Working from home requires dedication, motivation and focus as well as a strict schedule. I realize that you are working from home to make extra or full time money for your family. Sometimes it is easy to just sit in front of your computer or on your phone all day working your business; whether you are a consultant or the owner of a company, your business CAN take over your life IF you let it.
I am here to remind you the reason you work from home; YOUR FAMILY. Whether you are a mom, a dad or a soon to be parent who wishes to be home to watch your children’s first. From my research I have found many who work at home have chosen this life to create more family time, to watch your children’s firsts, to be there for them and raise them as your own instead of paying another person to watch over them.
When you made the decision to work from home it may not have been well thought out, or maybe it was, but at some point in time most of us can admit to taking “just one call” or responding to “just one email” and find youself eyes deep into work again, when it was time for family.
One of the best things to do to ensure you create quality time for your family and still work your home business is to set up a routine, a schedule and review it with your child(ren) and spouse or mommy’s helper. Allow them to work with you on a schedule that they can help you maintain.
Stick a note on your computer desk to remind you of quitting time or create an alarm clock that will go off reminding you that in 15 minutes (10 minutes) that you need to get offline to visit with your family. That work day will end in 10 or 15 minutes..that way you have a warning system in place to prepare for end of “work day” and begining of “family time”.
This passed Christmas my husband thought he would help me out by getting me a laptop for my present. Since this was a BIG deal and something I had been nearly BEGGING for since who knows when…I was very happy. Now that I have my laptop, I can sit on the couch, I can sit in the car, I can be PERMANTELY attached to my computer – BAD BAD BAD!
This translates into less family time, more work time and unhappy children. My children, especially my oldest at age 6, is often heard saying “mommy get off that laptop”, my 2 year old comes to me “mommy please watch me”…so I have to work harder to PRY myself away from my work having this laptop.
This blog post will not only work as a reminder to give YOU advice, but a reminder to ME so that I can remember what matters MOST…..
FAMILY MATTER MOST
If everything I do from home to make money fell through tomorrow I would still have my family to love me and keep me happy…but if I get too involved in always being on the internet and one the phone working; will they REALLY be there? I am guessing the answer would be “no”. If I push them away in efforts to make money by engaging in long office hours, whether on the couch with my laptop in front of me or in the office at the PC, I am taking away from what matters most to me in this world…and I do not want to miss their special moments for anything!
After you read this do some soul searching, schedule tweaking and make sure that you have had your family time today….give your spouse, your child or your children a hug today, tell them you LOVE them…hold them tight and have fun with them while you can — money will come in time — family is more important!
Wishing you happy memories with your family,
Great post! Often times I find myself doing the same thing… especially when I set a large monthly goal! You have really made me think about my schedule and what I can do to tweek it a little more to spend even more time with my family. I generally do take time out each day to play with my kids, but I am always striving to spend more time with them! Thanks for a great post!
You know you’re in trouble when your educated-at-home kid decides he’s sick–and you’re grateful for the day to do other things.
(It’s not serious. He’ll live. I’ll get those invitations out…)
This is a great post, Brandy. I am not a mother yet, but I do want to stay home with my kids and I know it will be hard to “pry” myself away from the computer– but as long as you have the correct focus you can do it.
You are an awesome Mom!! I miss chatting with you, but it’s nice when we are both on and can chat! 
New Blog Post: Family Comes First http://bit.ly/BguB6