Why This Stay-at-Home Freelance Mom Chose Freelance Writing

Right now my twins are in their cribs sleeping for the night and I’m in my office updating my blog.

I’m 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.

Why This Stay-at-Home Freelance Mom Chose Freelance Writing

Even though I have been doing this – as a home mom  – for a short time, I can say with assurance that freelance writing is the way to go for me and my family.

I Didn’t Plan on Being a Freelance Mom 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 couldn’t imagine making money off blogging or even writing articles and if a mom can freelance.

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 didn’t 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.

That’s 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 an at home 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! Let’s make a fishbowl and glue fishy crackers on it! Yay!

Rainbows and unicorns every day!

Time for bed, nighty-night!

I honestly thought this during my maternity. 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.

Motherhood and parenting was something I never envisioned could be this way.

I’m 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 didn’t 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 weren’t moms about other things that didn’t include our children.

At that time, though, I  wouldn’t have been able to have a coherent adult conversation on let’s 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 won’t 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 couldn’t bear to be separated from them for more than 4 hours.

Actually, I couldn’t let someone else take care of them since I’m a huge control freak.

Put Your Coffee Down and Write – Freelance Mom Can Do This

I knew I didn’t want to go back to work as a Special Education teacher at an elementary school, but I also craved grown-up interactions.

Another thing, we needed extra money because a little one (or two) turned out to be expensive (two car seats, two pack n’ plays, two swings, you get the picture).

I started researching freelance writing and it looked more appealing than before. I learned that a freelance  writer mom could do this…

  • 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 as a freelance mom. I created Innovative Ink and worked on writing my website content.

I knew that freelance or stay at home mom was something I could do at the same time and I didn’t have to do either one or the other.

This made me work on my writing skills, which I needed at the time.

I looked at other freelance writers and how they marketed themselves and where they were published.

Some freelance writers I connected with are:

Not all of them are freelance moms, but I liked their style of writing, their related articles,  how they managed their client work, and how they developed their social presence online – with many having small children!

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!

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 landing a freelance writing job? Maybe you like to write or like reading blogs.

Time To Get On Social Media

One thing I knew I had to do to be a freelance mom like some of the other freelance writers I saw, was to create a Twitter profile and LinkedIn profile on social media.

Yeah! I was going to use social media more than just watching Youtube videos, going to a Facebook group and posting cute baby pics to my Facebook page!

Being on social might mean landing a freelance job or home jobs or just any online jobs for that matter! I am excited about freelance writing and what it will entail.

To Get Out There I Need to Try Job Boards

From learning from other freelance moms and freelance writers, I knew about job boards as a fast way to find a freelance writing job.

I’m a busy mom and finding a client could take hours just searching all over social media. So, trying job boards like Pro Blogger or Indeed will help me get there faster.

And one thing to remember is to guest post so I can gain a writing sample or two.

Potential Clients and a Kid (or Two)

As a home mom trying to be a successful freelance mom, I’m worried I can’t juggle potential clients and a kid on my hip.

Learning to be a working mom to find gigs is all new to me.

I’m starting a small business right?

Freelance Mom

Freelance writing jobs give 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!

Hi I'm Elna and I'm a freelance writer and mom blogger. I help people just like you become a profitable freelance writer. Within 6 months of starting my freelance writing business from scratch I was able to earn a full-time living as a part-time freelance writer while taking care of my twin toddlers. Check out my free email course Get Paid to Write Online and learn the steps you need to take to be a freelance writer.

