When home is where the work is.

In these days of telecommuting, more jobs can be done from home. From computer programming to web designing, public relations to marketing, writing and consulting – people can have full-fledged careers and big paychecks, without having to report to an office everyday.

This has altered parenting too. I’m grateful my work-at-home situation allows me to have lunch with my kids. If they need me in case of emergencies, I’m just a few meters away. The random midday kisses I can give them are also a perk.  But… work-at-home parenting is not a complete walk-in-the-park. Adjustments have to be made, major discipline is involved. Otherwise, I won’t get any work done. I’m sharing what helps me get things accomplished.

When I’m in my office – which is actually more like a desk inside my room –  my 5 and 3 year old kids know that I am working – and that they can only come in in case of an emergency. For awhile, my daughter considered her bear getting an ouchie important enough for me to drop everything. My son would think a lego mishap was also an emergency. This leads me to the first important thing to consider when it comes to work-at-home parenting….

You still need child care. Yes, the situation allows you more time with your kids and closer proximity. Still, you will need to give undivided attention to your work for hours during the work day – or else you’re not going to accomplish much, or anything. Make sure you still factor in the need for quality childcare, especially if your kids are still small.

You still need to take a shower and dress for work. Not a good idea to work in your pajamas! At least, not for me. I need my rituals to get me into work mode. Bring kids to school, run, shower and change… and then I’m in my desk ready to take on the day’s work duties. This morning ritual is just as important as the cup of coffee that wakes me up.

You still need your own space. Even in the age of wifi, I know I need my little nook to get me in work mode. My things are not only organized here, but so are my thoughts. Don’t work in the kitchen counter or the sofa. Again, it’s part of the ritual that becomes even more vital without that commute and office setting.

You still need to stick to your hours. I write and it’s a job that depends on making sure I get myself to sit down and focus. It actually requires more discipline than jobs that need you to do things at specific times. When you work from home, it’s easy to put things off. Don’t! The bulk of my work is accomplished while my kids are at school. I will not enjoy the extra perks of working from home and being nearer them, if I don’t get the work done by a certain time of the day. The flexible hours are great, but it requires discipline to stick to my work schedule and meet deadlines.

Remember that working from home is not for everybody. I make my work-at-home situation work well for me. But for others, it’s not the ideal. A friend of mine says, she needs to get out and go to her office. For her, the break from home and mommy duties requires a trip to her “other world with other adults” and that helps her be a better wife and mom when she gets home. Another mom I know calls her business her “sanity-saver” that lets her get out of the house a few hours a day. To each his own.

So think hard before you decide to take that work-from-home job. It can be wonderful, but is it for you?

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