Work at Home Moms Articles – WAHM Articles

Working from home seems like such a great idea for a lifestyle… you can be home with the kids, working peacefully while you watch them play… all sunshine and roses… only in real life it’s not always quite so simple or rosey.

If your days feel like a constant stream of craziness you need to mix in at least a few brief moments of sanity and relaxation every day.

First, you’ve got to draw a line in the “sand”—for yourself and your family.

Setup working hours where you can focus and only be disturbed when really necessary. Arrange for your spouse, partner, older child, or a helper to be in charge of the children while you’re working. If that’s not possible set your working hours for nap time, early morning, or late at night when the children don’t need you and you can work productively.

How can you gently remind your family of your “work hours”? Here are some ideas:

* Add a small dry erase marker board to your office door or the edge or your office space that you can note: “Working” or “Come In!”

* Make a reversible open/closed style sign that you can flip based on whether you’re working or not.

* Try a visual clue like a “work hat” that you can wear while you’re working so younger children can easily see that reminder that Mommy is working.

* Set a timer for the amount of time you’ll be working and put it where it’s visible both to you and your family. When it goes off, you’re done working.

Then decide what hours you will be 100% focused on family and stick to it. Remember that the “line” is for you, too, so that you can let go of business during family time, and stay on the family side of that line.

Second, plan time for yourself. Even if it just a few minutes to start with you need time to relax. Maybe it’s a morning walk or jog. Maybe it’s going out to get your nails done. Or maybe it’s just a peaceful bubble bath at home. Whatever helps you calm yourself and reconnect to sanity, find it, and give yourself permission to take that time out.

Working from home can be a great decision, but learning where to draw that line and how to stay within smart boundaries is key to succeeding without losing your sanity.

And now, let me give you access to some great free resources for small businesses including 101 Free/Cheap Ways to Market Your Business, 119 Things You Can Outsource, and more at http://www.michelleshaeffer.com

Michelle Shaeffer has been a work at home mom for more than 10 years and loves to share the tips and strategies she’s learned to help other home based business owners balance, manage, and market their businesses.

This entry was posted on Friday, October 29th, 2010 at 8:30 am and is filed under Michelle Shaeffer. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.