Berta: Single mum of four, teacher, and a way out

As a single mother of four, I know that anyone can make it in this job. I'm Berta, 48 years old, and I live in the beautiful city of Bremen in northern Germany. I'm a primary school teacher, I love children and that's why I have lots of them myself: four wonderful girls. That's a wonderful gift.

I had four children with a great man who unfortunately moved out when the youngest was three and the oldest eleven, with a nine-year-old and a five-year-old in between. At that time I was at home as a housewife and mother. The law here says: you have to start working immediately. So I went back to work straight away, had to look after the children and drive them around, earn money, but also mow the lawn, fix the internet, I connected the washing machine myself. I had to do everything, plus marking class tests.

Without exaggerating, I worked from five or six in the morning until almost midnight and at some point I was really desperate, because I realised: you can't manage like this. As a teacher I can luckily shift my time a bit, work more or fewer hours. But no matter how I shifted it: either there wasn't enough time or not enough money, or both.

Then you're emotionally worn down. It was a tough situation, and I know many single parents can relate. I cried many nights and realised: this will go on for ten to 15 years. I could have managed two or three more years, but not that long. You have to do something. And I'm that kind of person: I know there's always a way out, whatever the problem. Giving up is simply not an option in life. We only live once.

So I set off and looked, and very quickly a great opportunity landed at my feet where I can work from home. I can be with the children. That's exactly what you want: not another job where you're just away even more. I can work without a boss and decide my own hours. I worked when the kids were at sports, in the car on my phone, or in the evening when they were in bed. I didn't even know something like this existed.

And I went for it. Of course, at first it came on top of everything else. The children weren't exactly thrilled at first, and neither was the family. But I knew what I was doing it for. Sometimes you do more at first, but then you're out. And I found the way. […] If I want to, I can turn this side job into my main job. I'm out of that whole mess because I looked for ways and believed in it. And you can all do it too.

I know there are so many women and men out there who feel the same. Some are married and still lonely, or they're at home and don't know how they can work because they don't want to leave their children. This is a great opportunity. I'm doing better than ever in my life. I'm so grateful, I have wonderful children, the oldest has already moved out. Finding this is truly my good fortune, and I've grown stronger personally.

If this speaks to you or you're in a similar situation, get in touch with me. That's my mission now: to help you find this path too. I'm truly happy to be there for you.