When we reach adulthood, we’re presented with choices in how we wish to live our lives.  A lot of those choices are based on family upbringing and environmental factors.  One of the best things about being alive during this day and age is the staggering number of choices we have when it comes to the manner in which we choose to live.

My generation grew up with both parents having to work.  Many of us were considered latchkey kids as the standard workday was 9 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday.  Often times our parents came home exhausted, made dinner and scooted us off to bed.  There wasn’t a lot of “face time” during the week so we lived for the weekends.

I was fortunate enough to be able to have a bit of fun and frivolity in my early adult years.  When I was 28, I had my first child.  I was overcome with the overwhelming need to be there for my daughter as much as I possibly could.  Another fortunate happenstance of living in these times was the advent of remote working.  As long as one has the skills and knowledge, the internet and computers make it a simple matter of choice to work from home.  So my need to be there for my little girl was answered in the form of freelance work.

I made that decision over fourteen years ago and haven’t regretted it since.  I’ve had two more beautiful children and every day they know they can see and talk to Mom whenever they need.  If there’s ever an emergency, I’m minutes away.  They never have to come home to a locked door and silence.

My children are also exposed to what hard work and perserverance will give you.  Not only have they seen me transition from web development and systems administration to freelance writing, they’ve also seen their own mother make the decision to go back to school to further her education.  Through my purposeful choices, my children are learning how to make choices that work for them and that it’s never to late in life to continue to broaden your horizons.

These sort of choices don’t work for everyone.  But if the time is right, the resources are in place and the desire is great, working from home to be with your children is one of the greatest choices you can ever make.