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Nov23
More Work at Home Myths
I had to chuckle as I read this post at the Mom Coming Home blog earlier this week. Her conversation with a family member about working from home sounds all too familiar.

One of the biggest frustrations for work-from-home moms (WAHMs) is the lack of understanding they get from non-home-based friends and family members. Some friends and family members still act as though WAHMs have somehow cleverly managed to find a way to get paid for doing nothing at all. (Believe me if working from home was THAT easy, everyone would be doing it.)

It's hard to believe that some people still don't understand that working from home is work. It seems that more workplaces than ever offer flexible working arrangements and that there are more and more opportunities to freelance. However, I guess some people need to experience working from home firsthand before they "get it."

We've dealt with this topic on Work From Home Momma before when we examined the myths surrounding telecommuting, the supermom work from home myth, and myths surrounding multi-level marketing.
WAHM-as-Myth.jpg Several blogs have now begun to systematically debunk the myths that surround working from home. Two of those blogs are the HomeBizNotes blog and the Contract Worker blog. If you want to feel vindicated (or are just needing some help in setting someone straight about what it is that you do), you'll want to check out these posts.

Home business myths debunked on HomeBizNotes so far include:
  1. Home Business Owners Don't Have Expert Knowledge

  2. Independent Contracting is an Easy Way to Make Big Money

  3. You Can Do What You Like Because You're The Boss

  4. You Work From Home So You Must Be Free All The Time

  5. You Set The Hours You Work
Freelance myths debunked on Contract Worker so far include:
  1. It's Easy to be a Contract Worker

  2. Your Portfolio Should be Made Up of Previous Projects

  3. Mondays are Dreary

  4. You can't be a Freelancer and Hold a Day Job at the Same Time

  5. Those Who Can't Do, Teach

  6. Working at Home isn't Productive

  7. Working at Home Means You Can Sleep in All the Time
If you've ever had to face someone who just couldn't believe that you really have work to do, you'll enjoy reading these posts.

What about you? What work-at-home myths have you faced?

Leave us a comment and let us know.

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10 Comments/Trackbacks




Thanks for mentioning our Home Biz Notes Myth Busted Series, Laura.

What I'm finding interesting is that we can all identify so much with each myth submitted. It seems these myths are widespread.

I think the myth series is a great way for home business owners to see how to overcome these misperceptions.

» Do Your Clients Take You Seriously? from WorkFromHomeMomma

Do you ever feel that you are not taken seriously because you are a WAHM? Many work-at-home moms ask: should I divulge that I am a work-at-home mom to a client or a potential client?

[Read More]

Thanks for the mention Laura!

These myths are widespread. I wonder if some of it stems from resentment...people who may want to wah but aren't for because of fear. Fear of approaching their boss, or starting a business, etc.

I appreciate the links...I plan on reading through these tonight.

~Maura

Hi Maura!

That's a pretty good insight. I hadn't thought about resentment being the root of all the work-at-home myths. I had assumed it was ignorance. Thanks for pointing that out.

Hi Maura.
Wow. I started blogging a few months ago, and posting my thoughts regarding this. I was poking around the internet (because I am a WAHM, I have nothing better to do). And found your blog. Thank you.

Here's my post on blogger.
http://maniamom.blogspot.com/2007/12/no-experience-necessary-myth-of-wahm.html

Hi Maniamom!

I took a look at your post. I think you make some excellent points. Many people cling to the myth about working from home and refuse to embrace the reality.

Hi Laura.
Thanks!
Sorry, I called you Maura... typo!
Best,
Maniamom.

It's okay

I've been called worse. ;-)

Hi i would like to get some information about working at home.

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