Friday, May 21, 2010

The Beauty of Balance - Facing Challenges For Work-at-Home Moms

In today's modern society, mothers are luckier than ever to have the option to work at home. With the advancements in technology, telecommuting has become a very practical and affordable alternative, not only for employers but independent contractors, as well.

The convenience of being able to provide extra income while being at home with the children is an opportunity that many mothers are taking advantage of today.

Although working from home sounds like a dream job, it does not come without its own set of challenges. Work-at-home mothers are responsible for meeting production deadlines, providing childcare, completing household duties and coordinating any extra-curricular activities.

All this, while creating a loving and nurturing environment for her children. This can be a daunting task without the right tools to make it successful.

The first thing to remember is that it is all about balance and it can be done. It is crucial to make a schedule and adhere by it closely. Include things that you must make time for, i.e., work, family, birthdays, vacations, etc.

It is amazing the difference a schedule can make. This not only allows you to keep track of obligations but it also gives the children a sense of inclusion and activities to look forward to. Be creative with scheduling, it may be necessary to work after your children go to bed or before they get up.

Another important factor in working from home is to set aside your own private work space and implement firm working hours. This is key for making your work-at-home experience successful. It must be a place where you can close yourself off and concentrate on your work without any interruptions.

When your work hours are over they should be over. It is easy to become isolated and caught up in your projects, but your children should be able to know that you will be available to them after work hours.

Although you may be tempted to stay in your pajamas all day, it is very beneficial that you treat your work-at-home job like any other job. Dress for success, it not only helps with confidence, but it also jump starts motivation. Working at home requires a considerable amount of self-motivation and diligence to be successful.

Lastly, take advantage of resources that may be available to you. One of your most important resources is your family. If the children are old enough, have them increase their help with household duties. If you are married, split some of the cooking and childcare responsibilities. It is okay to delegate responsibilities and promote family cooperation to get the job done quickly.

Above all, make sure that you remember why you are working from home. Chances are you wanted to be close to your family, while providing income. It is easy to get distracted and concentrate solely on the business. Long work days and isolation may be good for your business, but remember, it is all about balance. It is possible to have it all!

By : Deirdre_Baker

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