How I Went from Stay-at-Home Mum to Front-End Web Developer

After nearly a decade working in marketing, I made the decision to leave the workforce in 2015 to become a stay-at-home mother. At the time, my son was a toddler and I was pregnant with my daughter. I knew I wanted to devote my full energy to my growing family.

What I didn‘t anticipate was how much I would miss the mental stimulation and sense of accomplishment my career provided. As much as I loved being with my children, a part of me yearned for something more.

I had always been intrigued by the tech world and had even dipped my toe into learning to code years earlier. But like many women, I talked myself out of pursuing it further, assuming I wasn‘t cut out for such a technical field.

"Only 25% of professional computing occupations are held by women" – National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT)

Becoming a mother shifted my perspective. I wanted to set an example for my children, especially my daughter, that it‘s never too late to learn new skills and chase your dreams. I also craved the flexibility and job security that a career in development could provide.

So in 2017, with a three-year-old and a one-year-old at home, I committed to learning front-end web development. It was the start of an arduous yet incredibly rewarding journey.

Challenges of Learning to Code as a Stay-at-Home Mum

Learning to code is hard. Learning to code while solo parenting two children under four is a special kind of torture. In those early days, my coding time was limited to nap times and the late evening hours when my kids were asleep.

A typical day looked like this:

• 6:00 AM – Wake up, breakfast, playtime with kids
• 9:00 AM – Morning nap for baby, coding time for mum
• 10:30 AM – Park outing and errands with kids
• 12:00 PM – Lunch, more playtime
• 1:30 PM – Afternoon nap for both kids, more coding for mum
• 3:30 PM – Snacks, activities with kids
• 5:30 PM – Dinner prep and family dinnertime
• 7:30 PM – Bedtime routines
• 9:00 PM – Evening coding session
• 11:30 PM – Bedtime for exhausted mum

On average, I was squeezing in 2-4 hours of study on a good day. Inevitably, this schedule would be thrown into chaos anytime one of my children was teething, going through a sleep regression, or fighting off one of the many bugs they picked up from playgroups.

Women already face significant hurdles entering and advancing in the tech field. Mothers face the compounded challenge of limited time and unpredictable schedules. A 2020 study by Mother Honestly found:

"79% of mothers say they don‘t have enough time for themselves, with nearly half (49%) saying they have less than an hour to themselves each day."

Trying to learn a new skill in the margins of caregiving is mentally and emotionally taxing. There were countless nights I fell asleep at my keyboard and mornings I had to dig deep to find the motivation to keep going.

But I was determined to model resilience and a growth mindset for my children. I learned to embrace the chaos and find strategies to make incremental progress.

My Coding Journey

I began my coding journey with freeCodeCamp, an online platform that provides a comprehensive curriculum in web development. I was drawn to their project-based approach and supportive community.

In the first few months, I focused on building a strong foundation in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. I supplemented the freeCodeCamp lessons with additional tutorials and courses on platforms like Udemy and YouTube.

Here‘s a table summarizing my first year learning to code:

Timeframe	Curriculum	Projects Completed
Months 1-3	HTML, CSS, Basic JS	10 freeCodeCamp projects
Months 4-6	Intermediate JS, Algorithms	20 freeCodeCamp projects, 1 website for a friend
Months 7-9	Responsive Web Design, APIs	1 website for local business, Data Visualization Certification
Months 10-12	Front-end frameworks, Advanced topics	Front End Libraries Certification, Portfolio website

By the end of that first year, I had completed over 30 projects and earned two freeCodeCamp certifications. More importantly, I had gained practical experience building real websites and felt confident in my ability to learn and problem-solve.

Key Skills for Front-End Development

Becoming a successful front-end developer requires a combination of technical skills, soft skills, and a commitment to continuous learning. Some of the most important skills I‘ve honed include:

• HTML/CSS – The building blocks of the web. A strong grasp of HTML and CSS is essential for creating well-structured, visually appealing web pages.

• JavaScript – The programming language that makes the web interactive. Proficiency in vanilla JavaScript is a must before tackling front-end frameworks.

• Responsive Web Design – Creating websites that look great and function well across a variety of devices and screen sizes.

