Working at Home: Tips for the Work-At-Home Parent

Working at home, as a parent, can be rewarding as well as challenging. As a work at home parent, we are not only expected to get work done, but also to take care of the children and house. Managing time can be very chaotic. Getting any work done can be next to impossible. Here are some of the tricks I use to manage my time better and get more done throughout my day.

First of all, try to get up each day at least an hour before your kids normally do. This gives you time to wake up, gather your thoughts and get a bit of work done before they even open their little eyes. Chances are, you will be very productive when your house is quiet and you can really concentrate on your work. Of course, you probably won't accomplish as much as you'd like, but it is a good start to your day.

Have a normal routine for your kids to follow. In my house, they wake up,eat breakfast, get dressed, and then watch television for an hour. This gives me in total close to three hours of working time first thing in the morning. A lot can be accomplished in that amount of time.

Second, make time for housework and spend time with your kids. This is why most of us choose to work from home. Include your kids in the household chores, make it fun, then play a game, go to the park, or watch a movie. Anything to spend that quality time with them. If they know that you will spend time with them, they will be more cooperative while you are working.

Third, try to work when it is quieter in your house. You will be more productive when your house is calmer. Set a time for your kids to engage in independent activities. This will encourage them to become more independent, as well as give you more time to work. Tell them that they are to play quietly for a specific amount of time and stick to it. They will probably rebel at first, but once they see that you will stick to the time limit, they will be more receptive. If needed, set a timer.

Fourth, have a specific area in your house that is designated for work. This can be helpful in putting you in the work mode as well as silently telling your kids that your are working at that time. It also gives you something to walk away from at the end of your work day. This helps your mind transfer from work mode to home mode.

Fifth, take time for yourself. Working at home differs from working outside the home in that work and home are one in the same. You probably don't see as many people as you would if you worked somewhere else. You need time to socialize, or at least get away. Take a walk, go to the gym, visit a friend. Do something that helps you reconnect with being a person. Don't just stay at home all of the time because you don't have to get out.

Most importantly, take time off. Just as any other job has time off, you need it too. Set a time every day when you will stop working for the day, and stick to it. For example, your work day ends when your spouse comes home from work, or your when it is time to cook supper. When that time of day comes, stop working. Go back to it the next day. If you have an idea, or something you need to do, write it down and do it the next morning. It may be right there in front of you and easy to access, but if you go back to working after you stop, it becomes a habit that is really hard to break, and before you know it, you will be working all day, every day.

Working at home can be a great experience if you manage your time. Make time for children, household chores, family, your spouse, and of course, yourself. Set limits on your working time. Don't overwork yourself. Set a routine, and do your best to stick with it. These little things make the biggest difference in working from home successfully.