Family Time

Family time is worth the work…

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. We are all different.

There are also great direct sales companies out there. I currently do Avon and love it.

How Can I Earn Cash NOW?!

Companies Accepting At Home Workers Now – NO FEES:
Treasure Trooper
YouData
Hits4Pay
Fusion Cash
Memolink
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.

 

Tagged as: Family Time Ideas