Though working at home may have once been the preserve of book authors and childminders, these days it seems as if anyone with an Internet connection has the ability to work from the comfort of their own living room.
Image credit: BrianHolm | FreeDigitalPhotos.net
That’s especially good news for us, moms. What could be better than being able to combine a job that we enjoy and get satisfaction from with our role as the primary caregiver of our children? That said, there are obvious problems with the arrangement of working from home, especially when you’re looking after kids.
That’s why I’ve created this guide for working mothers, to address some of the issues that you may face working from home.
Designating a work space
The beauty of using a laptop is that you can choose to work wherever you want, though it’s undeniable that working from the dining room or kitchen table is never a good idea. Your workspace should only have one function – working. If you’re constantly moving things around, you’ll lose valuable time, and your workspace will lack a sense of permanence.
While it’s not always possible to have a private room to create your own study or office, by making an area of your home your designated workspace, you can reinforce that idea that you shouldn’t be disturbed when you’re working.
If possible, build your workstation in an alcove, so that your line of sight is limited, to stop you from becoming distracted. What’s more, you’ll be tucked away and less likely to be disturbed by kiddies who fancy a chat.
If you’re looking for some ideas, take a look at the range of office desks offered by A&B Industrial Services. You will need a practical work desk that will give you the dedicated space that you need to get your work done. If you have the space, a corner workstation like this one looks especially convenient. Like working in an alcove, you can tuck yourself away in a corner where it’s easier to battle distractions.
Designating working hours
Though the situation you’re in often means that you can snatch a few hours here and there to work, like when your kids are at school or asleep, you should also create a schedule of working hours. Otherwise, there is the tendency to put off working and let yourself fall behind. Take a look at DayViewer.com, which is a useful way of staying organized and gives you the flexibility to change your schedule.
Designating work hours is also the best way of ensuring that your family remembers that you’re actually working. When you’re a mother working from home, it’s understandable that your kids think you’re available all of the time.
Make it clear that when mom’s at her desk, she’s working and that she shouldn’t be disturbed – unless it’s an emergency. The same goes for your husband.
Escape
Even with the best home office in the world, sometimes it can feel like the house is overrun with people. At times like this, the best option is to simply escape, provided there’s someone to look after your children. A good place to head is the local library or a quiet coffee shop – if you can find one that isn’t as overrun as your house.
You can often work in the library without being a member, but they’ll ask you to sign up to use the Internet, which can be a hassle when you’re not planning on using it all the time.
Why not consider buying a dongle from a reliable phone network? There are different options, in terms of whether you pay monthly or on a pay-as-you-go basis, but having a dongle means that you can expect to have Internet wherever you go. Take a look at 02.co.uk for some deals on Internet dongles.
Dress the part
Being a work-at-home mother does have its perks, but one of those isn’t working in your pyjamas day after day. If you dress in clothes made for relaxing, like your favorite jogging bottoms and hoodies, your mind will follow suit and struggle to remain focused on the tasks at hand.
No one is saying you should dress as if you were going to the office. After all, there should be some perks of working at home. However, you should be dressing in a way that you wouldn’t hesitate to pop out to the shop for a bottle of milk.
This is a sponsored post.
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