Moms Online-What About The Kids?

A free article on Work Life Balance

How many times have you heard someone say that to you? You tell a friend that you have an online business so you can work at home and immediately they want to know 'what about the kids, who will look after them while you work?' Well, it's a good question though isn't it. Can you run your own business and be a work at home mom, or should you devote your time to the kids.

An online business can be the ideal solution to being a work at home mom and also keeping your independence-and sanity! On paper it is so easy to work and take care of the children simultaneously. In practice it takes a little more planning but it can be done. Here are a few ideas to help make your life easier:

1. Make a plan of your day. Have a flexible timetable and stick to it as close as possible. If your kids are school age, plan to do your work in the day. If you have a toddler, work when they are in nursery. Plan your work timetable too, so you don't waste time reading junk emails or getting caught up in forum chat. Prioritise so that the most important tasks get done first. That way, if you are called away from work because your child needs you, the most important work duties are taken care of.
2. Enlist the help of friends who have similar age children to yours. You could take it in turns having all the kids at once. One mom looks after the kids one day whilst the other moms can work. You could get a couple of child free days like this.
3. Don't spend your time cleaning and doing housework. Again, make a rota of the main jobs. As long as your home is basically clean it doesn't matter about toys being out or the cushions being plumped up every day. If your children are school age they could help with some chores in return for pocket money-it's never too early to learn how to earn!
4. Have a contingency plan. If you have a deadline to meet or a particularly heavy workload, what do you do if your child is sick? This is where grandma can help out. You will probably find that grandparents are happy to be needed and will be willing to help you out.
5. Take time out! In return for your children being cared for by other people and supporting you whilst you are busy working, take time out that is exclusively for you and your children to spend together. It doesn't matter whether you do an activity, go for a walk or just chat together, but it has to be quality time.
6. Review your business tasks and decide which can be done with your children around, and prioritise your time around that. If you can place ads whilst your kids are playing then do that. Save your 'alone' time for the jobs where you need total concentration and quiet.
7. Don't ever feel guilty for working. Whenever you feel a pang of guilt because you have asked a friend or a grandparent to look after the children, remind yourself that you are doing this to improve life for all of you. Your children will benefit in the long term.

Being a work at home mom is emotionally and financially rewarding, but it can be a daunting task trying to run a successful business and be super mom! Try to accept offers of help when you are working and don't take on too many tasks at once. You will burn yourself out!
Above all enjoy being a work at home mom and make the most of every day. You really can have it all!

Article Source: http://www.cyberlines.net/directory

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Owner of www.onlinehomebased.com providing work from home ideas and opportunities all tried and tested. For your free ebooks visit: www.onlinehomebased.com/free-downloads.html