FAMILY TIME: BALANCING WORK AT HOME AND FAMILY LIFE
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Family time is worth the work...
By Kelly Land, © 2005- 2008, All rights reserved.
 Work at
home and family can mix like water and oil!
I don't care what anyone says....
Working at home is no picnic! Yes, when I was working full
time as a radio jock I had my ideas of what working at home
would be like. My hectic radio schedule would be gone. There
would be no remotes, no concert meet and greets, no more
interviews, no more waking up at 4:30AM!! My house would be
the cleanest in the neighborhood. My flower garden would be
weeded ALL the time! My husband would feel like the luckiest
man on earth because I would actually have time to cook! And
my dear, sweet children would be the cleanest, most
well-behaved, well cared for children ever. I would be here
for them whenever they needed me. I would play Barbies and
video games with my kids. I would take walks and ride bikes
with them when ever I wanted. Working at home would be
paradise. Simply put...working at home is like working TWO
jobs at the SAME time. Be ready!
For a very long time I would work into the wee hours of the
morning. I had no house cleaning to distract me and my
family was fast asleep. Each day I would pay heavily for the
sleep deprivation. After a year of this, it started
effecting my health and my relationship with my kids and
husband. The price was TOO high.
Striking a balance is so hard.
Soon I changed my schedule to getting up earlier than
everyone else. I'd be up and working at 6:00am. I didn't say
I'd be showered and have a healthy breakfast. I was "up" at
6:00am and at my computer with a cup of coffee. At 7:30 my
son and husband would be ready for school and work and out
the door. My now 4 year old daughter would be ready for
breakfast. For awhile I would let her watch cartoons, then
she'd color next to my desk....but it became increasingly
harder to keep her stimulated and active. What could I do?
Eventually I worked out play time with other moms in the
area. It still works to this day. Soon she'll be starting
kindergarten, and things will be easier. But if you're
working at home with small children, toddlers specifically
--the challenge can be more than you bargained for. Nap
times can grab you some work time, if you're not knee deep
in housework or exhausted yourself.
Mornings seem to work better than trying to burn the
midnight oil. You CAN and will make yourself sick going
without enough sleep for long periods of time. I'm a
notorious night owl, I work much better at night -- but I
was killing myself. If you do not have your health, you have
nothing. Make that your mantra!
Once kids are in school--- yes, it's a lot easier. But if
you don't have that luxury just yet than you need to be
ready and willing to work in tiny chunks throughout the day.
Play groups are wonderful. Finding another mom that is
willing to "trade" playtime each week is worth looking into.
It would cost you nothing and you could garner a day or two
of solid work time to boot. USE the time for work! (Not
laundry, dishes or vacuuming!) Trust me on this one. I tried
to "do it all" in my chunks of time and ended up a fried,
grouchy mess of a woman.
Keep yourself organized, keep your work all in one place and
have snacks and easy to prepare lunches ready. It will make
things go more smoothly for you.
Make sure you try to work in some exercise too. REAL
exercise like walking. Get the family together for a stroll
in the evening, or pop in a work-out tape that offers 10
minute exercises you can do throughout the day.
Remember in the end, if working at home is making you
miserable - it may not be right for you. Self-discipline to
"work" is hard when you're in the most comfy place in the
world. I had to train myself to "work at home". It's been
three years since I started. My kids are older, I'm older
(maybe wiser) and my husband is a tremendous help. I've
worked out the "work at home" kinks, but it's taking many
trial and error methods.
Give yourself a break and don't rush it. Try different
schedules and see what "feels" best. If you're a new mom,
then really give yourself a break. Your body is recovering,
and your baby needs you. Yes, earning a living or
supplemental income is important - of course it is. But you
need to find the right "career" or home business and the
right schedule to give that home business or job your full
attention. For me that job was
Procard International. For
you it may be transcription, direct sales or customer
service. We are all different.
There are also great direct sales companies out there. I
currently do three direct sales companies and love the
diversity! (Avon,
Barefoot Books
and
Tastefully Simple)
There also ways to earn cash on the Net. Fun programs, and
programs that do take some effort and tracking.
Fusion Cash
Pay Per Post
Send Earnings
Survey Princess
Trust yourself, feed your soul and make your family your
priority. The rest will fall into place.
Balancing work and family time is getting increasingly
harder, but it's important to take the steps to find that
balance.
This article is not available
for reprint. Please do not reprint without express written
permission.
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