Life as a WAHM (Work at Home Mom) or WAHD (Work at Home Dad) can be challenging and rewarding. While there aren't many traditional 'lunch breaks,' the ability to work at home while raising children has helped many moms earn extra income in the motherhood years, or given fathers the opportunity to be home and work. What are some ways to create a balance between work and home when a mom or dad is working in a home with children present?
Consider Space Options
A larger home offers the opportunity to create an entirely separate office space. Obviously, it is ideal to have a room designated for a desk, wall calendar, organizational shelves, filing cabinets, and other office accessories like a printer, fax, etc. With older children, it is easy enough to just make this area 'off limits,' while if younger children are in the mix, it may be necessary to set up a playpen area or small art desk area where kids can exist in (occasional!) harmony in the home office.
If the home is smaller, and the office space is limited to a desk space in an existing room, try to choose a room with as few distractions as possible. For example, if the home has a formal dining room that is used very little, this might be a good spot to set up an office area. The living room or kitchen can be difficult to work in with televisions and other distractions.
Scheduling is Key
When working at home with kids present, one of the most important things is the almighty schedule. Try to create a schedule that encourages kids to nap at the same time each day in order to accomplish defined periods of work. Have a time set aside for a movie or favorite television show for children so that a few key work tasks can be accomplished at this time. Use checklists for organization of tasks to be completed.
Ignore Household Chores
One of the most difficult things about working at home with kids is also having household chore distractions. If one is trying to complete a work deadline ant the same time as dealing with a fussy toddler, getting the dishwasher emptied or the laundry done as well is too much to ask. Designate a day of the week for household chores so they don't interfere with working and parenting.
Enlist Help of Other At-Home Workers
If a neighbor or friend has a similar working situation of children and work at home, arrange a trade-off. Neighbor takes the kids one morning, you take them another, allowing focused work time, kids-free, even if it is only one day a week.
Working at home is both challenging and rewarding – the key is to compartmentalize time to the best of one's ability.
Mary McCarthy - Mary T. McCarthy is the blogger at pajamasandcoffee.com and Editor of Chesapeake Family magazine.
