5 Reasons Young Moms Should Consider Working From Home

I can't stress exactly how much I enjoy being a work-at-home mom. Young moms have a one up when it comes to working from home and being with their children. There are a few great reasons that as a young mom, you should consider working at home:

1. If you are in school or have other obligations, you don't want to be outside of your home to work as well. Imagine being a full time or even part time student and having to go to work as well. You'll never get to see your kids let alone enjoy yourself. Working from home gives you the schedule flexibility to enjoy your kids and some mommy time.


2. As I mentioned, you get to spend more time getting to know your little ones. You don't want a daycare provider experiencing your child's firsts. Being a work-at-home mom gives you the ability to solely raise your children and the money you need.


3. Avoiding daycare and gas costs is one of the main reasons why being a work-at-home mom is so lucrative. Both of these together along with food, shelter and clothes will leave any mom impoverished. Save on these expenses please, you'll be a happy camper.


4. Most work at home markets are extremely lucrative when you keep at it and are persistent. As a young mom, I'm making the assumption that other than your kids and housing fees you have no huge bills or obligations. This gives you time to perfect your craft and find something that you absolutely love.


5. The money is great for those of us who don't need much to survive. At entry level, some of the work-at-home markets bring in close to $20,000 a year. This boils down to about $1,300 a month (roughly) after Uncle Sam. At a young age, this is probably good money for you, I know it is for me. However, for most work-at-home opportunities it is simple to increase your earnings as you control the ball.

In the next post I will asses some of the fears associated with breaking into the work-at-home market as well as some of my own issues with being a work-at-home mom. Next week will be WAHM (Work at Home Mom) week. I will explore different work-at-home opportunities that may interest you and where you can find other resources for choosing a work-at-home career. Until then, hold the babies tight.

With Love,

Ugh, Change Your Clothes

Some moms believe that being able to work and stay at home all day long with your kids is great, which for the most part it is. You get to see your kids all day long, you can work where you're comfortable and you can chill in the pj's all day. Hoooooooooowever, the pj thing starts to get a little old, literally. Seriously, I'm so sick of wearing my pajamas everyday and not changing into real clothes that it's starting to disgust me. I lounge around all day like I have no where to go--well I don't but that's not the point. So hears the thing you stay at home and work at home moms, CHANGE YOUR CLOTHES. Now I'm not talking about taking a shower and just changing pajamas, I mean change into real clothes, clothes that make you feel good about yourself. I can't tell you how many times I walk past the mirror and think, ugh you look a mess. So ladies, make it a routine to do your hair, well at least comb and brush it in the morning, brush your teeth and change your clothes every morning. I understand things can get a little hectic but you'll be a happier mommy if you feel better about you.

Staying in the house all day can be a luxury for some but for me, it's starting to get old. Another suggestion for those moms stuffed in the house is to take a walk or a drive every once and a while. Don't just change your clothes for nothing. Take a break from whatever you do during the day, even if you have take the kids, and walk around the block for some fresh air or drive to the mall for a stroll--window shopping most of the time in my case. Whatever makes you feel brand new when you wake up, do it. You deserve every little selfish moment you take.

Take a well deserved breather,

Amari Turns 3-Months-Old!

I almost forgot to add that today marks my son Amari's 3-month birthday! It seems like he's older, his personality is really starting to shine through! He smiles, coo's, grunts, kicks, squeels and laughs at everything I do. I love this guy! As his dad always says, he's so cool! It's amazing how much he's grown though. He's a hefty 13 pounds and feels like a ton. He even stands up--with my help of course. I love to see him grow and I'm so glad I was able to take the summer semesters off from school to spend time with my precious new baby. I'm so blessed. I remember when he was just a newborn. Now I can barely carry the carseat by myself!

Can any of you remember when your kids were just babies?

Enjoying Every Moment,

Tierra

Young Mom of the Week Interview Questions

In the opening post of The Life & Style of a Young Mom, I mentioned that I want to highlight exceptional young moms that go beyond one dimensional motherhood. I am ready to launch the new Young Mom of the Week posts, however, I need your help with what the criteria for each spotlighted mom should be. I need to create an interview/application form and so far, the tentative questions/criteria include:

• Moms should currently be participating in 2 or more of the following-- motherhood (a must), some form of education in or after high school, pursuing a career or community service
• Highlighted moms should be in some form or another an influence in their community
• Should be creating and accomplishing long term goals to create a better future for them and their families
• Each mom should be able to tell how what they are doing now is influencing their future
• Display their sense of fashion in some way or another
• This is where you come in . . . ?

I don't want to set the standards too high yet, I want the criteria and chosen moms to be an example and motivation to others.

If you have any suggestions for further criteria or questions OR you have suggestions for the Young Mom of the Week, please submit a comment below or email me at tierra_filhiol@yahoo.com.

With Love,

Tierra

Co-Sleeping: I Need to Get My Son Out of My Bed

After I gave birth to my son Amari, I was in pain. Like real pain. I couldn't even think about going up and down the stairs let alone walking my son to his crib 4 times a night, so I tried co-sleeping. . .and it worked! A little too well, now I can't get him out of my bed.

