work at home mom tips
Sanity for the work at home mom...
If
you are the work at home parent of a
toddler, you're sure to know the
headaches and hassles that come with
the territory. It is possible,
however, to work from home with a
small child without losing your
sanity or your income. If you're in
need of a few tips and tricks to get
you through your work from home day
with your one and a half to three
year old, try these on for size!
Work
At Home Mom Tips:
1. Just Like Mommy or Daddy
Purchase a toddler sized desk, and stock it
with plenty of scrap paper, stickers, and
crayons. You may even want to purchase a
used keyboard and cut off the cord, or
provide your toddler with a toy computer.
Allow them to sit at their desk while you
sit at yours, and play "work". This tip may
just provide you with the fifteen minutes
you need to answer email or make that client
call in peace.
2. Download a Lock Out Program
If you frequently use your computer, you may
find that your toddler is fascinated with it
as well. All those blinking lights, buttons,
and fun sounds make it incredibly
attractive. It's cute, until you realize
that your wee one has just pushed the power
button and obliterated several hours worth
of work. A lock out program can help.
Toddler Keys is free, and locks your child
out of the buttons as well as the keyboard -
great for when you have to step away from
the computer.
3. Learn to Work in Spurts
Sometimes fifteen minutes of peace is all
you can muster. When planning your day, put
a star beside those activities on your to do
list that can be accomplished quickly or
while being interrupted. Answering email,
for example, can be done in small chunks,
while a major conference call cannot. Use
this list and your toddler's mood to plan
when you'll accomplish which activities.
Taking the time to prioritize in this manner
will allow you to spend time with your
toddler, while getting your work done, even
on those melt-down-pull-your-hair-out days.
Working from home is challenging, and
working from home with a toddler can
sometimes seem impossible. On days when
you're struggling, take a deep breath. Try
implementing one or all of these tips, and
if all else fails, call it a day and go to
the park. After all, your children are only
small once, and you're working at home to
enjoy this time.
_________________________
I hear and I
forget. I see and I remember. I do and I
understand.
- Confucius
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