Have you realized how women have to justify themselves all the time? How we are forced to make life-changing choices and get criticized about whichever the choice was? If you have kids, you’ll probably have heard way too many pieces of advice you didn’t ask for. I don’t know whether I’ve ever told you that my husband comes from Germany, where the difference between “being a mom” and “being a career woman” are two very different– even opposite – things. If you want to stay at home to take care of your kids, you’re lazy. However, if you want to keep on working after your baby’s born, you’re supposed to be a “raven mother.” Yep. That’s what they call us! Funny enough, men don’t have to make any choices. Choosing between career and family is not even something to think about. They’re either hard-working bread-earning good husbands or – if they help with the kids – amazing dads! You notice my envy, right?

Now, what are you supposed to do then? Keep on working and spend more time at the office than with your kids? Or rather stay at home and renounce to all those years you spent studying and working hard to achieve something in life? What’s your choice – developing your career or throwing away everything you’ve created to take care of that little person you love more than anything in your life?

What if I told you that there’s a way to have both options?? Yep! You guessed it right! Go freelance and work from home! Now, easier said than done, right? I know! Starting a business on your own means hard work, that’s for sure, and you’ll probably spend more than one night working… but you’ll be there when your people most need you! And yet you’ll be able to keep on using your mind and abilities on a business you love! ‘Cause if it’s yours, you gotta love it 😉 Now, how can you do it? How can you work from home AND be a good mom – without going crazy?

5 steps to combine career and family

♥ First, take your time to figure out what kind of business are you going to run. Feel free to check this blog post if you need any help.

♥ The next thing you want to do is schedule fixed times for you to work on your business – both before you launch it and once it’s up and running. Make sure you’re honest with yourself – and don’t overestimate the hours you’ll have available when you’re still working at your current job.

♥ Then, you’ll also want to check your finances. Is quitting your job something that you could manage right now? Or would it be more appropriate for you to start side hustling and get your first customers before you take the leap?

♥ Next, set yourself a deadline to launch your business! If you ever feel discouraged at your decision to start your own online business from home, never ever forget why you made that decision in the first place. And remember: Consistency is key!

♥ And finally, follow these 10 tips to work from home successfully. As rewarding as it is, working from home can also become a bit of a challenge if you don’t take a couple of appropriate measures.

You’re going to be judged anyway, so you’d rather do what you think is best for you and your family – and forget about what people say!

How is it in your country? Do you also feel judged for your decisions?