Life with small children is always challenging. You never get a moment’s peace to yourself, so trying to do chores or — heaven forbid — work from home, is never easy. Celebrities manage to work or do whatever they like, because they have plenty of help. They can afford to hire nannies and housekeepers. The rest of us are not so lucky, so if you work from home it can be more stressful than you ever thought possible once kids come along. Here are some tips to help you keep stress to a minimum:
Choose The Right Work From Home Business
If you decide to work from home to make some extra money, it will be much easier if you choose a job that fits well around your family. Some employers expect you to work strict 9-5 hours, which might not be the best job. Instead, look for a career opportunity that works around your family engagements.
Run an eBay store or sell goods online from your own e-commerce shop. Both are easy to set up and you can work hours that suit your family. Other work from home opportunities include: freelance writing, creative pursuits, or even an Arousr phone operator if have free time at odd times of the day.
Create A Workspace That Works For You
You cannot be productive without a fully-functioning workspace. A home office is ideal, as you can close the door and keep the kids out when you have work to do. Use a spare room and set up a desk, filing cabinet, and anything else you need. If you do not have the space to create a home office, fit a desk in a quiet corner, for example under the stairs or in a guest bedroom. That way you can work as and when you need to, without having to pack your work stuff away each and every time.
Be Flexible
Try to be as flexible as possible when working from home. Once kids come along, you will have to deal with all manner of problems, from unexpected illnesses to impromptu play dates. Life is a lot easier if you try to be flexible with your time. Instead of working set hours, work as and when the house is quiet or the kids have gone on a play date. If starting work once the kids have gone to bed suits you, then great. Alternatively, try to squeeze in an hour of work before the kids wake up in the morning.
Ask For Help
There will be times when you need extra help, so do not be afraid to ask for it. If you have a partner, make sure they pull their weight around the home and take on some of the daily chores. If you are working, too, it is not fair to expect you to do everything. Try asking other moms to help out with childcare — a reciprocal arrangement might suit you both.
Working from home often suits moms more than a regular 9-5 job, so if you need to earn extra money, give it a go!
