Due to the difficulty of supporting a family with only one income, many stay-at-home parents do some work from home. Finding time for this work is a challenge and requires some planning, creativity and flexibility.
Create Structure in Your Day
Some parents thrive on structure, while others are more free-flowing. If structure makes you feel more productive, then create some key points in your day and work around them. For example, if there is a playgroup at twelve p.m. and walking the dog occurs around four p.m., then it's easier to know when to fit in some work and be prepared for that.
Grab Spontaneous Moments
If, on the other hand, routine is difficult, or you have a baby who does not yet have much routine, you may like to grab moments spontaneously -- while waiting in the car for your child to come out of school, or when the baby takes a nap. Tasks can include mind-mapping some ideas for a project on a piece of paper, or making a quick work-related phone call.
Manage Household Chores
Christina Katz, in Writer Mama [Writer's Digest Books, 2007], a guide for stay-at-home mothers on developing a writing career, advises saving chores for times when children are awake and it is less possible to work. Get children involved from as young an age as possible so that everyone in the family helps keep the household running efficiently. Try to clean up soon after mess occurs so as to avoid a build-up of stressful clutter and large cleaning jobs.
Use Exercise for More Energy
If childcare is not an option, evenings are often the only time a stay-at-home parent of young children can devote to work. Before tackling a project in the evening after the children have gone to sleep, a quick walk around the block, a dance to some energizing music, or a few stretches can give parents the energy they need to continue.
Network With Others
It can be difficult to stay focused when being a stay-at-home parent is such a demanding job, and the lure of relaxing in front of the TV is strong. Network with other work-at-home parents - internet forums, for example, Storknet, are a great resource for this. Swapping childcare with a friend can be a good solution even for parents of young children and babies.
Time Management and Setting Boundaries
Set boundaries with friends and family, who may not always fully appreciate the work-at-home role, or understand the need for time for interests and hobbies. This can be difficult at first, as other work-at-home parents describe. But be persistent, and guard your time carefully.
Being a work-at-home parent can be exciting and rewarding and can allow parents to keep their commitment to being a home for their children, while still pursuing their own interests and making money. For more information on working from home as a parent, see "The Work From Home Parent".
Hayley Nichols - I am a freelance writer of non-fiction as well as a fiction writer. Most of my work is published under my name 'Morgan Nichols'. I have a ...
