writerwahm

Now back to our regularly scheduled programming after a brief holiday hiatus…

Parents who work outside the home may think a work at home job is easy.  But with young kids at home, working at home can present a challenge.  Creating work life balance, and using time efficiently, can be quite difficult when there are few boundaries between work and family time.  Here are five tips for maximizing your work and family time:

1.  Develop a Schedule that Works for You

Work with your children’s schedules, not against them.  If you’re a night owl, take advantage of post bedtime hours to get work done.  If you enjoy rising early, get a head start before the kids wake up.  Use nap time and school days to your advantage.

2.  Meet Your Kids’ Needs First

Cranky kids are less likely to let you get your work done.  Attend to your child’s needs first, then work on your projects.  You’ll be able to think more clearly and work more efficiently if your kids are content.

3.  Keep Kids Entertained

If you’re home alone with kids and need to get work done, keep kids entertained nearby.  My “office” (a corner of my living room) also doubles as playroom and dining room.  Once my 12 month old is fed, changed, and snuggled, she often plays with toys for a good stretch on the rug near my computer.  Older kids help keep baby and each other entertained when urgent projects cut into family time.

4.  Keep Organized

Don’t let stuff pile up, and keep your work area clutter free.  Purge unnecessary items daily, and make sure you have the tools of your trade handy.  It’s easier to think without a lot of clutter, and you’ll find that just a few minutes a day can make a big difference.  Staying organized is especially important with kids – you’ll want to be able to take advantage of work time by being ready to work when the opportunity arises.  You want to squander precious hours looking for your notes, or sorting through a cluttered mess.

5.  Get Help

As family and friends for child care help, or agree on “shifts” with your spouse when he or she is in charge of kids, and you are working.  Work at home parents, especially moms, often go to great lengths to do everything alone.  Make sure your spouse realizes that your work at home job really is a job, and you’ll need help to make sure you don’t cut corners at work or at home.