Mama Wilson
Homeschooling Wisdom with a Mama's Touch.
Parenting and Life Advice Right Over the Fence.
The Juggle Is Real: Balancing Home, Work, and Dreams in a Tough Economy
Hey neighbor, grab that coffee (yes, even if it’s been microwaved three times) and settle in. I need to talk about something that’s been sitting heavy on my heart — the juggle.
You know the one.
That daily balancing act between:
Keeping the kids fed, happy, and maybe even learning a thing or two.
Trying to keep the house from looking like a tornado zone.
Stretching one income further than seems possible.
And still daring to chase a dream that might, one day, change everything.
For me, the juggle isn’t just about work-life balance. It’s about survival and hope colliding in the same messy day.
The Homeschool Hustle
Homeschooling was never in my original life plan. But here we are. My youngest is about to turn 8, and while that number sounds big, his hypoxic brain injury means he needs more support than a traditional classroom can give him.
Some days we’re working on letters and sounds, other days we’re working on patience, or movement, or just being.
It’s beautiful. It’s exhausting. And it’s why I can’t just clock into a 9–5 outside the home.
My kids need me here, present and steady. This means that any income I bring in has to come from the same place — my home.
The Remote Job Search
That’s why I’ve been diving into remote job listings. Loan officer roles, customer service positions, content creation gigs, internet raters, — anything that lets me stay home and not be chained to a phone, while still contributing financially.
I polish up my resume, I hit “submit,” I wait. Sometimes I get a polite “no.” Sometimes I hear nothing at all. And sometimes, I get just enough of a spark to feel like maybe, just maybe, something is aligning.
But then reality sets in. Benefits cost money. Paychecks don’t stretch as far as they used to. And even with a potential salary that sounds life-changing, I can’t help but calculate how quickly it will disappear into groceries, rent, gas, and the never-ending list of “unexpected expenses.”
The Side Hustle Dream
That’s where Mama Wilson comes in. My little corner of the internet. A blog that’s equal parts heart, hustle, and hope.
When I write, I picture a neighbor sitting at my kitchen table — another mom trying to figure it out. Maybe she’s looking for ways to help her kid hold a pencil better. Maybe she’s searching for affordable homeschooling resources. Maybe she just wants to know she’s not the only one juggling coffee, bills, and dreams.
The dream is simple: for Mama Wilson to evolve into a side hustle that generates $3–5k a month. Enough to give us breathing room. Enough to make Christmas and birthdays less stressful. Enough to contribute without sacrificing the very reason I stay home — my kids.
Is it happening yet? No. But every article, every post, every late-night brainstorm session feels like a brick in the foundation of something bigger.
The Tough Economy Reality
Let’s be honest: this economy isn't playing fair. Prices are up. Paychecks aren't keeping pace. Families everywhere are stretching thinner and thinner. And for those of us already below the poverty line, it feels like trying to build a bridge while standing in quicksand.
But here’s the thing: we are building. Even if it’s slow. Even if it feels impossible some days. Every application, every side hustle idea, every effort to show up for our kids — it counts!
What I’m Learning in the Messy Middle
Here’s what this juggle has taught me so far:
Dreams fuel determination. They don’t pay the light bill — not yet — but they keep me moving forward when giving up would be easier.
Remote work isn’t a luxury anymore. For so many families like mine, it’s survival. It’s the only way to balance caregiving, homeschooling, and financial responsibility.
Small wins matter. Submitting a resume. Publishing a blog post. Teaching my son a new word. It all counts, even if it doesn’t look shiny from the outside.
We’re not alone. So many of us are navigating this same messy middle, even when it feels isolating.
So What Now?
I don’t have all the answers. I don’t know if the next application will be the one. I don’t know if Mama Wilson will grow into the side hustle I dream about. But I do know this:
I’m not giving up. I’m not trading the dream for despair. I’m not going to stop believing that there’s a way to provide for my family without sacrificing being present for them.
The juggle is real. But so is our grit. So is our hope. So is the strength we find when we look at our kids and remember why we’re fighting in the first place.
So, neighbor, if you’re juggling too — homeschooling, remote job hunting, side hustles, or just the weight of this economy — know this: you don’t have to have it all figured out to be doing a good job. You’re not behind. You’re not failing. You’re living, you’re showing up, and that’s enough.
And maybe, just maybe, if we keep juggling with open hands and open hearts, the universe will meet us halfway.
About this blog
A Quick Word About Affiliates
Hey, transparency is key here! Some of the links on this blog are affiliate links, which means if you click through and make a purchase, we might earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you! But it helps us pay the bills, and don’t worry; we only recommend products we genuinely love and think will make your parenting or homeschooling life easier (or at least a little less chaotic). It’s like a win-win—just like when Wilson dropped a life lesson and Tim actually listened.