Building an Online Business as a Busy Mom: 5 Lessons I’ve Learned (So Far)
When I first joined Wealthy Affiliate back in 2017, I was working overseas as a Medical Laboratory Scientist — caught up in the 9–5 (or more realistically, 12 to 14-hour) grind. The idea of building something online truly appealed to me, but between the demands of work and life, I couldn’t give it the time and focus it deserved.
In 2020, I took a break. And after much prayer, reflection, and seeking God’s direction, I officially filed for early retirement in 2022. Coming home to the Philippines was a major transition — but also a beautiful blessing.
I had been married even before working in the Middle East, but we hadn’t started a family yet. It wasn’t until I returned home that we began planning that new chapter. And in March 2023, our little miracle Zander was born. 💙
Today, I’m embracing life as a full-time stay-at-home mom — and after years away, I’ve returned to Wealthy Affiliate with renewed focus, a deeper purpose, and a heart that’s fully committed. 💛
Building an online business while raising a little one is no walk in the park, but it is possible. Here are five lessons I’ve learned (and am still learning!) along the way. If you’re in a similar season, I hope these encourage you:
1️⃣ Progress Over Perfection is the Motto
In the early days, I wasted so much time tweaking fonts, stressing over blog titles, and doubting my content. I’ve since learned that done is better than perfect. Hit publish — you can always improve it later. We’re building long-term digital assets, not masterpieces from day one.
👉 Tip: Create a “good enough to publish” checklist and stick to it. Revisions can come later — momentum is key.
2️⃣ Nap Time is Gold Mine Time
I used to feel guilty for working during my baby’s nap, but I’ve come to see it as a sacred, productive time. Whether I’m writing a blog post, researching keywords, or learning something new — those quiet hours are golden.
👉 Tip: Keep a “nap time task list” ready so you can dive in as soon as your little one dozes off.
3️⃣ Systems Save Sanity
From diaper changes to dishes, life is full of interruptions. That’s why I lean on simple systems — batching content, using templates, scheduling posts — to help keep things moving without burning out.
👉 Tip: Tools like GPT can help you generate outlines, intros, FAQs, and even schema — huge time-savers!
4️⃣ The Comparison Game Will Derail You
It’s tempting to scroll through other people’s successes and wonder, “What am I doing wrong?”
But we’re all running different races. Some have eight uninterrupted hours. I might have two or three — and that’s perfectly okay. Slow progress is still progress.
👉 Reminder: You’re not behind — you’re on your own timeline. Stay focused on your journey.
5️⃣ Community is Everything
There have been days I almost gave up — until someone here at WA shared something that re-lit the fire in me. Whether it’s a post, a comment, or a private message, the support in this community is real. Don’t try to do this alone.
👉 Feeling stuck? Reach out. You’re not alone — and someone out there has probably walked the same path and made it through.
Final Thoughts
Being a stay-at-home mom and an online entrepreneur is no easy feat — but it’s absolutely possible. I may not move as fast as others, but I’m building something meaningful for my family… and hopefully for others, too.
I’m truly grateful to be back at Wealthy Affiliate, this time with more clarity, a stronger purpose, and a heart that’s ready to serve.
If you’re in a similar season, I just want you to know: you’re doing amazing. Keep showing up. Even one small step forward is still progress. 🌱
How about you?
What season are you in right now — and what’s helped you keep going?
I’d love to hear your story in the comments below. 😊
Join FREE & Launch Your Business!
Exclusive Bonus - Offer Ends at Midnight Today
00
Hours
:
00
Minutes
:
00
Seconds
2,000 AI Credits Worth $10 USD
Build a Logo + Website That Attracts Customers
400 Credits
Discover Hot Niches with AI Market Research
100 Credits
Create SEO Content That Ranks & Converts
800 Credits
Find Affiliate Offers Up to $500/Sale
10 Credits
Access a Community of 2.9M+ Members
Recent Comments
23
Welcome back to Wealthy Affiliate, Alice!
I keep my profile updated, so you can check on my current season of life if you would like to.
Best wishes!
Thanks so much, Howard! I appreciate the warm welcome.
I’ll definitely check out your profile—it’s always inspiring to see where others are in their journey.
Wishing you all the best in this season too!
Thank you, Alice. My situation is different because I am male and taking care of both of my parents who have health problems, but similar I think.
Your post gives me hope that I can be successful too.
JD
Thank you, JD.
I really appreciate your kind words, and I admire your heart and dedication to caring for your parents. I believe you can be successful too—one step at a time.
Let’s keep going!
I really enjoyed reading your story—it feels so real and relatable, especially the part about coming back to WA with a new sense of purpose after such a big life transition. It’s amazing how becoming a parent can completely shift your priorities and your entire approach to business (and life!).
Your “nap time is gold mine time” line genuinely made me smile. It’s so true that you have to grab those little pockets of quiet and make the most of them. I can relate to that juggling act—even without kids, I find myself constantly reprioritizing and learning to let go of perfection just to keep things moving forward.
The point about community struck a chord, too. There’s something special about WA that makes people feel less alone, even on days when progress feels slow or motivation dips. Have you found any specific routines or support strategies that help you stay connected here, especially when things get overwhelming at home?
