• Work With Me
    • Blog Management Services
      • Portfolio
      • Pricing
    • Contribute
    • Advertise
  • Blogging for Business
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Disclosure

Amy Boyington

Parenting and Family Lifestyle Content Creator

  • Home
  • Remote Jobs for Moms
  • Family Lifestyle
  • Guides

December 15, 2017 by Amy Boyington

Reflections from My First Year as a Full-Time Freelancing Mama

Spread the love

I did it!

Here's what I've learned from my first full year of freelancing [the ups, downs, and everything in-between].

I can proudly say I’ve made it past my first year as a full-time freelancer (plus two months!). Hallelujah!

This is quite an accomplishment, especially from a worry-wart like myself. I’m one of those people that worries about things before they even happen. You can imagine how much I’ve stressed over whether quitting my full-time teaching job was a good move or not. Then, once I did, I constantly worried if I’d be able to keep a steady stream of writing clients going to support my family.

I’m a single mom, guys. The thought of my clients dropping my services terrified me. (Okay, it still does, but not as much.)

The truth is that owning your own business is scary. Freelancing is unpredictable. There are a million things that could go wrong. But, I’m happy to say that in my first year of being a full-time freelancer mom, I’ve had a lot of success.

Here’s what I’ve learned along the way:

Working from Home with Kids Ain’t Easy (But It’s the Best Thing Ever)

See this little guy right here? It’s not easy writing with him on my lap. But, it’s so rewarding.

Nope. Definitely not. It’s almost impossible.

In fact, I encourage anyone who works from home to get daycare, if possible. I just know that it’s not possible for everyone financially or logistically. It wasn’t an option for me, so my 4-year-old son was home with me when he wasn’t in preschool for a few hours a week.

Try working with a kid on your lap. Or a sick kid who wants to snuggle (I can’t resist). Or, even a kid who begs you to play “ONE MORE TIME, MOMMY!” (again, can’t resist!).

It’s tough, but I learned to deal with it. I loved having my son home with me and made the choice to work from home because of my kids. There was no way I was going to take it for granted.

So, I started waking up super early in the morning and working before he woke up. I promised him, every day, that we’d have a long lunch break together. We’d eat our lunch, read some books, go to the park, or take a walk. I’d also take a couple of mini-breaks through the day to play a game or give a snuggle. We learned to adapt together.

And, guess what? Now that he’s a big boy in kindergarten, I totally miss having him glued to my side.

You Absolutely Have to Be Adaptable

I knew before starting a freelance writing business that the job would give me more flexibility than I’d ever had at work. What I didn’t realize was how much flexibility I’d have to give to the job.

If you’re not able to adapt, you won’t cut it as a freelancer. I’m not kidding.

Sometimes, you’ll need to work on Saturday to finish up a project that you thought you’d have done by Friday afternoon. Maybe your kid gets sick at school and you have to lose half a day’s work to pick her up and bring her to the doctor. Or, there could always be that inevitable Wi-Fi or computer failure that happens at the worst possible moment.

Crap happens. It’s part of the job.

I don’t necessarily love being under time crunches, but it happens sometimes. I’m such a stickler with deadlines and I love planning things out. But, I learned that you just can’t plan everything as a freelancer.

I always suggest to people just starting out in the freelance world to give themselves an extra day or two for every project. Never, ever plan anything without some leeway. It’s when you do that, that something unexpected will happen and you’ll need more time.

Unplugging is Crucial to Your Sanity

A post shared by Amy Boyington (@thewahmomcom) on Aug 10, 2017 at 2:58am PDT


I work so that I can provide for these two. They deserve my full attention, and I deserve some downtime.

As a full-time freelancer mom, I quickly learned that I couldn’t stay glued to my computer and phone all day.

It seriously stressed me out getting constant email and Skype notifications. Just like a real job, I realized that it’s necessary for me to stop working when it was time to stop working.

As a freelancer, you need to make boundaries. Give yourself a schedule if you need to. I usually work between 5 AM and 4 PM. After that, it’s time for me to help my kids with homework, make dinner, go to dance practice, etc. The evenings are for me and my children, not work.

I even started silencing my phone after 4 PM so that I wasn’t tempted to answer emails or hop on a Skype chat. Once I realized that I deserved downtime, free from my computer and phone screen, it was much easier to unplug.

You Should Never Stop Marketing Yourself

I’ve been fortunate enough to have a steady stream of clients come my way without doing much marketing. But, I’m one of those people that believe that as soon as you stop marketing yourself, that’s when you’ll find yourself in a pickle.

