From the Four Corners of the Classroom to the Four Corners of My Bedroom: My 16-Year Journey as a WFH Mom
They say life happens in chapters, but looking back at my career, it feels more like a massive software upgrade.
For ten years, my life revolved around the four corners of a classroom. I was an IT Instructor in college, pacing the floors, marking papers, and standing in front of whiteboards. I loved teaching, but my role went far beyond lecturing. Between preparing lessons, checking test papers, attending faculty trainings, handling workshops, and completing administrative work, especially for school accreditation, my days were packed.
Every seminar, curriculum review, and accreditation report taught me the importance of discipline, organization, and managing multiple responsibilities simultaneously. Even while explaining Networking or Database Management, I was endlessly curious about the “digital world” beyond academia.
Fast forward to 2026, and my “classroom” is now a cozy corner of my bedroom—or sometimes a balcony in another place, depending on the week. I’ve been working online since 2010—longer than some of my former students have been in the workforce! For any mom sitting in an office today wondering if you can make the leap, here’s how I went from “Ma’am Anne” to building a full-time career from home, and some lessons and tips I’ve learned along the way.
The “Accidental” First Step (2010)
My journey didn’t start with a grand plan; it started with an email. In 2010, I signed up for a job platform. I didn’t have a portfolio, and to be honest, I wasn’t confident. When a client asked for help creating blog content, my first instinct was to say no.
Even though I was an IT professional, I was a “chronic starter.” My journals were filled with three pages of notes and 100 blank pages. I loved the idea of writing, but finishing was always a struggle. Yet, for some reason, I said yes.
That first project, researching food recipes and health topics, lasted only four months. Life had other plans: I was getting married in January 2011. Between wedding preparations and my teaching load—including lectures, lesson planning, test grading, accreditation reports, and workshops—the online world had to take a backseat. But the seed had been planted.
Tip 1: Start small. You don’t need to be perfect or have everything ready. Sometimes, saying “yes” is the first step toward opportunity.
The O-Desk Era: Teaching by Day, Tech-ing by Night
After the wedding, I returned to online work and discovered a platform called O-Desk (for the OGs who remember life before it became Upwork!). This was the beginning of something serious.
My second client didn’t just give me tasks—they opened the door to a new world. I wasn’t just writing anymore; I was exploring the architecture, design flow, and logic behind websites.
For several years, I lived a double life. I was a “Work-at-Night” mom and a “Teach-at-Day” instructor. Between classes, accreditation reports, lesson prep, grading, and workshops, my days were packed—but I learned to manage multiple priorities and deadlines. My client understood my teaching commitments and supported my schedule. It was exhausting—but quietly, I was building the foundation I would later need for working from home full-time.
Tip 2: Manage your time intentionally. Splitting your day into dedicated blocks for your WFH tasks and family responsibilities—even small consistent hours—can build momentum faster than you think.
Building the Foundation: From ESL to Digital Marketing
People often ask me how I became familiar with so many aspects of the digital world. The truth is simple: I said yes.
Over the years, I rotated through roles like a Swiss Army knife. I taught online computer lessons, worked as an ESL teacher, managed social media accounts, performed website development, and gradually ventured into digital marketing. Every experience was a brick in the foundation, transforming me from a classroom instructor into someone comfortable navigating the online world.
Looking back, those years of juggling multiple tasks as an instructor, from lesson planning, marking, administrative work, workshops, and school accreditation, helped me develop essential WFH skills. Multitasking, organizing priorities, and maintaining focus amid distractions became second nature.
Tip 3: Be curious and versatile. Don’t limit yourself to one skill. Learning multiple skills over time makes you resilient in a constantly changing digital world.
Tip 4: Treat every task, even mundane ones, as a learning opportunity. Managing accreditation reports or workshops may feel tedious, but they sharpen skills like organization, attention to detail, and communication—essential for success in remote work.
The Turning Point: When Life Made the Choice for Me
The shift to fully working from home wasn’t entirely planned—it was prompted by life. When our long-time house helper got married and left, Jason and I faced a choice. In a family of three, someone needed to be home for our daughter,Nyah.
I stepped away from the physical classroom and traded chalk for keyboards, lesson plans for project boards, and the bell schedule for my own rhythm.
