How to separate work from home life when working from home

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Permalink Reply by Erika Huckaby on August 6, 2009 at 10:57am

I love this! I might consider getting signs for myself too so everyone knows which role I'm currently working in. :-)
Thanks for creating this discussion Genny, it's very helpful to learn how others manage their work at home time!

Lynne Kenney said:

I really appreciated all these comments, they reflected all our different styles. Some moms are computer toters others are not. Some moms assign their work hours, others work 24/7. Alicia, I like your idea of different roles require different task demands and skill sets. That rings true for me. In the am I write before the girls get up (Lynne the author), when they come walking across the family room floor (Lynne the mom), I turn off the computer until after they are fed and off to school. Later in the day I cook (Lynne the me-time-mom). Perhaps I'll make some placards and hang them so the kids can check them and see who I am right now:). This cld be fun. I have to agree with Erika as well, work in the summer is the hardest, my kids do come first which can be frustrating to some people. I adore my work and hope that our girls will see work as passionate and fun and not something that only made mom busy.

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Permalink Reply by Kimberly Rose on August 8, 2009 at 5:29am

I have a big, white board on my wall with a written out schedule. It really keeps me focused to write down when during my day I am going to work. It may change day to day and sometimes the timing may not work out exactly as planned, but it really has helped me a lot.

Organization is key - and the irony is that I suck at it. I write everything in - from the time I get up, to the approximate amount of time it should take me to make breakfast, get everyone fed and clean up. I do this for things like play time, naps, lunch, dinner, etc. Surprisingly, you'll find that if you stick to it as much as possible, there really is more time in a day than you realize and you can accomplish so much more because you have a plan!

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Permalink Reply by Genny Esterline on August 8, 2009 at 6:59am

I think you have something here. I know that if I write down specific tasks, a to do list, for the day it is amazing how each one is completed easily. When I just operate on the getting done what I can mode, the distractions come in. Great response. Thank you for this reminder!

Kimberly Rose said:

I have a big, white board on my wall with a written out schedule. It really keeps me focused to write down when during my day I am going to work. It may change day to day and sometimes the timing may not work out exactly as planned, but it really has helped me a lot.

Organization is key - and the irony is that I suck at it. I write everything in - from the time I get up, to the approximate amount of time it should take me to make breakfast, get everyone fed and clean up. I do this for things like play time, naps, lunch, dinner, etc. Surprisingly, you'll find that if you stick to it as much as possible, there really is more time in a day than you realize and you can accomplish so much more because you have a plan!

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Permalink Reply by Jaymie Pierce on August 8, 2009 at 8:46am

I have worked from home for over 3 years and I think it takes a life of it's own, you never really can separate the two like having an office away and being home. You just have to do what fits for you with your family. I have school age and teens and they like to be in the same room a lot, so I set up a desk with their own computer across the room from me, they piddle and I work and it's nice and quiet. I tend to sneak off during home hours to do this or that and having a lap top helps where I can do research sitting on the sofa during family time while everyone is watching a movie. I have trouble being still anyway, so it helps to mix both! I think having a business and working from home, a person has to fit in work when they can and share themselves with their family as much as possible

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Permalink Reply by Kid Organizer on August 8, 2009 at 7:07pm

That can make for a very long and tiring work day. You might want to try to put a sign on your door when you are working to let everyone else in your house KNOW that you are at work. If you feel the need to put a load of wash on in between biz calls, incorporate breaks ( aka coffe breaks) into your day and complete small tasks during that time.
Good Luck.
Marcella
www.organizingthedisorganizedchild.com

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Permalink Reply by Genny Esterline on August 10, 2009 at 8:29am

Thanks Jamie,

Great perspective.

Jaymie Pierce said:

I have worked from home for over 3 years and I think it takes a life of it's own, you never really can separate the two like having an office away and being home. You just have to do what fits for you with your family. I have school age and teens and they like to be in the same room a lot, so I set up a desk with their own computer across the room from me, they piddle and I work and it's nice and quiet. I tend to sneak off during home hours to do this or that and having a lap top helps where I can do research sitting on the sofa during family time while everyone is watching a movie. I have trouble being still anyway, so it helps to mix both! I think having a business and working from home, a person has to fit in work when they can and share themselves with their family as much as possible

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Permalink Reply by Single Rose on August 10, 2009 at 3:48pm

I wrote an article about this a month ago or so. It's titled Balancing Business and Motherhood. Click link to view.

Also, let me feature you!

Be Featured HERE on aMomEntrepreneur

Get more information HERE.

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Permalink Reply by Susan Tatsui-D'Arcy on August 10, 2009 at 4:56pm

While I had young children, I set up a preschool program in my home and hired a teacher. The teacher taught my children, as well as 3-4 others (paying), so the preschool was free to me. This allowed me the luxury to work in my office during "office hours" without interruption.

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Permalink Reply by Genny Esterline on August 10, 2009 at 5:02pm

How incredibly creative of you! Wow.

Susan Tatsui-D'Arcy said:

While I had young children, I set up a preschool program in my home and hired a teacher. The teacher taught my children, as well as 3-4 others (paying), so the preschool was free to me. This allowed me the luxury to work in my office during "office hours" without interruption.

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Permalink Reply by Nicole Laws on August 10, 2009 at 7:13pm

I dont have any ideas of my own. Im struggling with the same thing and hoping to find some tips myself.

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Permalink Reply by Nicole Laws on August 10, 2009 at 7:15pm

Great idea!!!

Kimberly Rose said:

I have a big, white board on my wall with a written out schedule. It really keeps me focused to write down when during my day I am going to work. It may change day to day and sometimes the timing may not work out exactly as planned, but it really has helped me a lot.

Organization is key - and the irony is that I suck at it. I write everything in - from the time I get up, to the approximate amount of time it should take me to make breakfast, get everyone fed and clean up. I do this for things like play time, naps, lunch, dinner, etc. Surprisingly, you'll find that if you stick to it as much as possible, there really is more time in a day than you realize and you can accomplish so much more because you have a plan!

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