Being a mom is hard. Being a divorced, single mom? It’s an entirely different world — and a world that, without Hay There Social Media, I would likely be swallowed up in.

On top of all the other changes, parenting solo brings a new dimension to life when it comes to figuring out your next career move:

• How can I make enough money to support my children?
• How can I maintain (or reclaim) my professional mojo?
• How can I have time to work AND raise my kids by myself (driving them to school, activities, etc.)?

I can happily say that because I have been working with Hay There Social Media, I didn’t have to worry about ANY of those questions. At all.

If you’re going through a divorce, newly divorced, or trying to navigate how to work when the kids can’t have in-person school, empower yourself to take a leap and start your own business with Hay There Social Media — it isn’t as scary as it sounds!

From reporter to stay-at-home mom to working from home…

I used to be a newspaper reporter. I loved my job…and then the newspaper world kind of hit the skids. I ended up deciding to start freelancing for a while, and then when my daughter was born I didn’t work for several months.

I never thought I’d be a stay-at-home mom. I need to work — for the intellectual stimulation, growth, and productivity. And I wanted to write. But I didn’t want to give up time with my daughter. So I started a tiny momlife blog for myself (because that’s what we did back then).

After being a stay-at-home for about nine months, I decided I wanted to go back to work — but I didn’t want to have to go into an office each day. I explored available jobs, but none of them seemed like the right fit for me.

Through my blog, I made a contact with the wonderful Lauren Weber of Mrs. Weber’s Neighborhood. She, in turn, told me about an opportunity writing for Hay There Social Media. I met the amazing founder, Emily A. Hay, and my life was forever changed.

How I “Work Flexibly” with Hay There Social Media

I started out just working around 10 hours a week for Hay There Social Media, so I could use my “professional” thinking brain a bit. So I was able to work a couple hours each day, during naps or in the evenings.

As time went on, I picked up more clients and started working more hours — but flexibly, on my own time.

What does that mean, exactly?

Working flexibly means that I worked WHEN I wanted to: During naptime, independent playtime, preschool, or visits to grandma’s house. Little spurts throughout the day, and bigger chunks in the morning, evenings or weekends as needed.

I had deadlines to meet each week, but for the most part WHEN I did the work didn’t matter as long as it was done. So that meant I was able to go on playdates, head to the park, do library storytime, take my daughter to gymnastics or preschool and bond and teach her all day — and still make dinner, go grocery shopping, and take care of all the household tasks.

At one point, I interviewed for — and landed — a really exciting writing job that could’ve propelled my career forward exponentially…but it required me to be in an office every day. I declined the job, even though it was an exciting opportunity. Then my previous newspaper editor called me and asked if I wanted my reporter job back. I also declined that opportunity, even though I missed the thrill of learning and being a reporter — but the time I’d have to spend away from home wouldn’t have been worth it.

And I’m thankful I said “no” to those opportunities. Little did I know how much everything happens for a reason…

Parenting Solo and Working After Divorce

When I got divorced, nothing really changed. I picked up more clients with Hay There Social Media so I was working full-time for the income I needed to support my daughter and myself — but I didn’t have to be away from my daughter, and I maintained the work flexibility.

And when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, I was fortunate because I didn’t have to scamper and wonder what I would do for childcare — since my daughter couldn’t go to elementary school while I worked. We set up a routine where I worked for a bit in the mornings while she did school or an independent activity (lots of slime-making and some screens), then I worked sporadically throughout the day and after bedtime.

Sometimes I’m up until 1 a.m. working if we’ve had fun summer days where we spent the whole day at the beach, but I’ve been doing this for so long now that I’m fully immersed in the Work+Life Integration Nation™ and things flow nicely with the work-from-home schedule I’ve created for myself.

It can for you, too!

Empower Yourself: Join our Team!

Being divorced can be scary for a plethora of reasons, but when it comes to supporting yourself financially with kids, it doesn’t have to be — if you’re on our team at Hay There Social Media.

Join the Work+Life Integration Nation™ and change your life! We’ll be right by your side every step of the way when you start your own social media business, supporting and guiding you as you navigate down this new road. (That’s what “nation” means: We’re your village.)

Even if you haven’t been in the working world for a long time, don’t fret! You have a TON of “mom skills” that easily translate into professional skills that can help you start your own business.

I promise.

Trust in yourself.