Many people actually lust for a work at home job without even thinking about all the work and preparation it takes to make a career at this successful. I see women daily on a very popular message board jumping into work at home jobs without stopping to think 2 seconds to see if that job would possibly work out for them. Then you see them come back to the forum a few days later saying they have left the job due to it not working out.
This does not leave a good impression on potential employers or even other coworkers. First the work at home position that was taken could have been given to someone who would have actually enjoyed it and stayed there. Second the employer will get very disgusted with hiring people who flake on them and get a bad impression of work at home contractors period if this goes on and on.
So rule number one of working at home is take the time to make sure the opportunity will work out for you! Not every work at home position will work for everyone. Women with small children may not be suited to take phone work or may need late night hours when their children are in bed. They may need more flexible hours to work when their children are napping. If you are in this type of situation, please do not jump into a rigid scheduled job before you really think it through!
Second, get a decent set up for your work at home. Have a designated area or room for your work where you can have quiet or peace to do your work. Talk to your family about this and even put a sign on the door to remind children that Mom is at work! One of the hardest things a work at home mom faces is her children realizing that Mom has put on her work hat and is not Mom first for those moments!
Third, do a lot of mental preparation and scheduling ahead of time! Make meals and snacks that will tide your children over if working through meals or snack time. Get a dry erase board and put instructions for the kids on the board as to what they are supposed to do while you are working if they are old enough to read and follow them. This helps them to keep organized while you are working.
Crafts, books and games are great attention getters for kids when its a rainy day or you are trying to work. I have sat my children at my feet and let them work on a craft while I am writing or have them in another room working on crafts while I am finishing articles. This has saved me many times! I look for discounted crafts and other kits that have gone on clearance. I pick them up and put them away until we need them! Then I always have something new to get their attention if they get bored!
That is enough for today. I will continue this series as I feel there is a lot to say there that women are not looking at! Working at home can work but it takes a lot of time and hard work to manage. It can be harder than working away from home at times!
