Working from home is growing increasingly common among the millennial generation. It helps you start a business, build up a network of clients, explore other careers, earn more money—simply pave your own path.

But while you’ll have to sacrifice your traditional job and steady paycheck for it, remote work can be well worth it.

Your family won’t always be sold on the idea though. They may think that you’re only between jobs or you’re having a hard time finding an office position. You can also expect to be asked what it is that you do all day or when you can finally get a real job again.

As frustrating as it might be, you must realize that it’s not because they don’t support you. It’s more that they don’t understand what remote work is to begin with. If you want to know how to better explain it to your parents, here are a few tips to guide you:

Prepare to talk about it

Regardless of your industry or specialization, your parents are likely interested in hearing about it. Don’t offer dismissive responses with the assumption that they don’t care. Consider it an opportunity to hone your marketing skills.

Convince your mom and dad as if you’re selling your value to a potential client.

Show the numbers

According to a 2018 report from the Philippine Statistics Authority, the self-employed are the second largest class of workers, making up 26.9% of the total employed. There’s also an estimated 1.5 million Filipino online freelancers.

These numbers alone can show your parents that working online is part of the new employment landscape and that it’s a completely safe opportunity.

Use an analogy

Compare remote work to something like running a small business. Frame your explanation in a way that puts you as the CEO, account manager, marketing head and intern in one.

In addition to being a virtual assistant or whatever specialist you might be, you’re also negotiating, paying taxes, signing contracts and doing other tasks that an entrepreneur would do.

Prove your professionalism

Show that you aren’t just surfing around the web all day. Present your professional website, share your business plan, inform them when you’ve hit important milestones, stress how full your schedule can get and so on.

You want to get it across that while you can work from anywhere in your pajamas, you aren’t being a lazy bum who’s freeloading off your parents or anyone else.

Get into the details

You can call yourself any fancy title that you want, be it “web development rock star” or “digital marketing evangelist”. But when you are conversing with your parents, specify what it is that you actually do.

Do you write articles, edit videos, publish blogs or make music? Then, tell your parents that. Create a short summary of your tasks if the scope of your work is very broad.

Be transparent

The digital nomad life is liberating as it allows you to travel to places while working. On social media, it’ll appear as if you’re living a comfortable life, even when you aren’t.

That’s because you also have bills to pay and clients to chase like everyone else.

Be forthright with your parents as well as your followers on social media that working from home isn’t always rainbows and butterflies.

Demonstrate your expertise

Stay updated on new trends in your industry and become familiar with the market. In this way, you’ll have an answer to those who ask about the future of your career or field.

Move the conversation to a place where you can show off your skills, knowledge and experience. And remember to mention recent accomplishments and opportunities where you can increase your income or scope.

Set some boundaries

Get your loved ones attuned to your remote lifestyle. This can mean that you won’t answer any personal phone calls until after 5 pm, or that you will only head to the beach once you’ve finished a certain amount of work.

You might work in the living room of your parents’ house but boundaries will help your family understand that you’re serious about your job, even outside of an office setting.

Express your joy

When your virtual job sparks joy in your life, you must tell your loved ones that. It might be because of the flexibility of your schedule, the opportunities to learn, or whatever else.

After all, they want you to be financially stable and happy as well. This puts them at ease that you’re working towards something that you find rewarding or enjoyable.

Work with Remote Workmate

Make your parents feel even more assured of your decision to work online by connecting with Remote Workmate. We connect virtual assistants to legitimate paying clients. If you lose your client but perform well, we’ll endorse you for upcoming roles that suit your skills and background.

Plus, we update our list of job vacancies regularly, so you might want to check it out right now.