Being a Mom is a Balancing Act
Working from home can prove quite challenging. Squeezing quality work in between quality time with each child can feel nearly impossible. However, after working from home with 2 kids at home [and a third on the way!}, I have found doing both is possible, though you must be purposeful. I will say that each stay at home, work from home mom will have to do what works best for her, but here are some tips for balancing home and work that should apply for all.
First and foremost, be reasonable in your expectations.
- Make a rough schedule that accounts for when you will work and what you will get done. It doesn’t have to be carved ins tone, but playing it loosey goosey doesn’t bring in a sizeable pay check. Try it out and adjust it as necessary.
- Set up specific time to work. This might just mean following your schedule. Slot out several hours that are for work and not anything else. If you have some kids at home, try taking advantage of down time or nap time to work.
- Be sure to treat work like work- it’s not a hobby, nor is it 24/7. It works best for me to try to get my quota in Monday through Friday, though if I have to take time off during the week, I make up for it on the weekend. This will vary based on how you’re paid- you may need certain hours or it may be a task-finished kind of payment.
Set up an ergonomic work station.
One of the most common mistakes work from home moms make is to treat work a little too comfortably. They don’t realize that typing with one hand while wiping a bottom with the other may cause injury, not to mention a very dirty keyboard.
- Thus, be sure to set up a work space that is conducive for work. If you are a crafter, you need a craft corner that has all of your supplies in easy reach. If you work from a computer, you need a desk that houses all your equipment ergonomically. You should make a habit of working from the desk, even if it means docking your laptop. Your monitor should be at eye level to avoid eye strain and your keyboard should be centered, with the mouse right next to it.
- If at all possible, adjust your chair to support your back.
- Just because you don’t have actual co-workers doesn’t mean you don’t have noise problems. Plug in a sound machine to tune it out, or try this free white noise generator.
Balancing kids and working from home can be challenging. The key is to treat work professionally, even going so far as to set up an ergonomic work station, to ensure that you get your work done!
[...] recently posted some basic tips for balancing working from home with small children. I mentioned the importance of setting a schedule and trying to stick with it. This is definitely [...]