Work at Home Moms

Here's one tip: Each night, list your top 6 priorities for the next day and rank them in order of importance. THen just work your list, no matter how long it takes or how often you get interuppted. If you don't get to some of the items, they can be the first ones at the top of the next day's list. That way, you feel like you've gotten something accomplished each day and you're tackling the most important tasks first.

BTW, if your business is a Network Marketing company, I have found a wonderful site that I just love...it's called www.NetworkMarketingCentral.com. It's all about working your business in such a way that you do not have to go to your friends, family and neighbors unless you want to. Check it out when you have time!

M.
"My son finally eats all his veggies. Even the green ones"
www.GoodHealthMadeSimple.com

I have twin 3 year olds as well! It is absolutely essential (for me) to set a schedule. I need to have dedicated business time and dedicated family time. That way, I can be a productive business person and a loving mother at the same time!

D.
www.myfamilymyfuture.com

I have been self-employed for 15 years and most of that time as a single mom & working from home with kids around. I have gotten good productive work time in early before they get up, during their naptimes, after their bedtimes, and yes, on the couple of days a week I take them to a sitter. No set schedule for me; that seems to evolve naturally as the day's events unfold. I was always very firm with my kids in drawing a line between being nurturing mommy and being working mommy. I just rarely mix the two. When I'm working at my desk or on the phone in the vehicle, I am focused & serious - and I never let them think I am focused on them (unless those eyes in the back of my head have to notice something, then they're in big trouble). Most children are aweful soon as Mom gets on the phone so I taught mine to be really quiet during that time. It is possible. The best teaching arena for that is when I'm on the phone w/ family & friends, I do not speak to them when I'm on the phone b/c thats the exact attention they want, NOT even to tell them to be quiet - but I will take the noisy toy away a the first squeek, tap them on their mouth to indicate I want that mouth to be quiet, even set them in a timeout without a single word. There is nothing wrong with kids being taught to listen twice as much as they speak. As far as "entertaining", that's a funny thing to me. I have always told my kids its my job to feed, clothe, put a roof over their heads and teach/guide them about the important things in life - but I have made it clear I am not here to entertain them (consequently as adolescents/teens, my kids never bothered whining that "I'm bored!" line at me). Kids are the most capable of all to entertain themselves - even with far less than you and I had as kids to play with (think of generations before us). I give/gave them one-on-one quality time but without giving them the idea their own happiness is dependent on me. But when I'm working, and they make noise, that's a big no-no, so by 15months old, I could raise my finger to my mouth and thats all it took to get the quiet I need. Its a trade-off though; can't have it quiet all the time - so when I can, I give them their noisy time. Eventually, it becomes a mutual thing. In a nutshell, I don't owe my kids anything except a healthy, happy me - WAH is part of that. At the same time, I do expect them to help me keep this boat afloat. Even at 3 y-o they can do their part. A nice side result of all this has been that both my 23 y-o and my 16 y-o are already succussful young businessmen themselves. Hope some of that helps you - and therefore indirectly helps your kids want to be entreprenuers/WAHM/WAHDs themselves one day. - A.

I work from home for a large corporation. I'm often on conference calls that I lead or the calls are with executives. Having my 21 month old at home does not work. She doesn't understand that she has to be quiet when I'm on the phone. Additionally, she is very social so for her, being at home would not be stimulating enough.

She goes to a academy/preschool/day care during the week. If she's sick, I can keep her home, but I'm not nearly as productive.

Hi A.. I feel your pain...working at home with kids is a complete balancing act. I'm going on my third year doing it and you get in a groove, but it doesn't necessarily get easier.

I'm part of a WAHM group called the Network of Enterprising Women. We are all independent business owners and mothers and we support each other in our businesses. Check it out and if you are interested in joining, contact us. Go to www.ntxnew.org

We have a section in our monthly meetings called Mastermind where the group discusses specific challenges. It helps to collaborate with other people in the same situation!

Thanks and good luck

Hi A.,

I have been a WAHM for 3 years now and I have to say it is so much harder than when I worked FT outside my home. I have 3 girls 12, 7 and 16 months so I completely understand trying to entertain while working.

I have found that having a set schedule with "business hours" has really been a blessing. I have also found if you can get outside your home a few hours a week, like to starbucks, and get busy work and phonecalls done that is productive as well.

If you have a business that requires you to go outside the home then pick some combination of days for you to be available to others and stick to it. That way you are more organized with a set schedule and you know what to say when people ask your availability.

My youngest starts MDO this week too so I have set my schedule around that. An ex. is Tues & Thurs while she is in school from 9-12 I am outside my house somewhere that has free WIFI working on my business only. From 12-3 on those days we are back at home and she is napping so I am doing house work. MWF we have atleast 1 playdate with our playgroup and naptime is used to get house work done again but also to prepare for "workdays" and return phone calls. Thurs night & Saturday afternoon are used for work only as needed and is also used for "me" time so I go to dinners, movies etc. with my moms group. No work on Sunday!

If you find yourself getting too busy then I would also say you need to look at having someone help you. You can use a virtual asst online or find a high school student for cheap. Even another mom who maybe would work for product if you have it might be willing to pitch in. :) Also invest in an organizer that is made just for us. I never used one until I found the momagenda and now I don't know how I lived without it!

That was alot but I hoped I helped! It sounds like an exciting time for you. Good luck!

My method might sound crazy to some, but it works for me. I do my work from the time my son goes to bed till about 3 or 4 am. Then I nap with him during the day to get more than enough sleep.