1. How I Started My Freelancing Journey

Discovering Other Freelancing Platforms: OnlineJobs.ph

As the years went by, I realized that the oDesk fees were taking such a big dent from my earnings (on top of the PayPal fees).

What's more is that oDesk is now called UpWork, and it has so many "premium" features now that would require you to shell out money in order for you to make the most out of it.

So I opted to find freelance work elsewhere. 

I didn't try other freelancing platforms, simply because I know they get a huge chunk out of your earnings, but I found OnlineJobs.ph to be the exception.

I like it best because there aren't any fees and you can be hired directly by employers, so you get to earn more. 

The downside with being directly hired outside of a freelancing platform is that, there's a bigger chance that you can be scammed (i.e., not getting paid for the work you've done).

So far, however, I've only been scammed once, and that was only a week's worth of work.

Setting Up My PayPal Account to Get Paid

Back to my 2011 story. I then set up a PayPal account so that I can get paid.

From a freelancer perspective, PayPal is basically a payment platform where overseas employers can pay you, and then you receive the money through PayPal and withdraw your earnings straight to your back account.

To set up a personal account on PayPal, you only need to have:

• your personal information
• your bank account details
• for verification purposes (verification is a step needed on PayPal so that account restrictions, such as withdrawal limits, are lifted), a credit card (not a prepaid credit card) or UnionBank EON card (which is easier to acquire than a traditional credit card).

Handy guides:

• How to Set Up a Personal PayPal Account
• How to Get or Apply a UnionBank EON Card

I suggest you do your own research using Google to learn more about this.

As a freelancer, you need to learn how to be self-reliant and resourceful because, as I learned from my experience, not everything will be laid out for you and you have to use the power of Google to learn things :-)

Photo by Startup Stock Photos from Pexels

2. Freelancing while Working Full-Time as an Office Worker

For a long time, I was mainly an office-based employee working full-time, while working freelance when I come back home from work. 

So you may ask, what do you mean by freelance?

Freelance means that you work as an independent contractor; in other words, you are self-employed. This also means that your work isn't permanent.

You may work part-time (around 2 to 4 hours per day) or project-based (just until the project is done).

But most of the time, if you're a freelancer, you have flexible work hours as long as you submit your deliverables on time.

Being a freelancer also means that you don't have benefits; SSS, PhilHealth, PAG-IBIG, and taxes will be shouldered by you.

Since I was already employed back then, I didn't have to worry about any of those :-)

For those wondering how to pay for your taxes as a freelancer, you can refer to the following guides:

• How Freelancers can have an ITR in the Philippines
• Complete BIR Taxation Guide for Self-Employed and Freelancers

Photo by Acharaporn Kamornboonyarush from Pexels

3. Learning the Ropes with No Formal Training

In my years of freelancing, I picked up a number of skills: SEO content writing, product review writing, web content writing, marketing copywriting, social media management, and many more.

All these I learned without any formal training.

As I mentioned, it's crucial to be self-reliant and resourceful if you are to become a homebased worker.

There are, of course, free and paid trainings to learn various skills that are relevant to remote work, but then again, formal training is not really that necessary.

While getting formal training can give you an edge over the competition, in my opinion, what matters most is your willingness to learn and having a can-do attitude—and this means having serious Googling skills.

You can learn a lot through Google Search. And some employers are also more than willing enough to train you or give you time to learn the ropes as you go.

If you do want to have formal training, I suggest enrolling to Jason Dulay's VA Bootcamp. 

I haven't tried, but I'm an active (though silent reader) in their Facebook group, FreeLancers In the Philippines (FLIP) - by Jason Dulay.

(And NO, I wasn't paid to endorse him. I just feel like he has great authority in giving helpful trainings for aspiring homebased workers.)

Photo by Tirachard Kumtanom from Pexels

4. Getting More Clients Outside of Freelancing Sites

As I mentioned, I wasn't a big fan of oDesk/UpWork. Outside of freelancing platforms, I got more writing gigs through referrals from friends.

LinkedIn was also a surprising social media site that I didn't expect I could get remote work from, but I did.

And Facebook was a game-changer for me. Through groups on Facebook, there's a treasure trove of online job opportunities where you can be hired directly. Here are Facebook groups that I suggest:

• Online Filipino Freelancers
• FreeLancers In the Philippines (FLIP) - by Jason Dulay
• Freelance Jobs Philippines
• Filipino Freelancer Online Home Based Job (Upwork, Elance, oDesk etc)
• For writers: Freelance Writers Philippines

It was on Facebook, in fact, that I was hired by my current employer, which brings us to the last part of my story.

