Category Archives: WAHMom Stuff
Prepping My Schedule for Summer
It’s been coming at me – the reminders that now is the time to get ready for summer, figure out how to balance work with the kids at home. Not to mention that summer is just naturally more of a laid back season online with everyone out enjoying the weather, the long daylight hours, warm summer nights. Oh, I can’t wait! But the reality has set in, and my planning can’t wait either.
Reality is…Batman (7) will be done with school on June 10th. I’ve already been looking into free/low cost options of things to do this summer – we’ll hit the library (even Batman’s school library will be open one morning a week), school playground is a nice walk away.
Reality is…I’m not going to have as many daytime hours to work as I do with only Robin at home. The two boys together are at least at an age that they can entertain each other at times. And each plays well on their own too. But I’m not going to want us to be staying home all day every day.
The challenge will be balancing work, play, and “sneaky academics”! LOL! I’m doing my research – WAHM blogs are a great source of ideas, esp. at this time of year as the reality sets in for all of us – GET READY, THE KIDS ARE COMING HOME!
Virtual Assisting 101
Managing Your V. A. Clients While Working At Home With The Kids
Virtual assistants are on the rise. This is an excellent profession for the work-at-home mother. Here are some tips for managing your workload while the kids are home.
What is a virtual assistant? A virtual assistant is someone who provides businesses with services that aid them in the daily running of the business. They perform tasks like word processing, web design,corresponding with business clients, and database management.
Managing this business from home has advantages and disadvantages. For one, a mom can keep her kids under her watchful eye instead of in a daycare center. The family saves money on the cost of a sitter. She can also work in her pajamas until noon if she chooses.
Moms with home-based businesses can experience scheduling issues though. Children, especially small ones, don’t understand that mom can’t play because she has to work on the computer. Infants are even less forgiving. When they need something, there will be no relief for mom until she satisfies them.
With virtual assisting clients, the needs are varied and sometimes urgent. How can a mom work her business and take care of the kids? Planning is of the utmost importance. Patience is a must as well.
If you have an infant, schedule phone calls and net meetings during nap times. Babies sleep several hours a day. Use that time wisely to get client deliverables finished and sent out. If you have a toddler who can walk and get into things, he or she will need to be in the office area with you.
Toddlers do not sleep for long periods of time, so phone calls can be handled then, but other work will have to be managed with them awake. Setting up a play area in the corner of the office will keep your toddler occupied. Place a few of their favorite toys, a blanket, and a pillow in the play area. A small television with a VCR for tapes of favorite shows gains their attention while you work on the computer. When they get tired, they can lie down and take a nap.
If you have more than one child, you may consider hiring a nanny once or twice a week. On these days, schedule conference calls, onsite meetings for local businesses, and other activities for which you need undisturbed quiet. Make the most of those days to lighten your load on the days when you are the caregiver for the kids.
Managing a virtual assisting business can be done with the kids at home. Setting a schedule and sticking to it will help you remain sane when the kids want and need your attention.
Ready to start and run your own Virtual Assistant business from home? Instantly access your guide to starting a VA business today.
My “Vacation”
I am a Work at Home Mom – so to some they may think that every day is a vacation for me because I don’t have to GO to work. I certainly am not complaining in any respect about the not having to GO to work thing. After commuting on the train every day for 15 years – the commute in my jammies is much nicer! There is no “time off” per say though like my husband gets when he can leave his job for 5 days and be at home.
I already am at home, and so is my job. Well – for the first time in two years I took a vacation from my online job and stayed offline to focus on family this Christmas. I really did no real work online for three whole days! A record for me! And with DH home during the day (he’s on his vacation too) – I have the added benefit of another hand to help around here. I’m also able to work my work hours around the family to get as much time with all of us together as I can.
So I guess it all depends on how you define “vacation”. For me this year – it was taking time away from my online businesses to focus on family business. Even though we didn’t go anywhere – it’s been the little things like spending time together, getting to sleep a little later (without guilt), being able to refer the fights to Dad as the back-up referee! LOL! And seeing the look in my sons’ eyes as they both said at separate times…”This was the best Christmas ever!”
It’s been a much needed break!
