Even though there are numerous benefits to having a stay at home parent, many people struggle to find a solid identity without the guidance and rewards of a career. As Marine Wife Unplugged wrote about it, it can be especially difficult as a military spouse because you are often separated from your family and support network and can easily feel overwhelmed and isolated.

If you are a stay-at-home parent, check out these ideas to help you build a strong identity.

If you are a stay-at-home parent, check out these ideas to help you build a strong identity.

Volunteering

Many stay at home parents say that they feel as if they aren’t challenged and don’t get the rewards that many receive from projects at work. Although being a parent can be very rewarding, it’s easy to feel like your hard work goes unnoticed.

Volunteering can provide an excellent outlet to fill your down time as well as give you the sense that you’re helping out your community. For an added impact, try volunteering for charities or organizations that help military causes like The Veterans United Foundation, Operation Homefront and The Red Cross.

Clubs

It may not sound like much but joining a club can help you meet people with similar interests as well as foster some of your favorite activities. Join a neighborhood book club, city council or even the school board.

Not only can getting involved in your community help you find your identity, leadership and organization building are great skills to include on a resume if you plan on returning to the work force.

Online Classes

Those with a passion for learning and a goal to receive a degree should consider taking online or evening classes. Online and evening classes are incredibly flexible and you can spread your class load over several years to work toward a degree that can help you find a job later down the road.

Hobbies

Although raising children and taking care of the house is a very necessary job, it isn’t always the most rewarding or creatively stimulating. Giving yourself a creative outlet will help you feel passionate and stimulated.

If a craft or some type of art is peaking your interest, consider turning your hobby into a form of income.  With a little careful planning and drive you can make some great extra money selling on sites like Etsy.com and eBay not to mention customers around your area.

Change Your Mindset

One of the biggest mistakes a stay at home parent can make is thinking what they do isn’t as important as a job with income. Think of how lost your family would be without everything you do to make things run smoothly. Consider how much services like childcare, housekeeping or bookkeeping cost. Calculating the monetary value of the work you do in the home can help bring your self-worth into proper perspective.

Overall, the role of a stay at home parent is incredibly important and should not be taken lightly, but these supplementary activities can help fill the gaps in building a strong identity.

Photo courtesy Emery Co Photo

With the help of the Internet, many spouses like Sabrieth Stormscribe are turning their spare-time hobbies into profits. As a successful businesswoman, her advice is to be passionate about what you’re doing before you try to make money off of it. Here are some other tips to consider when turning your own hobby into a business.

Search the Sustainability of Your Joy

Some people find that once they begin selling their hobby to others, the passion fades. What used to be joyful recreation is now a stressful obligation. You don’t want that.

Be sure to search yourself and your desire for business. While Sabrieth Stormscribe found success with her jewelry, Trent from TheSimpleDollar found the opposite and realized he was better off keeping his gaming a hobby. Talk to others and gauge their experiences to determine what you can expect for your own.

Research Market and Price Product

See what’s out there. Check your hobby’s products, the people buying them, how much they are paying and where they are located. This will help you determine your own earning potential based on the competition.

Also, talk to the people around you, especially those who have commented on your hobby skills. See if they’d be willing to purchase your product and for how much. Once you get a feel for how much you can charge, make sure it will cover your expenses.

Make it Legal

According to Bankrate, the Internal Revenue Service considers any activity intended to make money a business. That means you’ve got to consider whether you need a permit or an occupational license. Most cities require small businesses, even home-based ones, to have a business license for tax certification.

Decide your Distribution

Do you want to keep it local and on base? Do you want to travel to craft and hobby shows? Would you prefer all exchanges to be online? Some businesses just sell at local flea and farmer’s markets, while others list items on craft sites like Etsy.

Sites typically charge a small fee to list items as well as a transaction fee, so be sure to look into the details before you register. You can also start a page on Facebook and attempt your sales that way.

Market Yourself

Set the word of mouth in motion with friends and neighbors, Facebook, blogs, fliers, newspaper ads, craft parties, craft shows, visiting markets and other local businesses.

Treat it Like a Business

While you may think it’s a simple hobby, others love the work you do and are paying for it. Give your business some credit and be sure to have a bookkeeping system to keep records and gauge goals and expectations.