Amari is 3 months old tomorrow and I really want my space back. I'm completely healed but as much as I want my own bed back, I can't seem to leave him in his room all night. For one reason, he doesn't sleep well in the crib. Every time I put him in there he stays sleep for about a half hour to an hour and then wakes up screaming. So I resort back to the co-sleeping thing and just tell myself that it's not time. How could it not be time though, some babies sleep in their cribs from day one?

Co-sleeping is also easier for me especially since he's still breastfeeding about twice during the night. We have a routine; he wakes up, kicks the crap out of me, cries a little, then I roll over and pick him up, pop him on and go straight back to La La Land. I don't even think I wake up half of the time!

Ugh, I don't want him to be five, I'm married and can't have any "alone" time with my husband because I've gotten him so used to co-sleeping that he is unable to sleep alone. I am not an enabler, I am not an enabler.

If anyone has any suggestions on how to get my son out of my bed I am all ears. I know it won't be easy but I know I've got to do it NOW!

I'm Putting My Boyfriend on Child Support!

Well, I'm not but the State of Michigan is trying to make me file child support claims against him. It's ridiculous. Last month, I applied for Medicaid for my son due to my dad's health insurance refusing to cover him because he's not my dad's dependent, ugh! Well, he was approved for Healthy Kids health insurance program through the State, a medicaid program where I don't have any co-pays or anything and still receive all the care he needs. Great, right? Not so much!

Last week I finally received all the paper work for the health insurance and along with them, I received threatening papers saying that I had to file suit against my boyfriend (also my son's father) for child support actions. What, I think not! My boyfriend and I, with the help of our families, take very good care of my son. He's fed, clothed and warm everyday so why should I have to put him on child support? Furthermore, why should I be threatened by someone who hasn't even cared to exam my individual situation. Well, the State of Michigan threatens that if I do not cooperate with them to determine legal paternity and collect child support payments that they may refuse benefits for my son!

I was completely furious and clueless about what to do until I read the contract CAREFULLY. It says (in so many words) that they may refuse or reduce benefits in all areas however, Medicaid coverage will not be affected. Since that's what I need for my son, I WILL NOT be filing child support against my boyfriend. However what does this mean for mothers who need other services like bridge cards and other government aid.

If it comes between the general welfare of our kids, I think the best thing to do is to comply with whatever the State is asking within limits. Your kids need food, shelter, clothes, health insurance and most of all love. If your significant other is taking care of business and giving you all the support you need but for the mere fact that you two do not live together, the State wants you to put him on child support, make sure that he understands that it's for the good of your family and not at all an insult to him. If he is the man you think he is, he will understand. Honestly, if they would have told me that I couldn't get health insurance for my son if I didn't choose to file child support against my boyfriend, I would have to reconsider my decision to cooperate. Ladies, be sure to carefully read all paper work your state sends you and ask questions if you do not understand the terms and conditions.

Think first of your children, put your pride last,

Tierra

Jamie Lynn Spears & Baby Pose for OK!

It was back in December when Jamie Lynn Spears announced her pregnancy in the pages of OK! magazine. Obviously with her being 17 years old, her pregnancy got more attention due to her age. However, this is not what annoyed me. I was more so annoyed by the sheer fact of how the media insisted on comparing her to her sister Britney. The smartest thing Jamie Lynn did was to come forth and initiate her press release. Instead of the paparazzi knocking down her door and finding out by chance, she went to OK! and declared she was indeed pregnant with her now fiancé Casey Alridge's baby. This is probably the most responsible thing to do as a young mother-to-be in the public eye. Though she got a huge backlash and a lot of speculation she came forth as a young, responsible woman, who admitted her "error in judgement" and basically said that she is going to take care of her baby no matter what. I was so proud of her and I'm not even a fan!

Now, my main concern is her still living her life. She's proclaimed since day one that she wants to raise her baby in her home state of Louisiana where the focus is family and that is what's most important. Agreed, however, what I've witnessed is that most young mothers and mothers-to-be vary between two extremes; they either stereotypically act irresponsibly as though they don't have any kids or all of a sudden turn into a "Stepford Wife" ignoring all of her youthful ambitions. Can't there be a happy medium?

As Jamie Lynn poses on the cover of OK! with just 3-week-old baby girl, Maddie Briann Aldridge, she looks like a poised, down-home southern belle. The only thing teenage about her is the pink and bubbly colors on the cover. I just hope that she finds herself somewhere in between teenager and soccer mom and just remembers to keep her initial goals in mind. It is so easy for her to get lost in this new world of mommyhood because she does have money. It's not like she has to work or struggle to get to where she needs for her family. She's already got a house (I'm assuming a pretty big one), a fiancé and a baby all at the age of 17. It's not that her life is over but if she doesn't watch it, it could get pretty boring. I have young friends who marry young and divorce early merely because they don't go into their situation realizing that marriage is supposed to be forever. I wish her the best of luck and hope that she maintains that poise and responsibility for her family's sake (because the media added to Britney's family break up) while keeping a glimmer of girl for her future's sake.

Youthfully yours,

Tierra