Work from home ideas???

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Hi Moms! I am currently 35 weeks pregnant and have been on bedrest basically my whole pregnancy. I know I only have a few weeks left, if that, but I have been sitting so long I feel like I've become part of the bed. Just an extra lump in the matress!!! LOL! Anway, even after my son is born, I wont be going back to work probably until hes at least close to 1 year old. DH wants me to wait as long as possible. At this point I am so desperate I would work selling used napkins just to have something to do. There is NO way I will make it through another month, let alone a whole year without doing something. Plus I really miss the extra money. Poor DH is working so hard to take care of us, but any little bit I could do would surely help. I thought about selling avon, but then again Im not sure I know enough people that would buy it for it to be worth it. I already sold pampered chef 2 years ago but had to quit after a few months because I ran out of people to buy and could not for the life of me book any new shows after i went through the network of people I know.

What kind of things do you ladies do from home to make money? Any ideas of ways for me to make money? Please only suggest things you have actually tried or personally know someone who has tried.

I appreciate your feedback and can't wait to read your answers! Thanks!

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Permalink Reply by Lisa Survillas on September 28, 2008 at 9:11pm: I love my company!!! Check it out...www.symmetrydirect.com/lsurvillas. It is a vitamin supplement company. I love to learn about nutrition and I love to watch the way nutrition can change lives!! It is a rewarding and supportive company and I LOVE being a part of it!! =) Good luck!! And sorry bout the bedrest, I understand you are restless, but keep thinking about that bundle of JOY on the way!! It will be worth it in the end.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Elizabeth Elliott on September 29, 2008 at 3:29pm: I would suggest you wait for the baby to arrive before you begin making plans or selectiong a company. You have no idea what your schedule oo your life will look like once the baby comes. If you rush into a business now, you might pick something you will regret later. Don't forget the reason you are on bed rest is so you can - rest. You need to rest your spirit, soul, body and mind.

Just a thought.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kristine on September 29, 2008 at 10:33pm: I know this won't really be a big source of cash, but one of my clients is rewarding advocates for spreading the word about their recently launched site. If you have a network of friends that have kids 9-17 and think they might be interested in their kids joining the first "creeper filtered" social networking site only for 9-17 yo's (no adults) then let me know and I will send you the info. I think the program is still in development or I would give you the details right now.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lisa Survillas on September 29, 2008 at 10:40pm: When you have details, do send along. My daughter and her friends would love a safe place to chat. =)

Kristine said:
I know this won't really be a big source of cash, but one of my clients is rewarding advocates for spreading the word about their recently launched site. If you have a network of friends that have kids 9-17 and think they might be interested in their kids joining the first "creeper filtered" social networking site only for 9-17 yo's (no adults) then let me know and I will send you the info. I think the program is still in development or I would give you the details right now.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Erin on October 1, 2008 at 4:35pm: Thank you for the ideas ladies and thank you too Elizabeth for pointing out a very Big and important fact. I have very much considered that and do need to wait until after Elijah is born to decide on where my professional and working life will go. It is very hard to go from a very independant, stable, career oriented, professional woman, to a stay a home mom. Did anyone else have a hard time accepting the change? I know I am about to take on the most important and most rewarding job in the world, but still am not sure tototally how to handle this "career change."; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dawn Peterman on October 1, 2008 at 4:39pm: If you enjoy working with children, a wonderful business is Noah's Ark Animal Workshops (the company that I work with). It is a traveling stuff-n-fluff workshop for children of all ages. You can take a look at it through my NAAW website.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Michelle Trent on October 1, 2008 at 4:47pm: Hi Erin,

Just a couple of thoughts:

Keep your resume on Craigslist. I have been hired from 6 companies over the past 4 years.

Also, put your resume on Net Temps.

Any local businesses who might need leads?

Call and offer to get them a lead for $25 + commission if it sells. I have done this with local Home Improvement companies, local hotels for events (weddings, expos, etc). Insurance companies are ALWAYS looking for leads to give estimates. Set up appointments.

Good Luck!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Michelle Trent on October 1, 2008 at 4:48pm: Hi again, Erin,

Write a children's book!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Erin on October 2, 2008 at 2:43pm: More great ideas! I love the children's book idea michelle! That would def be something down my alley! I could illustrate it myself too... just need to come up with a good topic! hehe Thats something I can do at home, at my own pace! So i really like that idea.

When I go back to work outside the home I will either be going back to the government or management. I have great experience and education with a BA in digital/graphic design & specialized technology and also a BA in Criminal Justice and the job I just left really wants me back when I decide to. My only problem is finding something I can do at home on my free time after the baby is born. I want to stay home and still earn money, I want to be able to spend the time with Elijah and not have to work harder at home than i would out.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lisa on October 3, 2008 at 3:11am: First of all, congrats on the new baby! I have three, and was on strict bedrest with my last, so I know how you're feeling right now.

I also think its great that you want to stay home with your son, and though it can take a while, if you really put your heart and soul into finding the best at home job for you, it can be done.

I just wanted to add my 2 cents for all its worth, as I've been working at home for 4+ years and it took 3 of those to start a business that actually makes money. Just reading your last post made me cringe a little because so many women fall into the "I want to work at home, but only when it's convenient for me" trap. Yes, this is possible, but if you are serious about making money and contributing to your household income while you are working from home, there is no *free* time. Especially when you have children.

Case in point: I have a great friend who sells Pampered Chef. She works just as hard at that as she does her full time job, while raising 2 kids and a husband. She does at least 5 shows a week just to make some money at it, and her PC check is never enough to pay more than groceries and gas.

I started my own company and work 70 hours a week at this business, plus I work the equivalent of a full time job between two part-time (out of the home) jobs. Why? To make sure there is enough coming in all the time. While my own company could support me, I need to have the reassurance right now that money will flow in no matter what.

I'm bringing this up because I don't want you to feel like you can start an at-home job and make immediate money, without having to invest any extra time to it. I know all the work-at-home ads want you to believe that you can just sign-up with someone or start a business and make tons of money & have all the free time in the world to spend with your kids. I think many moms who have started businesses would disagree.

So this being said, first of all, enjoy the time with your new son when he arrives! What a blessing and you will be just consumed with loving him and caring for him. Then, later, think long and hard about what would make you happy in a business and weigh your options. It can be done, as long as you have an open mind that working from home is never fast income, and never easy.

Good luck!

Lisa; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lori on October 3, 2008 at 5:19am: I made the change from professional working mom to stay at home mom over 20 years ago, so I'm sure alot has changed in the working world. The hardest part was just being home, but I will say that I enjoyed it immensely and it was the best decision that I ever made. The nice was that I also had hobbies - crocheting, cross stitching, plus I love to read so I was able to find something to do with my downtime besides laundry, cleaning, cooking, etc. Just remember it's an adjustment just having a little one so enjoy your time and things will fall into place.

Erin said:
Thank you for the ideas ladies and thank you too Elizabeth for pointing out a very Big and important fact. I have very much considered that and do need to wait until after Elijah is born to decide on where my professional and working life will go. It is very hard to go from a very independant, stable, career oriented, professional woman, to a stay a home mom. Did anyone else have a hard time accepting the change? I know I am about to take on the most important and most rewarding job in the world, but still am not sure tototally how to handle this "career change."; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Nicole Dean on October 3, 2008 at 7:46am: There are so many ways to make money at home. Face painting, blogging, tutoring, being a virtual assistant... are just a few of the hundreds of options available to you. And, of course there is Direct Sales & ecommerce, too.

Here's a site with some ideas --> Home Business Ideas for Moms; ▶ Reply to This