Realistically, freelancing clients can drop you at any time after your contract is over. And, even if a contract is in action, there’s no guarantee your client will adhere to it.

I never saw myself as “safe” during my first year of freelancing. I still don’t, even thought I have some incredible clients that I work with. You just never know when something will come up on their end that affects their budget or content needs.

So, I market myself. I continue to look for more amazing clients to work with. And, I network with other freelance writers in Facebook groups. Part of the business is getting your name out there, after all.

About two months into my time as a full-time freelancer mom, I realized that marketing took up a good chunk of my work time. I started setting aside time for it every week, just as I did with my writing projects. That helped keep me on task with writing and marketing more efficiently. The more I got myself involved with networking groups and my own website, the less time I had to spend on marketing. It semi-automates itself after a while.

Still, I don’t stop doing it. I still set aside a few hours per week for marketing tasks, whether it’s updating my blog, posting in groups, tweaking my portfolios, or pitching clients. I see it as a must-do for future career security, which is crucial to me as a mom.

Wrapping Up…

I’ve learned so much from my first year of working from home and balancing my new career with mommyhood. The lessons I mentioned here are just some of the most important things freelancing has taught me that I believe can help other mamas just starting out.

Feel free to fire away with any questions you have for me in a comment below! I’m glad to help.

Are you a full-time freelancer? Do you have some tips you’d like to share with other readers? Connect with me on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, or Instagram and keep the conversation rolling! Also, if you’re interested in contributing your freelancing story, I’d love to hear it. Click here to submit a guest post!

Amy Boyington

Amy is a mom of two, freelance writer, and blog manager who works with family-focused businesses to improve their content strategies. You can find her published work on Reader’s Digest Online, MSN, Niche, Frugal For Less, and other lifestyle publications.

amyboyington.com

Spread the love

Related posts:

This Is Why I’m Not Making New Year Resolutions for 2018 Believe It Or Not, Working from Home Isn’t All Cupcakes and Rainbows Stop Digging Through Scams: Here’s Where to Find Legitimate Work from Home Jobs what is freelance bloggingWhat is Freelance Blogging? Your Guide to Finding Freelance Blogging Jobs, Clients, and More No, You Don’t Need a Bachelor’s Degree in Business to Start an Online Business

Posted In: Blogging+Career

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Hello!

I’m Amy, a mom of two, and a former preschool teacher. I help parenting, education, and family-focused businesses and entrepreneurs reach their ideal clients through engaging blog posts and content. Follow this blog for resources on parenting, blogging, and building a business you love.

Trending Posts

  • The Real Effects of Using Negative Language with Kids
  • Remote Jobs for Moms: Virtual Assistant
  • 18 Awesome and Easy DIY Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Kids
  • How to Raise Freelance Rates Without Losing Your Best Clients
  • 14 Best Places to Make Custom Christmas Cards
  • 5 Signs You Need to Outsource Blog Writing and How to Do It
  • All the 2020 Black Friday Sales You Need to Know About as a Parent
  • How Busy Moms Can Make Money Writing and Publishing Books at Home
  • 2020 Holiday Gift Guide
  • 20 Fall Activities and Games for Kids

Recent Posts

63 Valentine’s Day Activities for Kids (Games, Crafts, and More!)

The Real Effects of Using Negative Language with Kids

Remote jobs for moms: Virtual Assistant

Remote Jobs for Moms: Virtual Assistant

  • Privacy & Cookie Policies
  • Disclosure
  • Contact

Search

  • Remote Jobs for Moms
  • Education
  • Special Needs
  • Guides
  • Product Reviews

