Balance Earning a Living with Raising Kids Under One Roof By Larry Alton Updated August 28, 2015 In tough economic times, m...
Balance Earning a Living with Raising Kids Under One Roof
By
Larry Alton
Updated
August 28, 2015
In
tough economic times, many households decide that two incomes are
necessary; and yet, childcare is often unaffordable. The solution?
One parent works from home and watches the children. It’s a
challenging proposition, for sure. However, it’s also doable.
According
to survey numbers released earlier this summer by the Bureau of
Labor Statistics, 23
percent of all employed persons do
some or all of their work at home.
That’s
up from only 19 percent in 2003. And as telecommuting and working
from home become more popular within traditional businesses, that
number is likely to rise even more.
That
begs the question, how can you simultaneously handle the
responsibilities of being a parent and an employee – without
compromising either role? It’s far from easy, but certainly
possible. Here are some important tips to consider:
1. Set
a Firm Schedule
The
first step to being efficient and successful at home is setting
and keeping a firm schedule. Everyone
in the family should know that you have a schedule, and that it must
be respected at all times. Sure, accidents happen, internet
connections go down, children get sick, and project deadlines get
pushed back. The best way to add organization to the chaos is
through a schedule.
2. Make
the Most Out of Quiet Times
Aside
from setting a schedule, making efficient use of ‘quiet times’
is the single most important thing you can do.
Quiet
times refer to the segments of the day when your children can’t
bother you. This could be when they’re at school, at a friend’s
house, taking a nap, or early or late in the day while they’re in
bed. You can even schedule a activity to keep them busy. Build
quiet-time into your schedule and use them wisely.
3. Get
Children Involved
If
children are old enough and responsible, you can get them involved
in your work. This is beneficial for three distinct reasons. (1) It
may allow you to increase productivity and production. You
essentially have another employee working for you. (2) Teaching
children about something can improve your understanding of it,
too. Albert Einstein once said, “If you can’t explain it
simply, you don’t understand it well enough.” The simple act of
explaining a concept to your child may spark a revelation. (3)
Involving your children in your work fosters their own sense of
learning and instills valuable life skills.
4. Have
a Dedicated Office
There’s
no way around it – you need a dedicated
office or workspace that’s
100 percent yours. For one, the IRS requires that your office be
used regularly and exclusively to qualify for the home office
deduction. Beyond that, a separate space is where you can retreat
and focus. Ideally, this is a room with a door and a lock; however,
you may have to get creative depending on your living arrangement.
Working
on the kitchen table may be practical when you’re simultaneously
cooking dinner, but it doesn’t make much sense when the kids are
screaming and your spouse is watching television.
If
you don’t have room for an entire office in your home or
apartment, find a way to place a desk in a spare bedroom or hidden
nook. Whatever you do, make sure your family knows this is your
workspace – not a play space.
Find
Out What Works For You
Each
of these tips will enhance your chances of being a successful
work-from-home parent. It should be noted, though, that working at
home requires a lot of trial and error, and testing of what works
for you and your family. Have patience and be flexible, which will
help you determine what does and does not work for you.
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