The Working SAHM: My Journey to Being a Working SAHM (and Why Not Every SAHM Journey Looks the Same)
I know, I know—some people might say I’m not a “true” stay-at-home mom. But here’s the thing: if you are a mom who is caring for children and managing the household in some capacity—whether you send your kids to daycare, work a business on the side, or are full-time at home—you qualify as a SAHM in my book. And it’s a proud title to wear. Don’t be shy about it, because it is one of the hardest jobs in the world.
When I decided to step away from my stable full-time job to focus on my kids and build a business, people looked at me like I’d lost my mind. Why would I walk away from insurance and benefits for something so uncertain? The answer starts with my first love: doula work. But really, it started even earlier.
Burning Out in Childcare
During COVID, I worked in childcare. The days were long, exhausting, and isolating. Parents weren’t allowed in the room, so I had little to no connection with them. On top of that, I was caring for eight babies all day and then going home to care for my toddler. It was relentless, and my mental health was suffering.
I knew something had to change. I wanted my work to matter in a deeper way, so I earned my doula certification and started my first business. When we moved to a new home, we pulled Garon from childcare, and suddenly I was a full-time stay-at-home mom with a budding business.
Pregnancy, Postpartum, and Pivoting
This was the season when I chose motherhood over midnight birth calls and leaned into being fully present.
When I became pregnant with my second, I wrapped up my doula clients and planned to return when she was older. But the idea of leaving my baby in the middle of the night for births didn’t sit right with me. So, I didn’t dive back in.
That’s when BODi entered my life. It promised flexibility, income, and a healthier lifestyle. And while it gave me the gift of a more active, healthier life, the business side was another story. I poured more money in than I ever made. My husband was honestly relieved when they shut the partner program down.
Finding My True Path
This certificate wasn’t just paper—it was proof that my struggles had led me here, to helping other women find themselves again.
At that point, I didn’t know what was next. Jorie was home part-time, Garon was in full-time childcare, and I felt lost. But I realized the thing I loved most about BODi wasn’t the sales—it was helping women find themselves again. That’s when I knew I wanted to become a Health and Wellness Coach.
Both kids went full-time into daycare for a while, which gave me space to manage our home and complete my certification. I even decided to keep going and pursue personal training, because I believe women deserve fitness programming tailored to our unique needs.
When Life Shifts (Again)
Just as I was wrapping up my certification and planning to start my personal training studies, life threw another curveball: Garon was removed from childcare. Suddenly, I was back to being a full-time SAHM with both kids home.
The past month has been wild, but come September, Garon will start kindergarten, Jorie will head back into childcare (where she thrives), and I’ll finally have the space to finish my personal training certification.
You can also read more about that tough decision when Garon was removed from childcare here.
My Story, Not the Only Story
So that’s a quick history of what brought me to this role as a working SAHM. My journey isn’t linear, and it doesn’t look like anyone else’s—and that’s the point. Not every SAHM journey looks the same, and that’s something to embrace.
Next week, I’ll be diving into why society looks down on stay-at-home moms and how we can reframe the narrative to honor how amazing this role really is.
For now, I’d love to hear your story. What does being a SAHM look like for you? Share in the comments below or email me at jessica@bravelybecomingyou.com. Who knows—you might even connect with another mom walking a similar path.
XOXO,
Jessica
SAHM and Proud of It