• Front-end frameworks – Streamlined tools for building interactive user interfaces. Popular ones include React, Angular, and Vue.js.

• Version control – Using a system like Git to track code changes and collaborate with other developers. GitHub has become an industry standard.

• Problem-solving – The ability to break down complex problems, research solutions, and debug code. Strong analytical and logical thinking skills are a must.

• Communication – Clearly articulating ideas to clients and collaborating effectively with team members. Writing and communication skills are often underrated in tech.

• Time management – Balancing competing priorities, managing project timelines, and avoiding burnout. Especially crucial for parents juggling caregiving responsibilities.

Ultimately, the most important skill is a willingness to be a lifelong learner. The world of web development evolves rapidly, and staying relevant requires a commitment to continuous skill development.

"The most successful developers are the ones who never stop learning and challenging themselves to grow." – Emma Wedekind, Software Engineer & Tech Blogger

Launching My Front-End Career

After a year of intense study and building my portfolio, I felt ready to start pursuing paid development work. I began by reaching out to my network, letting friends and family know about my new skills and availability for freelance projects.

I also joined local tech meetups and online communities to connect with other developers and expand my opportunities. I landed my first freelance gig through a friend of a friend who needed a simple website for their small business.

Over time, I took on more projects and grew my confidence in working with clients and delivering quality work. I also continued to refine my skills by building my own projects and learning new technologies.

Here are a few key milestones from my journey to becoming a professional front-end developer:

Milestone	Timeframe	Significance
First paid project	14 months after starting to learn code	Validation of skills and ability to provide value
Earned freeCodeCamp Front End Certification	18 months	Demonstrated mastery of key front-end skills
Built personal portfolio website	20 months	Showcase of projects and skills for potential clients/employers
Consistent freelance income	2 years	Provided motivation and financial breathing room to continue skill development
Landed first full-time front end job	2.5 years	Culmination of hard work and proof that career change is possible

Advice for Other Career-Changing Parents

Changing careers is hard. Doing so while raising children is even harder. But with the right strategies and mindset, it is achievable. Here‘s my advice for other parents looking to break into tech:

1. Block out dedicated learning time – Treat your coding time like you would any other important commitment. Schedule it, protect it fiercely, and show up consistently even when you don‘t feel like it.

2. Embrace incremental progress – You likely won‘t have large blocks of uninterrupted time to code. Squeeze in learning whenever you can, even if it‘s just for 15 minutes. Small progress adds up over time.

3. Involve your kids when possible – Let your children see you learning and talk to them about what you‘re doing. My kids took an interest in my coding projects and even started learning basics like HTML right alongside me.

4. Find your community – Connect with other adults who are learning to code, especially other parents. These connections provide support, accountability, and collaborators for projects.

5. Practice self-compassion – Learning to code is filled with frustration, mistakes, and roadblocks. Be kind to yourself and celebrate your growth. Also remember to step away from the computer regularly to recharge.

6. Leverage your existing skills and network – Changing into tech doesn‘t mean leaving behind your prior career expertise. Use your background to your advantage and tap into your established network for opportunities.

7. Play the long game – Pacing yourself is key to avoiding burnout. Patience, persistence, and consistency will beat out short sprints of intense effort. View your coding journey as a marathon, not a sprint.

"The secret to getting ahead is getting started." – Mark Twain

Final Thoughts

Reflecting back, learning to code as a stay-at-home mother was one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my life. It pushed me way outside my comfort zone and forever altered the trajectory of my career.

But more than that, it changed how I view myself and my capabilities. I discovered a resilience and determination I didn‘t know I had. I learned that I could achieve ambitious goals through consistent effort, even in the midst of chaos. And I gained a creative outlet and marketable skill that provides me immense personal and professional satisfaction.

My experience is a testament that it‘s possible to reinvent yourself and change careers while being an engaged parent. You don‘t have to choose between your children and your dreams. With strategic planning, hard work, and a support system you can pursue both.

To all the coding parents out there, know that your perspective and experiences are assets in the tech world. Embrace the unique journey that is learning to code with kids in tow. And never underestimate your ability to shape a fulfilling career while raising the next generation.