How FlexJobs Helped Me Become a Working Mom

Imagine journeying throughout Asia for 13 months as a solo female traveler. You visit city after city, country after country, meeting locals and taking in gorgeous scenery across Nepal, Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand. You work from the road as a freelance writer, setting up your virtual office anywhere with an internet connection. From coffee shops to homestays, the world truly is your office—and the hardest part about your lifestyle is deciding where to go next. Now imagine meeting the love of your life, traveling together, getting married, getting pregnant, and starting a brand new life back home—all in less than a year’s time!

Here’s how I became a working mom with job flexibility:

I’m Rebecca, and from 2014 to 2015, that was my life, and I’ve since become a working mom. After returning from Asia with my husband and having a baby, I realized that the freelance work I’d been relying on was no longer enough to sustain my new family.

Sure, I loved working from anywhere and being my own boss. Yes, I relished being able to take breaks to feed my baby or go to the gym in the middle of the day. But I didn’t love chasing clients for invoices, barely surviving during dry spells, and always wondering where the next job was coming from.

Finding Freedom and Flexibility

I still wanted the freedom and flexibility to spend time with my family, raise my son, and yes—even travel. But I also wanted a reliable source of income that could give my family a comfortable lifestyle stateside. I’ll be honest with you—I didn’t believe a job like that existed and I thought it would be difficult to become a working mom with work flexibility. I thought jobs fell into two camps: the total freedom of self-employment or the jail sentence of a “real job.”

Seeing What’s Possible

After working on a large contract project and getting a taste of what was possible as a full-time contractor, I started a tentative job search. I found the FlexJobs website and was blown away. The site was filled with jobs that were just what I was looking for. Many of them allowed you to work from home or work remotely. Many were full-time telecommuting positions or part-time positions that allowed for much more flexibility than I thought was possible.

I created my profile and applied for a few jobs. I loved the resume builder and used it to create the most comprehensive, detailed resume I’d ever made. Imagine my surprise when, a few weeks later, I got a phone call from a huge health care company—the last place I ever thought would call me for an interview!

Three interviews, five reference checks, one background check, and six weeks later, I’m proud to say that I just got my third paycheck, and I’ve become a working mom with a flexible position. I’m now a full-time writer, love the work I’m doing, and am learning from some really experienced, creative people.

Even better, my hours are totally flexible. I work from the office most days, but I can always rearrange my schedule to take my son to a doctor’s appointment, go to a friend’s wedding, or spend a half day working from home.

And the best part? I just got approval to take three weeks off next year so my entire family can go back to where this whole adventure began. We’ll be traveling to Southeast Asia, spending time with family during the Vietnamese New Year, and attending the Sapporo Ice Festival in Japan.

And unlike last time, I won’t be trapped in a hotel room, strapped to my laptop, working feverishly to afford the trip. Thanks to FlexJobs, I’ll be able to enjoy my vacation knowing I have a great job to come back to.

Rebecca Anne Nguyen is a copywriter, content marketer, and travel passionista. She blogs about culture, creativity, and consciousness at TheHappyPassport.com. Follow her on Instagram @rebecca_anne_nguyen.

Readers, have you been able to become a working a mom or dad with job flexibility? Tell us how in the comments section below!