Working From Home When You Have Children

It is probably one of the most exciting things longed for or dreamed about by many people looking to keep an income and have more time with their children. It is a great thing however it can become a great disappointment or frustration if you do not plan it right and think things through properly. You need to know what you expect to achieve with your children when they are home and what you can do when they are away. What work are you planning to do and can it fit in with your requirements regarding the children? Here are a few tips I have put together  based on my experiences working from home with children.

• Separate your work space from your home space - this may be easy if you have a separate room to set up as an office or work area. If you don't you will have to set up in a corner of a quiet room but your corner must be easily distinguished from the rest of the house. You need to do this so you and your family know when you are "at work" and when you are at home.
• Wear  different clothes when you are at work -  this helps you  focus on your work and not the distractions of being at home. It also creates a mind set that you are working as motivation and discipline are a real challenge when you are your own boss. If your children are at home with you they also know you are at work and should leave you alone and do the activities you have planned for them.
• When you have your children at home with you don't plan work activities that will keep you occupied for too long as your children are at home for a reason and it is part of your dream to spend the time with them. If you plan to do a lot of work on the days when your children are home you will become frustrated, will not achieve your goals and you will not give your kids the quality time they deserve.  
  
• Plan to work hard and achieve more when the children are at school and not at home - this is when you can really get things done. Self discipline is important here and the satisfaction of completing your planed tasks for the day is a real buzz.
• Have tea breaks and meals breaks - just like in a job and for about the same amount of time. This gives your day structure and routine and helps you keep on track.
• If you plan to work on the days your children are at home have activities planned for them to do while you do the work you have planned. Make sure this is only a small amount of work such as routine functions, (invoices, emails, phone calls) and not a vast project.   The rest of the day is to be shared with your children.
• plan activities to do with your children when they are at home - this is the big prize. You can go places, play ball in the yard, read a book, even have a picnic lunch with them as you grow closer together.
  
• Keep regular hours - have a clock on and knock off time. Even when you are working from home you must keep things in perspective as you could very easily start working very long hours (if you like what you are doing) and you may as well be at a job somewhere else.

These are just a few tips but they have helped me get the best out my home based business and spend some special time with my children. I feel satisfied I am managing my quality time with everything that is important to me and I am rewarded with a loving and caring family.