ViewedPages.com » Family » Parenting » Making Becoming A Work-at-home Mom Work For You

Making Becoming A Work-at-home Mom Work For You

by: JessicaFranks
Total views: 12 | Word Count: 594

It sounds like the best of both worlds for moms: earning money while you stay at home with your children. You envision working away on your computer, while your toddler plays happily at your feet, or taking conference calls with corporate bigwigs while you ice your child's birthday cake. So perfect, so easy, so doable.

Well, not so fast. The reality that work-at-home moms often face can very different. A child's schedule isn't predictable. You might be constantly interrupted from your work at the computer, turning a 5 to 10 minute task in an office setting into an hour-long ordeal. And your precious toddler might decide to throw an ear-splitting tantrum a few minutes into that important call with your most important client.

Unfortunately, very few things are as easy as they first appear, escpecially when kids are involved. So how do successful women balance working from home and being a mother? And what are the pitfalls that they have learned to watch out for?

Some moms hire baby sitters or nannies to mind the children while she works. This keeps the kids out of her hair and occupied at something non-dangerous. The downside is that nannies cost an arm and a leg. This can reduce mom?s earnings. Some moms have older children who watch the younger ones, but power struggles and tears can be frequent interruptions. ?Mommy, Sissy says I have to play outside, but I want to be inside.? The inevitable results tears, cries and runny noses are the result.

And it's not only the kids that are causing the trouble. Their pets have to be watched after as well. One mom who earns her living from on-line auctions reports that her children's dog goes bananas whenever the delivery van comes to the house. The dog barks loud enough to give her a headache. But what can she do? Her children love the dog.

One way to find some uninterrupted work time is to work at night when the children are all tucked into their beds. Some moms find jobs that give them the flexibility to do this such as bookkeeping or taking customer service calls at night. This is not a cure all, however. You need to take care of yourself and get the sleep your body needs. Otherwise, you'll be facing the next day cranky and drowsy. If you do decide to work at night, don't forget that afternoon naps can be just as refreshing for adults as it is for your kids.

Sometimes it is the job itself that can cause pitfalls when working from home. Employers often undervalue the work work-at-home moms do. And some even claim poor quality and reject the work just to get out of paying for the work at all. Not only that, only rarely will you find a position that offers healthcare benefits, other insurance benefits, and retirement plans. It is up to you to budget and plan for your elder years.

In addition to the interruptions, the low pay, and lack of benefits, perhaps the toughest pitfall facing work-at-home moms is the lack of adult contact. No longer will you be able to pop into your coworker's office and chat about the latest television show or to seek help on a task you've undertaken. Your children will be more interested in the bug they found outside, or the video they want to watch for the hundredth time, or to give you big hugs with their candy-coated sticky fingers than in your work. Well, I suppose that's a pitfall most moms would gladly accept.

About the Author

If you are looking to make extra money from home, then make sure you check out Jessica's free movie about jobs for stay at home moms, and work for stay home moms.

More Articles from: Parenting

1: Child car seats
    (By: Natadee7, On: Aug 22nd 2008, Words: 522, Views: 13)
2: General Hydroponics Techniques Used For Homegrown Fruits
    (By: McallisterLugo, On: Aug 6th 2008, Words: 553, Views: 5)
3: Making Becoming A Work-at-home Mom Work For You
    (By: JessicaFranks, On: Jul 16th 2008, Words: 594, Views: 12)
4: Ways Mothers Find Opportunities Online
    (By: JessicaFranks, On: Jul 16th 2008, Words: 602, Views: 16)
5: A Baby Photo Contest: Start a Child's Career
    (By: ErinPeters, On: Jul 12th 2008, Words: 592, Views: 13)
6: Using Cloth Diapers Saves Money
    (By: TylerFlemming, On: Jul 11th 2008, Words: 376, Views: 13)
7: How Much Is A Mom At Home Worth?
    (By: JessicaFranks, On: Jul 5th 2008, Words: 880, Views: 16)
8: Why Teach Logic To Your Kids?
    (By: PhyllisWheeler, On: Jul 4th 2008, Words: 429, Views: 15)
9: Parenting Advice: My Child Is Afraid To Go On Sleep-Overs
    (By: Dr.NoelSwanson., On: Jul 3rd 2008, Words: 609, Views: 19)

ViewedPages.com » Family » Parenting » Making Becoming A Work-at-home Mom Work For You