Need Advice from Other WAHM Moms

First of all, you have to be VERY focused with your time while he's at school. No chatting with friends, etc. You have to pretend you're away at an office with nothing to do but work.
Second, make it a point to spend some good time with him as soon as he gets home from school. Have a snack, play a couple games, read a book. After about 30 min to an hour of "mommy time" he should be happy to do something else. Mine actually have rest time in their rooms after mommy time. I think they just need a little break after a day at preschool. After that, break out the play-doh or something that he doesn't get to play with much and let him play it next to your computer desk (put a shower curtain down to protect your carpet if there's not a table where he can play near where your computer is. Make sure you have a stash of "self-entertaining" toys. The Thomas "take-along" track, Fisher Price Little People, Geotrax. An easel and washable watercolors could be a good 20 minutes of entertainment.
Also, if you can be in the same room with him while he watches a video or TV he may be less likely to interrupt.
You might have to spend some effort training him for rest time or "room time" if he doesn't already play on his own. If this is new, start with 5 minutes (set a timer for him) and as he's successful, increase by 5 minute increments until he can play for an hour. My 2 1/2 yr old can do this, so an older child should be able to handle it. He occasionally pops out to ask me something, but he goes back in when I remind him that room time isn't over yet. It also helps if room time is followed by something fun with you. You can minimize distractions by making sure he goes potty and has a water bottle with him in his room.

Outside play is also a good way to keep mine busy. My desk is near a window, so I can send the kids out to the sandbox for some fun time. Bubbles and sidewalk chalk are also fun. My son will happily play out there by himself, so no need for hs sister to be around to keep him busy.

You'll also need training in "phone manners" -- before you get on the phone, tell him what you expect him to do, then practice it with phone calls to daddy, friends, etc. I ask mine to either be quiet or go to another room. If they need me while I'm on the phone, they are supposed to put one hand on my leg or arm and wait quietly until I can see what they need.

If you have 2 computers, teach him how to use a mouse and set him up on Starfall.com or with one of the Jumpstart CD-roms for kids. There are even JumpStarts for toddlers that don't require the ability to use a mouse. SesameStreet.com also has some games that require just pushing keys rather than using a mouse, but Jumpstart is better.

Of course, there's always the in-house sitter or "mother's helper." One time I had a deadline to meet and got a teenager to come over for a couple hours. It was WONDERFUL. She took them to the park and fed them lunch and put them down for their naps. Of course, she's unavailable now that school has started, but you might be able to find a 12-14-yr-old who would like to play with him after school. School gets out at 3:00 or 3:30, so you can still get some good work time after that. Or, if you know any home school kids that would like to earn a few extra dollars....

Hope this helps!

I know what you mean! What I have found is that when I give my 3 boys my undivided attention for a period of time after we get home, they are much more likely to be content playing alone when I am working. Sometimes we go to the park or sometimes we just play with their toys together. Good Luck!

D.
www.myfamilymyfuture.com

Maggie has some good suggestions. I too work mostly from home and have found that I almost need to work two shifts. I have two boys and they still need some guidance to get started on homework and some help and also just want to reconnect at the end of their school day. I do get up extra early to get some work done before I have to get them up. My boys are older and I can tell you that the problem doesn't get much easier as they get older (especially when you have two and they sometimes fight). As Maggie mentioned, you do need to be extremely focused while you have your quiet time and save tasks that you can deal better with interruptions for when he's home. I do have one task that MUST be done on Thursday nites (I have information that I have to get online for folks in Europe to have first thing in the morning and I don't get the input I need until after 6 on Thursday). That is the only time that I am absolute about no interruptions and "no, I can't help you with that now". Other than that time, they are the priority. As another mother recommended, it might really be helpful for you to get a helper in if you find that you must do your work during that timeframe.

What type of work are you doing from home?

To be honest, he really needs your time! I work from home quite a bit, and I try to only work when my daughter is napping, eating (I'm right next to her) or, if I have to be on a call, I let her watch 30 minutes of TV. But otherwise, I dedicate as much time to her as possible. She deserves my time more than work. It's hard, and sometimes means I work at night when she's in bed, but it's really the only solution, unless you're willing to hire a mother's helper or sitter for the time that you want to work and he's home. But, expecting a 2.5 year-old to sit still and quiet for hours so you can work just isn't really fair to him. He loves you and wants you, so he'll keep bugging you!

One thing you could do when you need to be on the phone is get out "The special toy box" that you only get out when you are on the phone. Put toys/books in it that your child really likes...and only get it out when you are on the phone. Keep it put up the rest of the time.

I have an almost 2 year old boy and a 4 year old daughter and I have successfully been working from home for almost 3 years. My wah job is very flexible so I do my calls etc around my kids schedules and have not had a problem but I do my own scheduling so it works out. If you plan out your calls in advance you can have playdough at the table while you are on a call or coloring or block building etc. And again as others have said, get it done while he is at school when he comes home he needs, mommy time. :) Working from home is such a blessing in my life and I wish you success. :)
M.
www.workathomeunited.com/texas to request info.

What type of work do you do from home?