Tip 5: Embrace change as an opportunity. Sometimes life forces you to pivot, and that pivot can lead to growth you never expected.
The Perks: Why I Love the WFH Life
After 16 years of remote work, the perks go beyond “working in pajamas” (though that’s definitely a bonus). It’s about presence:
- The School Run: I’m the one who drops Juliah off and picks her up. Those car rides are where the best conversations happen.
- Travel Flexibility: Remote work allows us to follow Jason on work trips or explore destinations together— Cebu, Baguio, or Palawan—without missing a beat.
- Household Harmony: I can manage chores, family wellness, and personal health needs in between tasks, which wasn’t always possible during my classroom years filled with paperwork and admin responsibilities.
Tip 6: Set up your workspace intentionally. Even a small corner can become a productive zone if it’s comfortable, well-lit, and free of unnecessary distractions.
My Secret Sauce: Learn, Unlearn, Re-learn
Some ask if I feel “old” in this fast-moving digital space. I’ve been at it since 2010—in internet years, that’s practically prehistoric! But the truth is: the digital world doesn’t care about age; it cares about staying curious and adaptable.
My philosophy is simple:
- Learn: Always be a student. I still take courses to stay up to date on tools, trends, and SEO techniques.
- Unlearn: Be brave enough to drop old habits. What worked a decade ago doesn’t necessarily work today.
- Re-learn: Take your foundation—everything you’ve learned in teaching, life, and work—and adapt it to new tools and opportunities.
Tip 7: Invest in continuous learning. Take free courses online, read blogs, and experiment. Growth is a marathon, not a sprint.
Extra Tips for Moms Starting WFH
1. Create a Daily Routine:
A consistent schedule is your secret weapon. Structuring your day helps you clearly separate “work mode” from “mom mode,” so you can focus on tasks without feeling guilty or distracted. Even if your schedule isn’t rigid, having designated start and end times—or a morning ritual—can make your day feel more manageable and productive.
2. Communicate Your Boundaries:
Your family can’t read your mind, so setting clear expectations is essential. What worked for me was being very upfront with my daughter and my husband—when I need to focus, I tell them directly, “I need quiet time for work, please don’t disturb,” or “I have a meeting, I’ll be locking the door.” Over time, this became part of our household system. Clear communication helped minimize interruptions and made everyone more respectful of work hours, even while being at home.
3. Take Micro-Breaks:
It’s easy to get sucked into your laptop for hours, but short breaks are essential for maintaining focus and avoiding burnout. Even five minutes of stretching, walking around, or stepping outside for fresh air can reset your mind and improve productivity. Bonus: moving a little each hour helps reduce physical strain from sitting too long.
4. Use Tools to Stay Organized:
You don’t have to rely on memory alone—digital tools can be a lifesaver. Calendars, task lists, project management apps, or even sticky notes can help you keep track of deadlines, meetings, and family obligations. When everything has its place, you spend less mental energy remembering tasks and more energy actually completing them.
5. Prioritize Health:
For me, managing my PCOS while working remotely meant being more intentional with my energy and daily routines. Instead of structured workouts, movement became part of my day—short walks, doing household chores like laundry, cooking meals, cleaning the house, tidying up outside, and taking brief walks with our dog. These simple, consistent activities helped me stay active, grounded, and present for both work and family.
6. Celebrate Small Wins:
Working from home often means accomplishments can go unnoticed. Take time to celebrate even the smallest victories—finishing a project, sending an important email, or learning a new skill. Recognizing progress keeps you motivated and reminds you that your hard work is paying off.
7. Network with Other WFH Moms!:
Remote work can feel isolating at times, so connecting with other WFH moms is invaluable. Sharing experiences, tips, or challenges provides support, accountability, and sometimes a much-needed laugh. Whether through online communities, social media, or casual coffee chats, building a network of like-minded parents can make the WFH journey feel less lonely and more empowering.
Final Thoughts for the Moms
If you’re sitting in those four corners of a classroom or office today, know this: the transition isn’t overnight. It took a decade of teaching, thousands of admin reports, countless workshops, and years of part-time online work to build the resilience I have today, but the freedom to be present for your family, travel, and explore new opportunities is worth every late-night challenge.
Stay curious, stay adaptable—and don’t be afraid to finish that journal.
