WAHM Forums

What field of work were you in before you decided to WAH? Did you enjoy it? Would you go back? Or do you think you are going to WAH from this point on?

Before I worked from home, I was in food service. I was either waitressing, or working behind the counter at food places (coffee shops,fast food) always customer service.

A LOT of work, and being treated horribly by customers (ok, not always, they liked me mostly, but heaven forbid you just get a miserable person.) for little money.

In our town, the employers know they can abuse you, too, because there's always someone behind you in line to take your job.

It was stressful, weekends were mandatory, odd hours mandatory, and no one ever wants to hire full time, because it costs their business more (in taxes and benefits... if they even offer benefits. )

I never want to have to go back to working outside of the house. Life was stressful, and sad.

I was an engineer at a Department of Energy nuclear weapons lab for 25 years before taking an early retirement after my investments took off. My last position was project lead for a multi-platform fuzing radar currently in the stockpile. I loved the work, but my last manager and I didn't see eye-to-eye. I might have stayed longer if I had to, but I didn't, so I waved as I walked out. OK ...it wasn't exactly a "wave" :D

I don't want to go back to the rat race now that I have had a taste of doing things on my own schedule for the past 5 years.

I worked in the IT field a number of years. It was rewarding and challenging at the same time :eek:

For the most part, I enjoyed my jobs. Always in administrative type jobs. I was in Purchasing for about 10 years. then I got into document control for ISO certifications for businesses. the last place i worked, it was good and not so good. I could pretty much do as i wish, as long as the IT department was running smooth and my programs ran fine. but it was in southeast TN and, well , the men there where sooo sexist and racist in that town, it just made me sick.
So, I set out to grow my WAH jobs to be able to do it full time, and here I am. Right now, I dont see me going back in anyway to work for someone else. I love being able to take days off when ever I want, the kids and grandkids love that too. I thank God and my hubby for his support everyday. Im sure they are both very proud of me

I managed a Human Resources Department for 16 years. I loved what I did but it eventually took a toll (with every promotion came more headaches and less of a personal life) and I just got sick and tired of the office politics. The money was nice but the price tag was just too high!! I'll never go back.

Waitressed in so many restaurants from burger joints to gorgeous NYC re$taurant$....blah.... Thank God I found what I do now!! More money in less time!

I worked as an accountant in a funeral home. It wasn't bad but I prefer staying at home with my little ones. I missed out on so much when they were in daycare.

I think this is one of the most interesting threads I've read in a long long time. I just LOVE hearing everyone stories, and all the different backrounds...

thanks for sharing, ladies... :) I'm really enjoying this!

I have done medical billing for years. I even tried to turn that to WAH and do my own thing, but I could not get many doctors to give me the chance. I would never go back to it. At the time, I really liked it, but being a stay at home mom and working at home for three years, I realized it was just beurocracy (i think I spelled that right...lol) Now, I do some surveys at PTC, have a recent but blooming Tupperware business, and work around my schedule. I think once you've had the priveledge of working at home, you never want to go back to the rat race.

I worked in HR for a long period but enjoyable as it was, I looked for a new challenge one that would allow me to work from home and enjoy life with my daughter.

I felt like Al Bundy. Sold shoes (however it was a high end store), came home to wife (red head) and kids. That was a sweet job, with one of the bets benefits package I've ever seen. But after the manager who hired me left, working with the new manager (she brought in her own staff) wasn't easy. I guess I should give her partial credit for what I do today! I'd probably still be selling shoes.

I used to work as a teacher, but not now, and I doubt it if I ever return to school, that's just not for me

I have been a partner with my husband for 15 years doing drywall finishing, painting, etc (yuck!). I also owned a tanning salon for 4 years which I loved, but it was very difficult running 2 businesses at the same time, and I was going through employees like crazy (sticky fingers on the cash register). I think I will love doing this once I start seeing some money coming in, I'm just starting out in this. plus I can still help run the family business without hiring out. thanks for all the wonderful advice on here - I love the site!

I was a flooring installer

Almost 95% of the Costa Rican population are of Spanish or Mestizo (mixed) heritage, heavily influencing the country's cooking style. Costa Rica's traditionally mild, not over-spiced cuisine usually features rice and beans, which are also the main ingredients in the national recipe, gallo pinto.

i was a sales consultant before, i worked in a sewing thread company where most of the time i go to my clients who's businesses have something to do with clothes either for import or export. it is somewhat exciting because i got the chance to go to different places i've never been to. but with this kind of climate, where it's very hot i dont feel like doing that job again. happy to be at home with my family.

I taught modern Hebrew.

i am a service receptionist before. i worked in a car company. i attend to clients need and make sure to get the information on what job to be done in their vehicle...i miss doing that...

I am a Nursing graduate and board exam passer before WAH. I'm loving it a lot because I can manage my time very very well and I can spend most of my time with my love ones without compromising anything.

I am an Account Executive of Display Advertising before WAH. Although I miss those times, I am very very happy with my work now online. I can work on my client's request at the comfort of my home. Perfect!

I'm a web designer, so my work has stayed the same, just the location is different. Once the kids are in school I'll probably try to find some kind of in-office part time job. It's nice having the flexibility of WAH, but I miss being around grownups some of the time!

I am a registered Radiologic Technologist but no longer work in that field. I liked my job OK, I oversaw the x-ray departments at 10 different clinics and was the lead tech at my site but was bored with my job worn out by the time I had my first child 10 years ago. I started in Direct Sales just over 5 years ago and don't see myself going back to Radiology in the future, I love what I currently do too much. :)

Amanda

I worked in retail for one of the worst big box retailers in the world.I am just thankful I got out when I did,the stress was killing me.

Rhonda

WAH can be an advantage to those who have kids because they can work at the same time have time with their kids while they are at home, that's why a lot of them shift to normal office girl to being a freelancer. ..especially to those who prioritize their family more than anything.

I did a little bit of everything. For a year before I stopped working outside of my home I was an Account Manager/Inside Sales for a Safety/Gas Company and I sold Safety Supplies.

Pharmacy Technician / Safety Manager for a home infusion company.
I do NOT miss the long hours or working under florescent lights!
AVON - take me AWAY.................

Bonnie
Avon Executive Unit Leader

I was at high school ... :)

I am happy to read great stories here of transition from normal job to WAH and great know that everyone is happy with it. I do :)

I was in purchasing for a manufacturing company. I loved what I did and would most definitely go back for the right offer. The company I worked for decided to close our plant and relocate it. I am learning the WAH thing now. I hope this works out.

I had my own massage therapy practice for 11 yrs. Loved it and miss my clients dearly, but it was very physically demanding over time.

I was in the retail grocery business. It was my first and only job! I started when I was 17 and just retired at the end of Dec. '09 after almost ten years of service.
I enjoyed my job for the most part, unless you got one of those miserable people that aren't happy with life and want to make everyone else miserable too!
I decided to WAH when we got pregnant with our second son, who was born in January.
I don't want to go back. I LOVE being a WAHM and want my business to really take off so I can continue to stay at home with my boys:)