In theory, working at home is an ideal situation. But in reality, it's difficult to balance the needs of your family with the needs of your clients.
Phones, fax machines and e-mails have no common courtesy, nor does your client really care about your personal situation. You are simply a means to an end consisting of a telephone number, an e-mail address and a 1099 at the end of the year. For the most part, you are not afforded special considerations and must respond to their needs or your business will suffer.
Long before I began my career as a writer, I was already a work-at-home mom. I provided outsourcing solution to a variety of clients, which included bookkeeping, personnel records, reports and creating employee handbooks and mission statements. Initially my clients were leery; it was a time when home businesses were just emerging. I went to great lengths to establish and maintain my associations. Part of my success was the perceived illusion was that I was available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Continuously, I had to prove my home life did not interfere with their business needs or deadlines.
One day, as I absentmindedly brushed my son off and repeated the phrase, "just a minute" for the fifth time, I suddenly realized why he had no concept of time. That "minute" I was speaking of was hours away, at best. The business I built so that I could be at home with him was also the business that was taking me away from him. I turned back to my computer to complete the report I was working on and my son returned to his video game in frustration. It was then I realized my solution was only a paragraph away.
I was experienced in writing mission statements for my clients. These leadership tools are used in the corporate world to define goals, values and purpose. A successful business takes commitment, resources, responsibility, problem solving, honesty and hard work. Doesn't that also define raising a child? Parenting consists of all those factors and so much more.
As in any business, the business of raising a child will bring accomplishments, successes and rewards, but it will also have it's share of conflicts, disappointments and setbacks. However, when it comes to the business of family the stakes are much greater than a new client, a contract, a promotion or a raise; they involve the wellbeing of your child.
The emotional difficulties of childhood serve to build strength, courage and character. But to a child, these conflicts may feel catastrophic if they have no one to turn to. You can help prepare your child to cope if you take time out each day to remind him how much you love him, express your commitment to his wellbeing and provide positive affirmations that help foster confidence.
Just as you keep focus on your business goals and rise to meet your company's mission statement, keep focus on your personal goals as a parent. Run your family business with the integrity and respect of a healthy, thriving corporation. Define your ideals, set plans to action, keep communications open and reward success. Encourage individuality, praise creativity and share the wealth. Be positive and proactive. The business of family is one to be celebrated and cherished. It may not be listed as a FORTURNE 500, but it is the most important business of all.
A PARENT'S MISSON STATEMENT
The purpose of this Mission Statement is to express my love, support and commitment to you. As your parent, I promise to help you achieve your dreams and goals by providing you with a safe and nurturing environment. I respect your opinion and I encourage your creativity. I will be there to praise your accomplishments and comfort you in your disappointments. I promise to accept you as you are, support your decisions and honor you as a special and unique individual. You have the right to a safe and happy childhood and as your parent, I am committed to providing this to you.
TIPS FOR WORKING AT HOME
The luxuries you dreamed of as a work-at-home mom can quickly lead to burdens unless you are organized and scheduled. This schedule consists of a balance between business and family and activities should work in harmony with your child's needs, not against them.
Define your work area and organize it so valuable time can be spent on the task at hand.
Determine quiet times, such as early morning or after your child goes to bed. Use this period to complete tasks that need the most concentration.
Set a start and finish time for your workday.
Allow a full day off from work each week and stick to this schedule as much as possible.
Start each morning by talking with your child about the day's events. Include your child in these plans. By informing him of your activities, he will be comforted in the knowledge that there will be time for him.
Remember that you are entitled to breaks, lunch, vacation time and even sick time. You are the boss.
When it comes time for your break, stop working, compliment your child for his cooperation, and spend the next block of time enjoying the moment.
Record an "out to lunch" message and set your phones daily. Even if you are sitting at your desk, do not answer the phones. Your clients will become accustom to your schedule.
If you need to run an errand, but are concerned about missing an important call, don't wait around stressing, forward calls to your cell phone.
Consider hiring a babysitter a few hours per week to read or play with your child or do a special craft.
