Here’s the story, of a lovely lady. She was bringing up three very lovely children. All of them had hair of gold, like their mother, the youngest one liked to play in soot and get it all over the white couch.
This lovely young mother wanted to make some money from home. Her talent was playing the piano, so she decided to advertise that she would be providing lessons. What a wonderful idea!
Did you know her time is worth nothing? She shouldn’t charge anything for those classes. In fact, anyone coming to those lessons should expect to get anything they want from her for free. How DARE she charge for her talent?! Money grubber!
Huh?
That’s just plain ridiculous. Isn’t it? Our time is worth something.
Would you go to work at a job and expect to NOT get paid? Is your time worth anything? Would you hire a cleaning company and expect them to show up, clean and then tell them to hit the road because you weren’t paying? No.
We, as women (men too) have a talent. That talent that we have is something someone else NEEDS. We shouldn’t feel ashamed or guilty about providing our time to someone who needs it.
And neither should we accept those who try to SHAME US because we want to use our time and talent to make money for our family.
I’ve been astounded lately at people who talk badly about bloggers who offer a service or their time/expertise and then charge money for it. Good! They should! They’re meeting a need, giving their time, and providing for their family.
Does this mean that we shouldn’t also offer our time freely when the event calls for it? Absolutely not! We should give as much as possible – but there is also a point at which it’s okay to make money for our time.
Angela has a talent at meal planning. Not all moms have that talent. She spends her time to create meal plans to fill a need for other moms. It’s okay for her to charge for that. And be proud for filling that need.
Bethany is gifted at teaching others to play the cello. She sets up her own business and teaches others to create beautiful music. Way to go, Bethany!
Lexie likes to make natural soap. The idea of trying to make my own soap makes me want to curl up in the fetal position. I’m too busy. Thank the good Lord for moms like Lexie who are willing to share their time so that I can get what I need without going loony tunes!
Stacy likes to blog. She loves writing and helping others with their finances. Her husband is gifted (and schooled) at teaching people to handle money and getting out of debt. They offer lots of things for free…but it’s okay for them to make money on their blog and the time they spend on it.
A blog is a business too. It takes our time.
Isn’t it awesome that God gifted all of us to meet the needs of others?!
For help with your business idea, check out Money Making Mom. A FABULOUS book on helping moms get their business off the ground…and no, it’s not all about blogging. It’s for any business!
What are you gifted at that you can use to serve others and help your family at the same time?
I could not agree with you more. However, I think you are comparing apple to oranges. Some of these “bloggers” that have been around awhile are just marketers in disguise. Go back a year or 5 (lol) and count up how many “products” they have “discovered” that will make you rich, skinny and cure your foot odor. Look at how many “close friends” they have that want to let you in on a secret. You have to be wise before you lay down with these people and give your unqualified support.
Well, those aren’t the people I am addressing here. 🙂 I’m talking about hard-working moms. Not people jumping on bandwagons. If it sounds too good to be true – it IS. 🙂 Right?
How truly strange that anyone should have the attitude that bloggers shouldn’t earn money to help their families! I wonder what motivates such thoughts. Jealousy maybe? Or “I deserve everything for free?” (Which seems increasingly common in our society.)
Sadly, that’s true. I’m always so tickled when I can support another work at home mom! 🙂
Me, too! Because that means she’s better able to stay home with her children, which is better for that family, and, in my opinion, better for our society. Plus, it helps that mama’s heart 🙂