Ma Maven | The Mom Without A Manual

Let’s begin by adding to the running list, which I have used to define the many hats I’ve worn throughout my motherhood journey, working again mom. Yup, you’ve read that correctly, I will no longer be considered a stay-at-home-mom by societal definition as I am making my way back to the salon. As much as I love being able to stay at home 24/7 with my children, my family and I have come to realize the intricacies of life have brought us into a season where all working hands on deck is a must. If not we might find ourselves taken overboard by the waves of inflation. Not just financially, mentally, and physically, we try to keep our heads above water and on a dry vessel.

I know all too well about a personal challenge wiping out my livelihood. A debilitating condition presented its fair share of challenges. The pain I was experiencing had become so physically taxing over time I was forced to call it quits, putting down my comb and shears. Here I was, a newlywed with a young child saying goodbye to the career I’d spent years building as a beautician. Crushed to let my clients go but I had to do it because as a solo-preneur the days I couldn’t get out of the bed outnumbered the amount of work I had on my plate.

What was even harder was having to make a major shift in my lifestyle and figure out what I could actually do with my newfound availability other than laying on the couch feeling sorry or worthless.

With a snap of two fingers, I went from being a working citizen who had a 40-plus-hour- work schedule to someone who just sat at home. Someone whose, at the time only child, was home part-time, and whose husband had to work a double shift to pick up where I was now lacking. What was I to do?

Before my two youngest babies made their earthly appearance, I leaned into my creative hobbies like buying yarn, crocheting, and making jewelry to keep my hands moving. Once I could get out of bed more physically I started to go outside for walks and more recently roller skate. These activities have been filling up my days of being home.

When I wasn’t ready to commit to an ongoing workload I made a few dollars from selling my handmade crafts at vending events and utilizing apps like FieldAgent, ProductTube, and Ibotta. Now that I’m gearing up to head back to the hustle I find myself having to set aside some of my hobbies. Prioritizing time spent with my husband and children even more since they will not have the same access to me as they’ve grown accustomed to.

Am I sad about it? Quite frankly, no. My heart has always been willing to work. Early in my working career, I consistently maintained two jobs at a time. That had been the norm for me until I finished beauty school and received my cosmetology license.

I’m thankful to not be pigeon held as a stay-at-home mom. I believe this experience is showing me the freedom that I have to set something down for a season because there is a greater need and pick it back up because I still possess the skills to do so.

I feel like a modern-day Proverbs 31 woman. I’ve somewhat believed she was solely a Barabra-Gene keeping the house and kids clean kind of woman. More recently I’ve realized how she did so and much more. She, like myself, worked with her hands. Whether it was to clothe her children, buy some property, make a meal, or turn a profit. She was a woman who knew what season she was in and got things done based on what was needed.

Though, I may not exactly know what our lives will look like because I’m living this “return to work” thing out in real-time. I know I’ll have more “working-mom trying to balance it all” stories to share. I am excited to do my part because it’s what is necessary for my family.