Home vs. Home Office
The Family Helps Out
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For work-at-home parents, kids and family are an integral part
of the total equation. Roberts sees the spouse as an
"anchor" who can help keep the family steady while the
working parent meets deadlines. That's a panacea, to be sure,
but only if spouses openly communicate, even outline, needs and
expectations in both business and family life, says Roberts, author
of How To Raise A Family & A Career Under One
Roof: A Parent's Guide To Home Business (Brookhaven
Press). As for the kids, "they're the great equalizer,"
Roberts says. "You can pratically count on them to throw
subtle and not-so-subtle reality checks whenever your work life is
getting out of hand." In almost one decade spent working on from home, Agro has
learned a few pointers of his own. If a client drops by, a child is
sick and can't go to school, or chaos breaks out, he adheres to
a solution that works for himself, his family and his clients: He
avoids clients who can't accept homebased working parents. And
if his wife is working too much, Agro is quick to take a break or
close down for the day. "You have to show your face around
rooms other than your office," he says. "Don't let
business take away your free time." Content Continues Below
After all, he works from home to be there for his family.
Sometimes his family is there for his business as well. "Mary
is a great sounding board," Agro says. "When you work for
yourself at home, it's nice to have a second opinion you can
trust."
| | | | |  | | |  Top Tips For Finding Balance
Want to create balance between your home office and the family that
shares your home? Here are some tips from people who do it, or at
least try to, every business day: Create rules. From
observing business hours to respecting a closed office door, your
kids-and you-need boundaries.
Listen. If your spouse,
partner or kids hint-or outright complain-that you're working
too much, take heed. A home office can become a magnet for the
at-home worker. And while the kids could just be nagging out of
boredom, complaints could indicate disillusionment regarding this
work-at-home gig. Power down. On weekends,
during dinner and at other traditional leisure times, shut down the
computer, turn off the phone's ringer and leave the office.
Your spouse and kids will appreciate the time you spend with them;
you will, too. You can always warm the computer back up
later. Set business hours.
Whether it's 9 to 5 or 8 to 6, a work/family schedule creates
regularity in the family routine and lets everyone know when the
office is off-limits. Include breaks during the day when the kids
get home from school; that way, you stay involved in their lives,
and they don't need to bug you while you're
working. Hold regular family business
meetings. Like any manager, a work- at-home parent must
be on the same page with the rest of the team, monitoring progress
and brainstorming new directions. This also helps the family stay
focused on what the home office is (a place of business) and is not
(a playroom, a children's grievance room, a retreat for the
family). Involve your kids.
Whether it's stuffing envelopes, collating papers or just
talking about what mommy or daddy do for a living, get the kids
into the office once in a while. They'll enjoy seeing what you
do and have a better appreciation for what work is all about. Also,
show them your finished product-a magazine article, a Web site or a
check that came in the mail. Get help. Whether
it's a nanny or preschool for an infant or toddler, or a
mother's helper for older kids when they get home from school
each day, supplemental help lets work-at-home parents focus on
work-for at least a few uninterrupted hours each workday.
Otherwise, work is a frustrating and emotionally draining task and
becomes a waste of valuable time. Use this time to do project work
that can't be interrupted; reserve rote tasks of business
(i.e., administrative, paperwork, invoicing, etc.) for
later. Celebrate business successes and
gains with your family. Celebration helps your spouse
understand there are rewards in supporting your efforts, and shows
kids they reap some benefit from cooperating with Mom's or
Dad's needs. This can go a long way in creating a healthy
balance. Cut loose. If you've
got the time, take the kids or spouse/partner and get out of the
office (especially if you're coming off a long, difficult and
time-consuming project). Pursue your passion, instead of
doing a job. Interruptions are easier to tolerate and
work is less stressful if it's something you enjoy. | | |  | | | | | | | |
Jeffrey D. Zbar, the "ChiefHomeOfficer.com," has
worked from home since the 1980s. He's a contributing editor
to Entrepreneur's HomeOffice.com, and author of Office Know-HowZand Your Profitable
Home Business Made E-Z (on CD-Rom from E-Z Products). Married
with three young children, Zbar lives in suburban Fort Lauderdale,
Florida.
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