Work/Life Balance -- What is That? Well, it is something that we all strive for in one way or another regardless of if we work in a traditional office setting or if we work out of our homes. The more "busy" we get, the more we can lose sight of how to make that scale not tip too far right or too far left.
Yesterday we started the conversation by talking about how to look at balance and boundaries. Today, along with some colleagues, I will share some sure-fire tactics and tips that will help you manage the youngsters in your home while you are working.
No matter how hard we may try as parents, we will never be able to 100% predict when our kids want our attention. Here are some tricks to help you keep it under control.
Make the Most of Your Non Kid Time
Organizer and mom of 3 grown children, Vriendelijke Groet (www.organisatiemakelaar.nl of Europe), reminds us that "kids are always unpredictable, so you better get used to that. The only way you can be sure of an uninterrupted time is when they are not there." She goes on to tell us to make the most of the time our children are not in the home and focus on the kids when they are there.
List Out and Use Interruptable Tasks for Nap Time
In all of our jobs there are tasks that can be interrupted (filing for example) and tasks that are more challenging when interrupted (like a sales call). Make a list of the different tasks that you do in your day and identify the ones that can be interrupted and those that cannot. Then plan your time accordingly. Meaning, if you have a young one that takes naps, schedule your interuptable tasks at that time (they do wake up unexpectedly you know.)
Use a Visual - Have a Mommy/Daddy Work Hat
Organizer Angela Miller-Davis (www.lessequalsmore.com.au from Brisbane, Australia) suggests that it is important to have visuals for your kids to know when you are working. Here is what she says on the topic:
Have a little clipboard for her and maybe an ink pad with a stamper. Set up old pieces of printed paper and show her how to stamp and staple them and have a pile at the ready. Even give her an in-tray, a hole punch and a folder and put her to work. Also make her up a notebook where she can record her 'work' achievements (this is to ensure she gets paid), this book will become very valuable. Each month, get her to go through a toy catalogue and pick a toy to save up for (The Big Goal). Then she will need small goals to achieve along the way. Everytime she does as she is asked, a sticker goes into the book (each sticker could be worth say 5 cents). You will also be slowly teaching her about goals and money and WHY you do what you do i.e. for goals and money AND to be helpful to others. In her case she is being helpful to YOU. (Angela Miller-Davis) When they are Pre-School Age: Have your child help you by emptying garbage cans when they are full (assuming that they are not too big. Have your child do your paper shredding. You would be amazed at how much a kid likes to shred paper even when you think it is the most mundane task in the world. My son started shredding for me when he was about 3.5. Since this task has a small level of danger involved, make sure that you understand the safety of your shredder (some are safer than others) as well as the maturity of your child. Angela Miller-Davis shares that they even take the bag of shredded paper to their local pet shop, and the shop owner lets them pat the kittens and puppies. Again this is showing the child the bigger goal (motivator) and also that her job is actually useful and helpful to someone else, that is the shop owner, the puppies and the kittens. Ask for their help putting stickers on brochures. When my son was 4 he started helping with the company marketing by putting stickers of our various specials on the backs of brochures. It was a great time talking to him about how important it was to be precise and make the sticker straight. He concluded that most clients would not want to work with an organizer that could not make simple stickers straight! You would be shocked to see how many business concepts your kids can pick up at an early age. Payment was fantastic too. He insisted on getting business cards and a company T-shirt to prove he was really a part of the company. He became our "director of adhesive operations When School Age: Obviously, the older your children are the more capable they will be to help you (and possibly the less they will want to do so!) Here are a few things grade school kids can help with:
When Your Kids Do Interrupt You at an Unfortunate Time, Tell Your Clients!
Organizer Noha Gindy (www.organiseitnow.com) shares: "I think most clients will understand when you have to cut it short. Try to set it up when you begin the conversation so it doesn't come as a surprise ("I'm excited to spend some time talking about your project. My daughter is home with me today, so please let me know if it's okay if we get interrupted.") Also practice a smooth exit even when a child is yelling ("I'm sorry Ms. Smith, it looks like Emily needs me. Can I call you back in an hour or so?") "
Background and Props
Want to know more about these organizers? Go to www.NAPO.net and do an organizer look up! You will find their specialities, location and other great info about them.
What Are Your Horror Stories?
What are your stories about working from home? What has not worked? What has worked? Share below by commenting or reply to someone else's comments! Don't want to comment on the blog? Start a conversation with me on one of my social networking sites.





