As a working mom, it may seem you never have enough time to get anything done. But once you've transitioned to working from home, you may find that the little things you thought had under control have now become more time consuming.
Getting organized is the key to making your life as a work at home mom. Don't get bogged down in paperwork, plastic blocks, or laundry! Devise a plan for making work at home work for you and your family. Here's a rundown of essential organization for work at home moms.
Assign Work and Chores to Family Members
Teaching your kids responsibility and asking your husband to chip in isn't really as big of a deal as it seems. You can't always be supermom. Teach your kids to fold laundry and ask your husband to help with dinner plans a few times a week. You can even have the kids seek out menus or order pizza online during your downtime. Assign tasks such as clipping coupons, going though the mail, and putting the dishes away to older children. By sharing the household duties as a family, you'll be instilling responsibilities in your children - and you'll also have more time to get your work done.
Make Your Business Hours, and Stick with Them
Specific working times during each day will help you be more consistent with your work and more reliable in the eyes of the people you work for. Once you've gotten used to a real schedule, you'll be able to plan your work more efficiently. Set a schedule and post it on the fridge. If you have an office line or website, make sure you announce your working hours as well. If you have set working hours, you'll be able to schedule around your work time. You'll also be able to dissuade friends and family from intruding on your business.
Plan Your Family Activities, Too!
If you don't have a daily planner, it's a wise idea to invest in one. You can also sign up for various websites that alert you to your daily tasks via email and text message. Use your planner to write down everything that needs to be done. Plan each activity for a specific time frame and try to stick with it. When your time frame doesn't work out, make a note of it so next time, you'll know how to plan better.
Organizing your home at large will help make your business be more organized and more stable. While it may take a while to establish some organizational habits, it will be well worth it when it comes to balancing your work, home and family. Start by organizing small tasks and build up to a daily schedule.
Getting organized as a mother that works from home does take some time and effort, on everyone's part, but the rewards are plenty. Make it a family goal to prioritize organizing your time together, and you'll be able to find more time for work, chores, and play!
About the Author:
Melissa Brewer is an writer-preneur based in Washington DC. Do you want a real work from home job? The outsourcing industry is exploding with homeshoring employers that hire moms, dads, retirees, and differently-abled people to work
from home. Come learn more about how you can make a living from home, without breaking the bank. Interested in virtual admin work? We have
information on that, too!