And on the “comparison game”—wow, that’s tough! I’m curious: Was there a specific moment or lesson that helped you let go of comparing your pace to others, or is it still an ongoing thing?
Thanks for sharing such a thoughtful post and opening up about the ups and downs. You’re proof that steady progress—no matter the pace—really does add up. Looking forward to hearing more about your journey!
Sonia
Hi Sonia,
Thank you so much for this heartfelt comment—it truly made my day! 💛
You’re right, becoming a parent really does flip your world upside down (in the best and craziest ways), and it’s been such a journey learning how to embrace the mess, the beauty, and the unpredictability of it all.
I’m so glad the “nap time is gold mine time” line resonated with you! 😄 Whether it’s nap time or just those rare quiet moments, we do what we can, right?
To stay connected with the WA community, I usually sneak in some time on my iPad while Zander is happily munching on his afternoon snack and watching his favorite cartoons on his iPad 😇—it’s not perfect, but it works!
And yes, the comparison game is still a work in progress for me, but I’ve learned a lot from reading the stories of two super affiliates here at WA. Their transparency and advice helped me shift my mindset and focus more on consistency rather than speed. That really helped me let go of some of the pressure I was putting on myself.
Thank you again, Sonia. Your words mean a lot, and I’m excited to follow your journey too. Let’s keep cheering each other on!
Warmly,
Alice
Alice, I absolutely love your honesty—and your iPad-on-iPad multitasking hack! (Peak mompreneur strategy, honestly.) There’s something oddly comforting about knowing that none of us really have it all perfectly figured out, and yet we’re still moving forward, snack crumbs and all.
You nailed it with “embracing the mess, the beauty, and the unpredictability”—that’s pretty much the unofficial motto of this whole online business journey, parenting or not. Consistency over speed really is a game-changer, and I think the more we talk about it, the easier it gets to let go of that old pressure to be “faster” or “further ahead.”
It’s always inspiring to hear how others in the community keep themselves grounded. Thanks for sharing what works for you (and for keeping it real about those cartoon-fueled productivity windows!). Here’s to many more gold-mine moments—nap time, snack time, or whatever pocket of peace we can claim.
Rooting for you, and looking forward to your next update!
Sonia
Sonia, your reply absolutely made me smile—thank you! 💛
It’s so comforting to know we’re not alone in this beautifully messy journey, whether it’s juggling parenting, caregiving, or simply chasing our dreams in the middle of life’s chaos (and crumbs 😄).
You’re so right—when we let go of the pressure to be “further ahead,” we actually make room for steady, meaningful progress.
Here’s to celebrating those snack-time wins and imperfect but powerful steps forward. I’m cheering you on too, and I’m so grateful we’ve connected here!
Talk soon,
Alice 🌼
I have a Just Over Broke (JOB) that steals 60+ hours a week. Which is why you will see me at1-2-3 am eastern US time, knowing full well that my alarm will go off between 4-5 AM. The things we do when we believe that our efforts will make a difference for someone else.
Enjoy the Day, I am out the door.
Don
Wow, Don, that level of dedication is inspiring! It’s amazing what we’re willing to sacrifice when we truly believe in the impact we’re making.
Wishing you strength and success—hope you get a well-deserved rest soon.
Take care!
See more comments
Join FREE & Launch Your Business!
Exclusive Bonus - Offer Ends at Midnight Today
00
Hours
:
00
Minutes
:
00
Seconds
2,000 AI Credits Worth $10 USD
Build a Logo + Website That Attracts Customers
400 Credits
Discover Hot Niches with AI Market Research
100 Credits
Create SEO Content That Ranks & Converts
800 Credits
Find Affiliate Offers Up to $500/Sale
10 Credits
Access a Community of 2.9M+ Members
Welcome back - and I love that you have come back with 'renewed focus, a deeper purpose, and a heart that’s fully committed.'
I came back just before Christmas after being away for a long time (though keeping up my membership). I too came back with renewed focus, a deeper purpose, and a heart that’s fully committed.' I gave up my two previous sites that didn't have much on them, started a new one on 1 March and have been working on it steadily ever since. I am now right in the middle of restructuring my menu and have just bought a second domain and hope to set up the menu correctly straight away.
Wishing you lots of success and lots of joy with your little one.
Isabella
Hi Isabella,
Thank you so much for your kind words—and wow, it sounds like we’re on such a similar path right now!
I love that you came back with the same renewed focus and deeper purpose. Starting fresh takes courage, and it’s inspiring to hear how you’ve been steadily building your new site since March.
Menu restructuring can be such a puzzle, can’t it? I’m sure your second site will benefit from all you’ve learned. Wishing you continued clarity and success, and thank you for the sweet wishes for my little one! He definitely keeps things interesting. 😊
Let’s keep cheering each other on!
Alice
Happy to cheer you on.
And I am always interested in little ones. My first site is a parenting site. My second one is a books (mainly) for children site.
Isabella
That’s so lovely, Isabella! I didn’t realize we shared a love for all things parenting and children—how wonderful!
I’d love to check out your sites sometime. It’s always inspiring to connect with others who have a heart for nurturing both little ones and meaningful content. 💛
Cheering you on as well—and looking forward to staying connected!
Warmly,
Alice