Random Thoughts

I came across another nice and useful article at MomCentre that I want to share here. Yes, the same author - Mariel Yuquiengco. Enjoy!

How to Create a Work-At-Home Mom Schedule by Mariel Uyquiengco

More and more mothers are opting to work at home. Advances in technology enable us to contribute to the family income while staying at home with our kids. While the situation seems ideal to someone looking from outside, it actually takes hard work to balance parenting and work when they share the same space. Creating and following a work-at-home mom schedule takes a lot of fine-tuning before we can truly say that we are happy with how our day goes on a day-to-day basis.

Marge Aberasturi has been a work-at-home mom (WAHM) for eight years now. Starting as a medical transcriptionist in 2006, she now offers administrative virtual assistance, technical virtual assistance, and creative virtual assistance through her own company, VA Support Pro. Here she shares with us her tips on how to make your work-at-home mom schedule work.

Know why you are at home

Marge says that the key to creating a work-at-home mom schedule is in knowing your reason for being a WAHM. As most of us tend to take the leap because of our kids, it is safe to say that like Marge, our days will be “about the kids first, the work second, and everything else down the list.”

Break down tasks

What are the things that you need to do during the day? Prepare breakfast, get kids ready for the day, attend to house chores, and of course, work are some of the things that we all need to do. Write them down one by one and categorize them.

Make your schedule

Now that you know your daily tasks, it’s time to write down a general flow of your day. Start with what is happening now. What time do the kids wake up? What time does your husband get home from work? How often do you really need to sweep the floor? Knowing the answers to these will help you in drafting your work-at-home mom schedule. Identify the time slots when you can work uninterrupted and when your kids most need your attention.

Prepare activities for the kids

If you have young kids, preparing activities for them will help occupy them during the times that youare working and they don’t want to take a nap. Books, toys, and art materials are a must. Older kids need activities too, though they are more likely to look for their own entertainment.

Unwind

Our day at home with our kids can be a whirlwind of activities that can leave us breathless and exhausted. An important part of Marge’s work-at-home mom schedule, therefore, is her one hour uninterrupted TV time. Unwinding, even for just a short while during the day, can recharge our batteries.

Working at home has two parts: “working” and “at home.” Making them work together takes organization and patience. But, as Marge herself says, “WAHMing is a lifestyle” that does not have a formula. She advises moms to play everything by ear and allow for flexibility whenyou are having an out-of-sync day.Most of all, remembering why you are at home in the first place will help you decide on how to best approach your day to day life. SOURCE.

I've been a work-from-home Mom for three years and I tell you, it wasn't easy. These tips are helpful enought that maybe I could be one again someday.