5. Finding a Stable Homebased Job and Working Remotely Full-Time

I started working as a part-time writer for my current employer, a digital marketing company, in 2015.

For two years, I was on a freelancer status (meaning that I didn't have employee benefits). I did, however, get a constant stream of workload and a generous monthly pay.

In 2017, I got married and had a baby. Since I've always wanted to be a hands-on mother, my husband and I decided that I quit my office job and start working from home. 

It wasn't an easy decision to make, and we had to consider a lot of things, but I was fortunate enough to have a boss who was so kind to offer me a full-time homebased job, complete with statutory government benefits and a flexible work schedule :-)

Read: 5 Things to Consider Before Deciding to Become a Work-at-Home Mom (WAHM)

Since then, I became a remote employee—which means that I have a fixed monthly salary, I work 40 hours per week, and that my employer handles my taxes and other government-related stuff (SSS, PhilHealth, and PAG-IBIG).

All these in the comfort of our own home.

I also maintain a couple of freelance copyediting jobs from time to time.

It also pays well, provides flexible work hours, and offers quite a manageable workload that doesn't interfere with my full-time job nor my time for my family.

And that, folks, is how I became a work-at-home mom :-)

Closing Note

Working from home definitely has its benefits, the main one being not having to deal with lengthy commutes and heavy traffic.

But it also has its fair share of downsides—the first one on the list: today's fierce competition in the freelancing space.

My general advice is that you don't jump off ship immediately.

Try applying for part-time online jobs first, if time permits, and test the waters.

Homebased work is not for everyone, and it's not that easy to become successful.

Remember: All good things take time. If it's easy to achieve, it's also easy to lose. Just be patient and never lose your determination as you navigate the turbulent waters of online work.

Convenient location

Amuma Childcare Services - Cebu is located on the 2nd floor of the Pacific Square Building at F. Cabahug St., Mabolo, Cebu City.

It's right across ICON Bar and Kima Glass; the same building with RCBC and Yakiniku Japanese Restaurant.

Reasonable rates

• Hourly rate: 99 pesos for a minimum of 5 hours; 175 pesos for 4 hours and below 
• Daily rate: 750 pesos for up to 8 hours
• Weekly rate: 2, 500 for up to 8 hours a day, 5 days a week
• Monthly rate: 6,000 pesos for up to 9 hours a day, 5 days a week, 20 days in a month

It must also be noted that electronic devices and picture-taking are strictly not allowed in the facility for safety reasons. 

We also asked if we can access the CCTV footage to monitor our child, but it's also not allowed, which we understand. 

They provide photos of your child from time to time, though, through Facebook Messenger. :-)

Competent and patient childcare assistants

What I like most about Amuma is that they have stringent qualifications for their childcare assistants (CCAs or yayas).

They hire TESDA-certified caregivers, or yayas who have worked for at least 5 years with a certificate of recommendation from their previous employer.

All their CCAs have also undergone comprehensive health, security, and psychological checks, as well as first-aid trainings—pretty impressive, if I say so myself.

My daughter is quite clingy, and it was the first time in a long time that she's been separated from me.

My husband and I were also super anxious when we left our daughter at Amuma, but their CCAs were very competent in handling our clingy girl. 

For children spending longer hours in the facility, Amuma has several activities to engage kids, such as reading, games, handcrafts, and more.

Since we were only there for a couple of hours and is only a trial period (it was also a Sunday), there weren't a lot of kids.

At the end of the two-hour trial, our daughter was crying. She is still exclusively breastfed and rarely drinks formula milk from a bottle. 

She was sleepy by then and she usually throws a tantrum when overtired; when she's at this point, breastfeeding is the best way to comfort her. 

It was a good thing the CCAs were very patient, even when our daughter refused her milk and refused to be held. We arrived a few minutes after her meltdown, thank goodness.

Upon pickup, the CCAs gave us a "report" about our daughter's behavior, her activities, what she ate/drank, etc. 

One more thing is that only the parents or registered guardians are allowed to pick up your child. Otherwise, you need to prepare an authorization letter and IDs for your substitute guardian.

Reliable operating hours

Amuma is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

However, from reading the comments and reviews, if you plan to drop off your kid at night, it's best to inform the office at least a few hours ahead so that they can prepare accordingly.

