- Image by atconc via Flickr
One of the top reasons many women become work at home moms is to be available for the children. Most choose to start when the children are young and need constant supervision. Many continue the experience as the children get older because of the flexibility it offers.
It can be a struggle being a work at home mom. You are constantly juggling the needs of the children with the needs of the business. Finding a balance between the two is the key to being a successful (and peaceful) work at home mom. Here are some tips on how to achieve this:
1. Make a schedule of times when you KNOW you won’t be disturbed (early in the morning, late at night or during naps). There are several hours in each day that you can devote to work that are completely undisturbed by the rest of the household.
2. Keep a calendar of all the children’s activities close at hand (include everything from doctor’s appointments to carpools). It will help you know how to juggle your schedule if you always have the important events written out for easy access.
3. Use that same calendar to keep track of due dates or projects that you need to complete. It will help you stay on track if you know what you have to do and when you have to do it. You can use a paper calendar or even one of the many automated calendar programs (that will sound an alarm when things are suppose to happen).
4. ALWAYS aim to complete your projects at least three days ahead of schedule. Procrastination can be one of the major pitfalls of the work at home mom. Keep it at bay by staying ahead of schedule.
5. Expect the unexpected. One of the main reasons that people choose to work at home is so that they can be flexible. You want to be able to walk away from work if the children have an unexpected awards program or they are just sick. Plan to have unexpected down time – keep ahead of your workload, set aside a day that can be a time for catching up, plan on getting up an hour early (or staying up an hour later) the day after the unexpected changes occur.
6. Put the children first. Whether it’s a splinter in the finger or a question about homework, help the children to understand that they are more important than any project or work schedule. Remember that they are the main reason that you are a work at home mom.
The best way to balance your children’s schedules and your work load is to stay organized. Keep lists and schedules easily accessible and keep them up to date. Before long you will find that the juggling act is really much easier than it looks.
Tracy,
I have also found that scheduling is a very important factor while working at home. I use my MS Outlook calendar and I put everything on it. The biggest challenge is to pull yourself away from your work and do what your calendar says. For example: for today I want to have vacuuming, dishes and three loads of laundry done before 4pm. I also want dinner finished and ready by 5:30p. I put each of these chores on my calendar and I follow it. While in the middle of writing, if my calendar notice tells me to vacuum, then I get up and I do it. I am in charge of me, my work is not.
This is my first summer working from home and staying home with my Children. Even though it’s not always easy, I wouldn’t trade it for any other job in the world. I love being here for my children even if Im stuck in front of the computer most of the day. They understand that mommy is making money.
I often work with my 2 yr old at my feet and this summer, although I did take some time off, my kids were happily playing around the house while I spent a few minutes each day doing work.