The below article is the first in a series, Working from Home, in which the StartupJournal.com speaks with people about how they manage working from home.
I started my home business when my first son was 6 months old, because I wanted to balance my family and career. Now I have two sons, 5 and 8. And, my husband is a full-time dad. This means my entire family is home together all day, every day, except when the 8-year-old is at school.
When I started, the biggest obstacle was that our home was too small. Less than a year into our venture, we bought a bigger house where the office is a large, private room in the basement. It is not on the way to any other room, which allows me to separate work time from family time.
How I’ve made working at home ‘work’ for me:
Teaching the kids to respect the office and work time. When I’m working, they must go to Dad for everything. Before entering the office, they must knock and be invited in. They are never allowed to touch the computer, copier or fax.
Keeping office stuff in the office. The boys are often tempted to use my cool office supplies as their art supplies. That’s a big no-no.
Controlling the phone. While many children begin answering the phone at 4 or 5, we just recently decided to teach our 8-year-old how. We’ve always discouraged the kids from the phone because we have a home and a business line.
Maintaining a schedule. It is difficult to keep working when I can hear the boys having a blast in the backyard. I try to be flexible and break away from the office when I can and keep working when I must.
Managing client perceptions. Some clients do not care for a home-office arrangement, but I’m always up front about it, because I know there might be one or two times they will hear a little voice in the background during a phone call.
Staying motivated. Many days I’d rather play with the kids all day. Some days I do play hooky, but other days I must remind myself that they are my motivation for work, as well as play.
I miss being able to bounce ideas or talk through issues with an office mate. I don’t feel alone, because I have my kids and husband around, but they often aren’t the ones I need to be talking with!
The benefits far outweigh any obstacles or challenges, or I wouldn’t continue to work this way. I can hear the boys play and learn and fight and then apologize. I can share lunch with them. I can get excited when they find a snake or make a snowman. While most people who work in an office spend time at the water cooler, I spend time soaking up these nuggets of joy.
And it’s great for my kids. They get to sleep in, unless they go to school. They eat at home. They play hard. They work hard. They see how I work. They are learning that a family works together to make the most of whatever they have.
Anyone who wants to do this needs to think of the big picture. There are a lot of obstacles. It’s not for everybody. And I think my 8-year-old is the only one in his class that doesn’t know how to answer a phone.
Tags: Home Office
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