I agree that it makes business sense to only operate at night when there are actually kids to take care of, and as a responsible adult, I do believe that setting appointments is a good courtesy to make :-)

Our verdict

So far, our experience with Amuma was better than expected. We thought our daughter would cry the whole time!

We are definitely going back, but maybe only during the weekends and only for a few hours, until our little girl is ready to be left there for a longer duration—or until she finally weans (lol).

If you plan to check out Amuma, you can schedule a facility tour. 

Just email them at amumachildcare@gmail.com with the subject "Facility Tour Request." 

They have tour schedules from Monday to Saturday. Just be sure to book a schedule at least a day before.

For more information, please message them through their official Facebook page (you can also click on the photo below):

DISCLAIMER: 

I am not an employee of Amuma Childcare. I'm just a happy parent who is sharing my experience with them. 

For your questions, please contact them through their Facebook page provided above :-)

Children's embarrassment and online harassment

What’s That Smell?

No Crumbs Left Behind

It’s understandable to feel a little guilty about taking time to go out for coffee or do some meditating when you’re the parent of a young child.

After all, your instincts are to be there when your little one needs you, and that’s a big responsibility.

But if you’re a disabled parent, it’s especially important to rest and renew yourself so you’re better able to provide the level of care you want and your child's needs.

Self-care isn’t a manifestation of personal selfishness; rather, it’s an essential part of being an effective, nurturing parent.

Fresh air

If you’re a disabled individual with mobility restrictions, getting outside for some fresh air and sunshine between feedings may be difficult.

Without some respite, spending so much time inside can be frustrating and will eventually take a toll on your mood and mental outlook.

Everyone needs some of the healthful vitamin D your body gets naturally from sunlight, and there’s nothing quite as invigorating as a lungful of clean air after a long day of changing diapers and preparing bottles.

So spend an hour or so out on the deck each day or take a quick stroll just to clear your head when your little one is napping in their stroller. You need it, and your child will benefit as well.

De-stress your environment

Decluttering and organizing your environment will help alleviate some of the stress that hits you now and then.

Your bedroom is one place that should be as soothing as possible, so make sure it’s a restful, clean and quiet space where it’s easy to aim for the 7 to 9 hours of sleep your body needs.

Install blackout curtains if light is a problem, and keep all screens (TV and computer) turned off while you’re sleeping.

It’s also a good idea to maintain a temperature below 72 degrees to keep your body temperature down, which will facilitate good sleep.

Proper nutrition

Diet also has a lot to do with how you feel and your ability to maintain a positive perspective through the late-night feedings or random temper tantrums.

Take the time to prepare healthy, nutritional meals rather than relying on fast food for the sake of convenience.

Make a point of including vegetables, fruit, whole grains, and protein in each meal, and whip up a protein shake for those between-meal occasions when you need to get something in your stomach.

Doing you

Self-care is a very broad term; it means a lot of things and not just good food, exercise, and sleep.

As a disabled parent, your days are taken up with caring for another, which means you need to find ways to care for your soul.

Arrange with your partner or a family member so that you can get a few hours during the week or weekend to enjoy doing something that’s meaningful to you.

That could mean watching a favorite old movie, reading a book, playing a video game, or spending time writing in a journal (a highly therapeutic habit). In the long run, setting aside time just for you will make you a better mom or dad.

Talk with friends

When you’re spending so much time with a little one, it can be easy to lose perspective.

Some parents begin to feel depressed, or worry that they’re not doing a good job.

Sometimes you just need to talk with someone who cares about you, who knows you and always seems to have the right words at the right moment.

Talk, text, or FaceTime with a good friend or relative each week. Share your frustrations and funny parent stories.

Before you know it, you’ll be laughing or having a good cry - both are good because you’ll be venting emotionally and getting it off your chest.

A disabled parent can benefit greatly from a loving, supportive voice reminding you what a good person and parent you are.

Parenting is already a physically and emotionally taxing role, particularly when caring for a little one.

As a disabled parent, it’s even more important for you stay mindful of your need for self-care and your child’s need for a rested, strengthened, and well-adjusted parent.

And don’t underestimate the value of maintaining a restful and orderly living environment.

There are so many great things about living in a small home — the ease of maintenance, the cozy feel, the cheap utilities. However, small spaces have one big downside:

It’s hard to find places to store all your stuff! If you’re sick of living in a home that feels cramped and cluttered, you need to try these small-space organizing tips.