Celebrate being a Homebased Mom!

Monday, October 15, 2007, by Leigh Anne

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I love being a homebased mom. I have been a homebased mom for 23 years since my first son Logan was born. I have had a direct sales business for 17 years but had several other types of homebased businesses before that

One of the biggest “issues” I see with women having a homebased business is the guilt that some women feel. They feel guilty because they are out doing a show or attending a meeting and not with their kids 24 – 7. They allow their children to become an excuse NOT to do their business instead of a reason to DO it. My children are the reason I have a homebased business – I do my business for my kids!

Being a homebased business mom has brought so many blessings and extras to our life – not all financial. I decided it would be fun to ask my boys what their thoughts were on having grown up with a mom who worked from home. I figured since they have been gone from home, (both have lived in foreign countries for two years) and been away at college that they might have a different perspective on what it was like to have a mom who worked from home.

When I asked my boys what they saw as some of the “perks” to having a homebased mom they had some fun responses -

One of Logan’s responses was the following:

“My mother has worked from home ever since I can remember. When I was a little kid my front room used to be full of young women, (this was during my Children’s Sewing School days) who my mother taught to sew. I loved it even though I was probably only six. I got to go bug all the teenage girls and flirt with them. I think that has helped me a lot with girls throughout my life (just kidding mom).Clark said “First off I think my siblings and I were better fed than any other family I know, my home was a great place to hang out with friends because there was always homemade cookies or something good to eat. (I was probably preparing food for a team meeting or customer event) Both boys mentioned the financial blessing my business is to our family but both also mentioned the benefits of having me at home. Clark said, “The extra income that was brought in was a great blessing for our family, while at the same time Mom was always free to help us out or be there for us when we needed her. She was always able to attend our activities, sporting events, and painfully suffer through several wrestling tournaments. (yes I did suffer!!)

One of the best benefits of being a homebased mom is the flexibility it gave me in regards to my children. Logan said, “Even though my mother has always worked I never remember her not being at any activity of mine. My mother’s kids were her first priority, I remember her many times leaving meetings early to come to my ball games or performances. Even though she worked from home she was still more involved in my life then my friends mothers who didn’t even work (I know there were a few games I missed but he doesn’t even remember that – the majority of time I was there and that is what he remembers!)

As I look at my “boys” – actually at the age of 21 and 23 they are really now “men” I can see the influences my homebased business has had on them. My children have developed an “entrepreneurial spirit”. When my boys were young they decided to earn some extra money one summer by building bird houses. They built them (with a little help from dad) and then painted them (with a little help from mom) and then rented a booth space at a local farmer’s market and each Saturday they would sell their bird houses. Instead of getting the “standard” high school job – working at McDonald’s etc. they have run their own business each summer – doing yard and landscaping work for others. They made much more money than they ever would have working for minimum wage and had a lot more flexibility with their time.

I believe my children have benefited and learned from the example of a mother who remained dedicated and committed to her business – even when times were hard, sales were down, classes weren’t there and recruits were few and far between. They saw me work through those times and learn from it and they have become dedicated and committed individuals also. They are resourceful, bright, successful and empowered to do what they want to do.

In honor of homebased moms and their kids, the DSWA (Direct Selling Women’s Alliance), of which I am a member, is sponsoring a “Party With Your Kids Week”.

This campaign honors the fact that owning a home-based business is one of the most powerful ways to teach our children important life skills while bringing the family together. It’s a celebration of the freedom, independence and opportunities for personal growth that a direct selling business offers

The DSWA has made a great Family Business Tool Kit available and it’s being offered f-r-e-e to anyone who wants it as a part of a campaign called Party With Your Kids Week happening October 20-27, 2007!The Direct Selling Women’s Alliance has put together an awesome collection of bonuses, some of which are listed below.

Inspiring tele-classes on turning your home-based business into a “family business”
Family-focused articles on balancing family and business with ease
Seek & Find games and crosswords for kids as well as teens
Family Goal Poster Night instructions for an evening of family fun and dreaming
Articles from top leaders on how to engage your kids in your business
A drawing contest for kids
A photo gallery where you can share a photo of your child helping you in your business
Helpful Tips for running a home-based office with kids and Much, Much More!

This is all free so click on http://www.partywithyourkids.com You don’t have to wait until the week of October 20th to start celebrating! Start partying with your kids today and celebrate being a homebased mom!

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