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22 Comments

Hi Elna – I purchased your course a number of years ago and never finished it. I’m a new mom and am ready to finish the course but I can’t find the confirmation email to figure out where to even get back in to the coursework. Can you help me?Reply to Krystal
Hi Krystal, Please email me! [email protected]Reply to Elna
Hi there!! Here another freelance mom! I’m a professional proofreader and writer at home. I love your article, I feel so identified!!!Reply to María
Hi Maria! Hello!!! Thanks for letting me know. I love connecting with other freelancing mamas! I do have another blog for moms bloggers called Twins Mommy where I share more of my life as a mom to twins and working from home!Reply to Elna
Hi, Elna. I’m venturing out into the freelance and blogging world. Your article is encouraging. Thanks!Reply to Sara
Hi Sara, Thank you so much! I hope you found some help on my blog so you can get started as a freelance writer! I’m here also if you need more help!Reply to Elna
How can I start a freelance writing business when all I have is a couple hours at nightReply to Christian
Hi Christian, You can get started with a few hours a day and on the weekend. Set some goals and stick to it. I would maximize my time online by having tasks and metrics to go with it! Good luck!Reply to Elna
Hi Elna, Great post! I’ve read a couple of your articles online, and really enjoy your style. I have 6-year old twin boys and a 7-year old daughter, so I can totally relate to you. Thanks so much for the post! Just wanted to pop in and say keep it up! sReply to Sharon
Hi Elna! Awesome blogpost, I am exactly there with my 3 month old, but while I do want to write, my passion is in business planning, so I’d like for the bulk of my writing jobs to be writing business plans. Any tips besides those online freelance sites?Reply to Shan
Most of my writing is blog writing or lead magnets, so not sure where to find business plan freelance work. I would just do some warm pitching and check out job boards!Reply to Elna
Hi Elna, Thank you for this article, you have perfectly illustrated exactly how I feel right now! I have a 3 month old babe, whom I absolutely love to bits, but my brain is going to mush, I find talking to coherent adults intimidating, I cheer on a good poop and welcome a big spit up. Writing is not the field I am educated in, nor is it where my work experience is rooted, however as I find my way in the world of motherhood I am also finding my way back to my passions. Much like yourself, I can’t imagine going back to work, but want to engage my brain and contribute financially to the family. I am so happy I stumbled upon your blog post!! (Ps…I write this with a sleeping baby strapped to me in a newborn wrap…it’s the only way to get a day time nap out of him!)Reply to Becky
Hey Becky! Thank you so much! Yes, my twins are still with me (no daycare) and will be four next month! They will be going to school this year and although I am excited at the extra time to grow my biz, I’m going to miss them so much! If you decide to do freelance writing, I have a lot of free resources!Reply to Elna
Hi Elna I’m commenting on the back of your – set yourself up on Gravatar and leave a comment on my blog 😉 But seriously, I’m taking steps to set myself up as a freelance writer and found your blog, which looks incredible. I look forward to reading and learning more from you.Reply to Bek
Hey Bek! Thanks so much! Yeah, my blog is full of free resources to help you land your first client. I also offer coaching and have a comprehensive course (that I’m updating! Yay!)Reply to Elna
Excellent! I’m thinking about your course, but I’m in Week 2 of a Magazine Writing Course and am making myself focus and not chase after too many shiny things at once. So, it’s perfect that I wait a little bit for your (updated) one 🙂 I’ll check out your coaching too xReply to Bek
Hey Bek! Thanks so much. I’m here to help you and enjoy your magazine writing course! Whose course is that?Reply to Elna
It’s from The Australian Writers’ Centre (I’m in Western Australia). I’ve come across a New Zealand based school that seems similar too, called The Writers College. How fantastic is this time we’re living in, when we can access so much diverse information and find what’s best for us? xx (And all from the comfort of our own homes ha ha!)
Hey Bek! That’s awesome! Enjoy the course and feel free to hit me up if you have a question!
Hi Elna, I loved reading your post and I can totally relate. I remember waking up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom and first thing that came to my mind when I got up was: “A is for apple, a-a-a, B is for ball, b-b-b”, and so on. After I had my second baby and when he turned one, I decided to dedicate as much time as I could to blogging and freelance writing because I needed to organize my thoughts and do something for myself. I love my children and I am grateful for being able to stay at home and watch them grow. Thank you for this amazing article and brilliant advice. I’m glad I found your blog! I look forward to more amazing posts!Reply to Tee
That’s an awful lot of hats to wear simultaneously Elna!LOL! And you do it extremely well! I love your term “Mommy brain” BTW!LOL! That really seems to sum things up! And I also long the reoccurring theme, that you often hear echoed by so many successful entrepreneurs, such as yourself. And that being, initially they never thought they would go the route they ultimately did! It’s only after they got started and began developing some steady forward momentum, did they sort of stumble upon their true specialty and passion! Nice job!Thanks so much for sharing some of your real world experiences!Reply to Mark
Thanks Mark! Glad you enjoy my blog and commenting on my posts. Working as a mom with twins is hard. But, I want to be able to stay home and raise my twins. Both my husband and I stay home and work while taking care of the children and house. It’s a lot of work, but we wouldn’t trade it for the world!Reply to Elna