Most of all, remember your priorities as a parent and your commitment to your personal mission statement. When your child needs to talk, be grateful he or she is turning to you. Keep the lines of communication open, there will come a time when they need you for more than a glass of milk and a snack. And when that time comes, they might not be able to wait, "just a minute".
About The Author
Patricia Gatto and John De Angelis are the authors of MILTON'S DILEMMA, the tale of a lonely boy's magical journey to friendship and self-acceptance. As advocates for literacy and children's rights, the authors speak at schools and community events to foster awareness and provide children with a safe and healthy learning environment. For more information, please visit Joyful Productions at http://www.joyfulproductions.com
What would it be like to have a clone? What... Read More
What you say and do about money has a profound... Read More
Have you ever had this struggle with your teens? Did... Read More
Moms, did you ever question your value as a role... Read More
A learning disability is defined as a permanent problem that... Read More
How would you like to have more time? Of course... Read More
When you talk about multiply your child's intelligence, you can't... Read More
There are moments in a parent's or grandparent's life, when... Read More
I hear from many parents that their child is stressed... Read More
Voices have a way of falling into a pattern, not... Read More
Moving house can be an emotional experience for adults, so... Read More
1. Encourage your babysitter by keeping their favorite foods/snacks on... Read More
Family decision-making is an intriguing phenomenon. Many factors become part... Read More
Emotional OverloadMany single parents say they deal with a variety... Read More
"Hugging is healthy: it helps the body's immunity system, it... Read More
Q. I don't like my children spending so much time... Read More
Our children are growing up bilingual in the French part... Read More
It was a day that I will forever be etched... Read More
You do what you can to keep your little ones... Read More
We take it for granted that children know how money... Read More
I thought I was the only one in the world... Read More
Do you ever wonder what is behind the occasional nasty... Read More
How on earth can you help your family cope with... Read More
Not many things are more upsetting than discovering that your... Read More
Most of us when asked what we want our children... Read More
You want your daughter to wear a dress to the... Read More
This may come as a surprise, but many parents are... Read More
How are parents to know they are doing the right... Read More
"Now don't you go getting any ideas, Harold.""Don't you get... Read More
It's a familiar scene: Kids screaming at each other, complaining... Read More
Valentine day has always been a special day in my... Read More
Let's be honest! When it comes to parenting, men expect... Read More
AD/HD (attention deficit disorder) is one of the most common... Read More
The law of -ing.The law of -ing refers to a... Read More
Moms and dads, are there times you think that parenting... Read More
1 "Law of Belonging": The greatest need of teenagers (after... Read More
Spending quality time with your children doesn't need to cost... Read More
If you're looking for toys that are both fun to... Read More
As thinking, acting human beings we have the ability to... Read More
ADHD comes in differenty forms, or types. What... Read More
All of us, including your child, entered this world equipped... Read More
Dear Vijay,I worry about not being a good parent. My... Read More
On a bright Sunday morning, a couple of weeks ago,... Read More
Any parent whose baby has suffered from colic can tell... Read More
Why Me?"We should certainly count our blessings, but we should... Read More
In "The Ring Bear," a picture book by Tigard resident... Read More
It is so important to create an environment that promotes... Read More
Imagine yourself lying flat on your back, totally strapped down... Read More
Economist John Kenneth Galbraith has said that more people die... Read More
The most common medications used in the treatment of Attention... Read More
As the kids go back to school, you can go... Read More
Is there a fathering instinct?Celebrated child development expert Erik Erikson... Read More
NY -- Strange as it may sound, bordom promotes happier,... Read More
If your parenting methods include abuse of any kind; physical,... Read More
Impulsivity is one of the hallmarks of people with Attention... Read More
John was a 43 year-old sales manager at a large... Read More
Paula's last child had just gone off to college and... Read More
Looking back through my files I've come across several great... Read More
I have been a single mom for almost 20 years.... Read More
You send your child to school and the teachers teach... Read More
Q. "What do you want to be when you grow... Read More
As Mother's Day approaches I would like to give a... Read More
One reason public schools get away with educational failure, year... Read More
Teenagers are a work-in-progress, and parenting teenagers can be tricky... Read More
Are you worried about your child's reading habits? Perhaps you... Read More
Dear Sir, It was with some interest that I read... Read More
Parenting |