MAKING WORKING AT HOME REALLY WORK

The idea of working at home is attractive, but the reality can be challenging.
Fortunately, most of the challenges one faces can be managed with a little effort
and forethought.
One of the most commonly encountered areas of frustration is combining work
and home. A few factors converge to complicate things for those working at
home. First, the traditional separation between work and home is eliminated.
Lines become blurred and problems ensue. Second, a primary motivator for
many working at home is a desire to spend more time with children. It’s a
laudable goal, but it also produces some complications.
Let’s take a look at some common problems and how to address them.

SPLITTING TIME: WORK AND FAMILY
If you’re new to working at home, you’ll quickly find that it’s not as
easy as you thought it would be to manage the home, the kids, and the
job. Many decide to leave the workforce, thinking that if they
instead work at home, that they will have plenty of time to keep the
house clean and organized while keeping the children under control.
The truth is, working at home takes much more motivation,
perseverance and commitment than a job outside the home does.
Balancing work and family can seem almost impossible at first, but
it is easier than that. While it is hard work to earn money while raising
your children, it is infinitely more rewarding than spending all day
away from your family only to come home tired and unwilling to
participate in family activities. However, if you’re struggling for
ways to keep the balance and maintain your sanity, look to these helpful tips.
Make lists and prioritize: This holds true for both personal and professional “to
dos.” Those who work at home will have no shortage of things around the house
to keep up with.
Knowing exactly what you need to accomplish will help you prioritize your day,
getting the most important things out of the way first. That way, if your day
doesn’t quite go as planned, it will be the least important things that don’t get
done.
Schedule your work and your play: When we have an outside job, our bosses
determine our schedules. We’re allowed breaks, lunches, and the occasional
vacation day. When working at home, those who keep a schedule are able to
stay on track and balance their work and home lives more efficiently.
Don’t forget to schedule some fun time as well. That way you aren’t taking away
time from work that needs to be done, causing a situation where working
overtime on a later day will cause family stress.
Respect your family’s wishes: If your children or spouse prefers to spend more
time with you when they get home, make a schedule that accommodates them.
Try to work less in the evenings and on the weekends, and work harder and
more efficiently during the day while they’re away.
Choose your battles wisely: Cutting the nonessential
tasks from your day will
save time, help you get your work done faster, and eliminate having your work
overflow into family time.
Those who work at home may be tempted to tackle the pile of laundry instead of
writing the proposal that is due, but choosing to fold laundry later while watching
television with the family is a much better idea than having to miss family time so
the proposal is done.
Being a work at home parent and spouse is a blessing, and many who are
unable to be at home to raise their children will tell you they wish they had the
means to work at home as well.
Though maintaining a healthy relationship with your work may be hard when
trying to juggle the responsibilities of being a parent, there are ways to do it
without sacrificing the precious time with your children or spouse