How to Work at Home with Children
A Home Business Article Contributed by Cassandra l. Keller
How to Work at Home with Children
Many a mom has decided to work at home to be near her children and save on child care expenses. But working at home isn't always as easy or luxurious as it sounds when you factor in your infant, toddler, preschooler, or a mixture of the three.
The following are some suggestions on how to maintain productivity and still accomplish productivity while working at home.
Working at Home with Infants
Depending on the infant, this age group of children is probably the easiest to manage and work at home at the same time.
In the early stages, infants are mostly into observing. As long as they are in the general vicinity as you, they will probably be happy. To accomplish this, add a play pen or automatic swing to your office area where you child can relax and take in all the sights and sounds. You also might consider adding a bassinet to your office equipment for now, if baby is more comfortable laying down in its confinements rather than the play pen.
Working at Home with Toddlers
The toddler age group is hands down the hardest to care for and work at home at the same time. This is an exploring age group that requires a lot of supervision. They are the children most like to bust into your expensive cosmetics or James Bond their way into the cabinet under the sink where all the forbidden "goodies" such as glass cleaner and plant food can be found. Toddlers, by nature, seek and destroy any and everything you don't want them to.
The best work at home scenario, when factoring in the toddler, is to have an older sibling at home. Even a preschooler, provided they are well mannered, can keep a toddler out of trouble by interacting with the little tyke. Preschoolers are also at that great age of tattle-telling, so they often bring to your attention what your toddler is doing that is wrong.
However, if you have an "overactive" toddler it is best to play it safe and bring in some home care. This will keep your toddler (and home) safe from harm and you won't have to worry about his safety while working at home.
Working at Home with Preschoolers
Finally, preschoolers, again depending on the child, are fairly easy to work at home with and still remain productive. Preschoolers are mini-adults who are finally understanding and abiding by the house rules. They understand that drinking the drain cleaner is deadly and that sticking your beloved cat in the dryer is a big no-no.
The biggest challenge with working at home with a preschooler in the house is they often interrupt you with questions. That is just part of their growing up. Often they will come to you to ask you a question, or show you a worm they found while digging in the back yard. By the time you've taken care of their needs, however, they have developed five more questions to throw your way.
Ultimately, your ability to work at home with your children relies on the type of work you are performing and how cooperating your children want to be. Of course, the best possible solution is to have a babysitter on duty.
