Today we’d like to introduce you to Christine Gaudreau.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Christine. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Hello! I’m a 48 year-old, stay at home mom! I have always known I wanted kids. I would help my mom care for my 2 younger siblings as well as babysit many of the neighborhood kids. I always had a knack for inventing games, crafts and finding fun things to do for kids of all ages.
Having kids later in life wasn’t planned but if I could go back and do it all again, I wouldn’t change a thing. My husband, Jason and I had the perfect fairytale meeting in Disney World on New Year’s Eve. Four years later, we married in Disney and soon began trying for our family. Unfortunately, five years of trying for a family was met with loss and hopelessness, but instead of weakening our marriage, it strengthened it. It wasn’t until we moved onto adoption, that somehow, after being told, we only had a 1% chance of ever getting pregnant, that somehow, we found me pregnant. And then again, 4 years later!
Fast forward to today, my husband and I will be celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary next year in Disney and our boys are ages 11 and 6. Two miracles. My boys are adventurous, ambitious and smart. By the time, we had kids, I was more than ready to become a stay at home mom. Being a stay at home mom has allowed me to continue coming up with fun activities for us to do during the day as well as learn, discover and explore!
But now, my kids are in school full time and I found myself needing to contribute to the family household. Okay to be completely honest, my husband told me, once both boys were in school full time, I had to find a job that pays money to be able to help at home financially. And that’s when I decided to take my passion for teaching our kids, learning, exploring and doing things together to my blog!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Yes, many challenges along the way. Being an older mom with younger kids in itself is a challenge. My kids want to do things… lots of things! Camping, hiking, playing hockey and they want me doing those things alongside with them. And I can’t believe I’m writing this but I want people to know who I am. I’m a mom going through menopause and arthritis in my knees and hands. Yet, I need to keep up with my kids. I find being up and active with my children can be challenging at times, but I’m going to do it because that’s what us moms do.
Another struggle was figuring out exactly how to make money on my website, NewEnglandMomma.com. I have a passion for researching and learning. I’ve enrolled in a few blogging classes to help me as there is just so much information on blogging to weed through. My first goal was to be able to make $300 a month, I have since accomplished that and am now working on doubling my income.
To others just starting out, I would say to surround yourself with other like-minded individuals. Having a community of supportive people, no matter what area of interest you are in helps with ideas and motivation. Ignore the nay-sayers and keep working at it – every day!
We’d love to hear more about NewEnglandMomma.com.
NewEnglandMomma.com is just that… it’s all about being a mom in New England. I’m talking about a fun inexpensive day to hike in a unique area such as Purgatory Chasm or we’re taking the ferry boat to George’s Island. We’re seeing the Worcester Railers hockey games and if laid-back is more your speed, where to go to pick strawberries.
I’ve found that so many moms are often too overwhelmed with everyday “stuff”, which is why my passion is to offer ideas for families such as camping, cooking, hiking, day-trips together on NewEnglandMomma.com. One of the things my readers love most is that I offer fun ideas that don’t ‘break the bank’ – who doesn’t love cheap or free?
Being in an active family means we are outdoors playing I-spy, camping, hiking and or hitting a ball around at the hockey rink. When inside, we enjoy family time by playing board games, crafts and having family movie nights. Whenever we get the chance, we are out on road trips exploring all that New England has to offer.
I really love being able to do so many fun activities with my boys and share the ‘what you need to know before you go’ tips with my readers. We figure it out, so it’s easier for you!
So much of the media coverage is focused on the challenges facing women today, but what about the opportunities? Do you feel there are any opportunities that women are particularly well positioned for?
Making money from your blog is something that anyone can do! Takes motivation, time, and determination to stick with it. Surround yourself with like-minded individuals. Read, research and write.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.newenglandmomma.com
- Email: info@newenglandmomma.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christinenemomma/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/newenglandmom/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/NewEnglandMomma
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/newenglandmomma
Image Credit:
Christine Gaudreau
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