed it instead of having to go to work anyway.
Bottomline, this flexibility to be home, doing a job that I love and the fact that my kids are doing well and I don’t want to mess with it will likely be the determining factor on whether or not I go for the “bricks and mortar” biz or not (our local fitness center is selling, it has a spa center - I do natural soap supplies, nutrition etc and love going there now, so it’s a great fit but still, does it compare to being home when ever I need to be with 3 kids to look after??)
Great article Nicole, I don’t live near the beach, but there are plenty of times that work has not been a chore at all because I’m enjoying a spectacular day at home - the leaves are turning here in Ontario and it’s stunning just to be outside.
Have a Great Day!
Janice
That was a beautiful article, Nicole! And that is what I’m looking for as well. To be able to enjoy my family without always being buried in front of the computer.
Thank you!
[…] Sometimes I think we have to stop and think and remind ourselves why. Â I think this story is a good illustrator of why !! This Is Why We Work From Home […]