amykboyington

Amy Boyington
My favorite little pup's 2nd birthday was yesterda My favorite little pup's 2nd birthday was yesterday.
.
He had a "party" complete with a dog-friendly cake and a special meal of meatloaf, potatoes, and his favorite - peas.
.
After he was done eating his goodies, he ran around the house before passing out on the couch 😂
.
Happy Birthday @nygma.the.shorkie !
Dinner🤤 Pan-seared tilapia with orzo, spinach, Dinner🤤 Pan-seared tilapia with orzo, spinach, tomato, and beans.
.
What's on your menu for tonight?
.
.
.
#healthylifestyle #healthyfood #healthyeats #health #whatsfordinner #instafood #foodie #foodphotography #eathealthy #healthyeating #tilapia #momlife #momlifestyle
We're a little late with our gingerbread decoratin We're a little late with our gingerbread decorating, but here it is in all its glory. 💚❤
.
.
.
#isitstillchristmas #gingerbreadhouse #gingerbread #bringbackchristmas #betterlatethannever #sweets #kidsactivities #kidactivity #familyfun #momlife #momsofinstagram #momswhofreelance #christmasdecorating
Your Saturday reminder💜☀️ . . . #positivity Your Saturday reminder💜☀️
.
.
.
#positivity #positivevibes #goodthingshappen #loveisreal #lifeisamazing #itwillgetbetter #itsgoingtobeokay #goodday #saturdayvibes #saturdaymorning #saturday #mood #saturdaymood
My dog @nygma.the.shorkie has his 2nd birthday com My dog @nygma.the.shorkie has his 2nd birthday coming up soon, and I think it's the cutest thing that @chewy sends a card each year.
.
It's such a simple way to reach out to customers, but it leaves a lasting impression. The notes are always personalized and genuine.
.
And Chewy has gone above and beyond in other ways, too. The one time I had an issue with an order getting lost (actually the shipping company's fault), Chewy sent me a whole new box of goodies to replace it...and had it at my door the next day!
.
It got me thinking: What companies have impressed you with their customer service? What makes you stick around as a lifelong customer?
.
.
.
#customerservice #keepingcustomershappy #happycustomer #businesslife #businessgoals #goals #puppylove #doglove #dogsofinstagram
It feels good starting my workday with a new calen It feels good starting my workday with a new calendar and planner. 
.
This year has already started off rocky for me and who knows what it'll bring. But the best I can do is keep being positive.
.
I'm hoping for amazing things for my family, my business, and myself.
.
What's your biggest goal for 2021?
.
.
.
#2021 #newplanner #businessplanner #businessgoals #mominbusiness #momming #momgoals #parenting #momlife #businesslife #womenownedbusiness #womensupportingwomen #goals #cleanslate #bigthingshappening #positivity
It's a brand new year, which makes it a perfect ti It's a brand new year, which makes it a perfect time for an introduction for those of you who are just finding me!
.
I'm Amy. I have two kids, ages 16 [just learning to drive 😰] and 8 [but if you ask him his age, he'll always give you the countdown to his next birthday 😅].
.
We also have a cat, Shiah, and a dog, Nygma [Batman fans will understand!]. You'll see their adorable faces pop up on my feed sometimes. Nygma even has his own account: @nygma.the.shorkie.
.
I live in Ohio but grew up on the Jersey shore [which is nothing like the TV show, thank you very much]. I might have salt water running through my veins 🤷‍♀️.
.
A few years ago, I left my preschool teaching job [which I loved, by the way] to start a business. I am now a blog manager and content writer for family-focused businesses, solopreneurs, and coaches. 
.
Basically, I work with brands with products and services that help parents, families, and kids. I write and manage their blogs and create content for their websites, email campaigns, products, social media, and more.
.
That's me in a nutshell! 😊 Have any questions for me? I'm happy to answer them! Leave a comment down below. 
.
Thanks for stopping by🖤.
Thank you @everyplate for letting me know that I c Thank you @everyplate for letting me know that I can grow my own green onions from previous scraps!
.
This tip was on a pack of green onions that came in one of my recent boxes.
.
Super easy to do and they grow in just a week or two.
.
Save those scraps, stick them in a cup of water, and watch them grow!
.
.
.
#growth #homegarden #indoorgarden #momlife #cooking #kitchen #plants #growingplants #greenonion #homecook #homegrown #kitchentips #cookingtips #indoorgardening #indoorgardeningtips #gardeningtips #food
This New Year's Eve certainly looks different. . [ This New Year's Eve certainly looks different.
.
[Well, for most people, anyway. I'm alone in my pj's like every other year 🤣]
.
But thank goodness for a new year.
.
Let's hope it brings positive changes for all. Happy 2021! 🍾 🥂 🎉 
.
.
.
#happynewyear #happynewyear2021 #newyearseve #newyear #2021 #bye2020 #goodriddance #positivechanges #goodtimes #goodvibes #cheers
"A daughter is someone you laugh with, dream with, "A daughter is someone you laugh with, dream with, and love with all your heart.” – Unknown
.
.
.
#motherdaughter
#motherdaughtergoals #daughters #daughter #bff #bestfriends #momlife #momblogger #daughterlove #daughtersarethebest #blessed #momblessings #parentingblogger #parenting #parentinggoals
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2021 Amy Boyington · Theme by 17th Avenue

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. If you continue to use the site, we assume you consent to our use of cookies. You can also adjust your browser's settings to stop websites from storing cookies. Accept Reject Read the Full Privacy and Cookie Policy
Privacy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.