Adjusting to Working from Home

The internet has given employees the ability to work from home. It can be a big adjustment to learn the self discipline needed to work from home while staying on top of things at the office. If your spouse is stay at home parent then that adjustment is even harder for both you and your spouse. If you are a stay at home mom or dad then there are a few ways to cope when your spouse is suddenly working from home.

My husband began working from home over two years ago. At first I was excited to have him readily available at home but that excitement quickly turned to agitation when I felt he was interfering with my daily routine or when he felt that I was interfering with his work.

Working from Home: Having a Home Office

Having a separate office is essential when one spouse is working from home. If you do not set up a home office then you will be tripping over each other. My husband's office is in the basement. He has a separate phone and fax line so that he is not bothered with non-business phone calls. He will close the door to the basement to keep the noise level down.

Having a home office will save the sanity of both husband and wife. An office will keep business issues private but it will also keep daily household issues separate. If the kids are fighting there is no need for a business associate to hear it or know about it.

Working from Home: Establishing a Routine

The stay at home parent already has a daily routine. The work from home spouse needs to set up his own routine that is not dependent on each other. I try to keep my routine the same whether or not my husband is working from home or at the company.

If you are working from home then get up and get dressed like you normally would every morning. You are more likely to get things done if you are not working in your pajamas. Also, quit working at quitting time. Do not answer your phone or emails during off hours. Getting into that habit only interferes with family time and it means that you could easily be working a seventy hour work week.

Working from Home: Expectations

The work day is the work day. Do not expect your husband to be able to drop everything to help you carry in the groceries. Likewise, do not expect your wife to become your personal secretary.

These kinds of expectations can lead to resentment and arguments. As long as you keep in mind that your spouse has his or her own job to do then you will get along when one begins working from home.

Working from Home: Taking Breaks

Everyone needs a break but don't expect your spouse to be ready for a break at the same time that you are. Husbands and wives need downtime so let your spouse have their time when they are ready to take it.

My husband loves to take a break and start straightening up the house in the middle of the day. This drives me nuts because I feel like he thinks that I'm not doing what needs to be done. I have come to learn that this is his way of getting away from the office for a few minutes.

Working from Home: Don't Nag

This is for both the stay at home parent and the work from home spouse. If you are stay at home mom then don't nag your husband about doing chores during the workday. If you are a work at home husband then do not nag your wife about why the floor isn't mopped.

When both spouses are home it is easy to see what the other one is NOT doing but there are other things that he or she may be doing that you don't necessarily see. To keep your marriage sane, don't assume that your spouse is not doing their work.

It can be very stressful when suddenly your spouse is working from home. Too much togetherness can cause arguments between you. As long as you can separate your office life from your home life you will able to make this adjustment easily.