? for parents who work from home!

[lynetteSC]

Hi! Next Wednesday (3/31) is my last day going to work! YAHOOOOOOOO!!!! My company has been very generous to allow me to start working p-t from home because of our new baby.

I am really nervous ... Soooo many distractions around here. How do you get any work done? Any advice to someone who is just starting to work from home? Anything you would do differently?

I did want to start working from home a few weeks before the baby arrived, so I would atleast get used to the idea of all these changes!

Thanks for any advice!!!!

 

[GoofItUp]

I'm not a parent and I don't work from home, but.....

(most of you just scrolled past my post, didn't you? )

....I recently saw a TV show that was about working from home. One of the things they recommended was setting up a real office area. Not just a makeshift computer on a folding table, but a filing area, workspace, cup of pens on the desk -- whatever you would normally have at the office. They indicated this would help your productivity and focus.

I think it's great that you are able to work PT from home while you raise you're little one. Way to go!

 

[Minnie824]

I work from home, but I also have someone watching DD while I'm working. It would not be possible for me to get much done working at home and watching her at the same time. This is a good arrangement, because I am around more, don't have commute time, and can take breaks with her, but she requires too much attention to do both at the same time. Good luck!

 

[MickeyMac]

I've been working from home for years. One thing I have is an office area, that NO one is allowed to touch.

Keep track of your hours, too. "Punch" a clock, if you must. It's very easy to get distracted by a cup of tea, the laundry that needs folding, etc.

The other thing I did when my kids were young is when DH gets home, I do my heavy duty focus stuff and he watches the kids, or I start work when they go to bed.

You have to be really disciplined when the kids are babies, but it does get easier, and when it does, you will have set in great work habits.

 

[aprincessmom]

I worked from home part time (3 days at home, 2 in the office...full days) for a number of years. It was a great set up and ended up working out well for both me and my employer. But we set a number of rules and guidelines up front to make it work.

Number one rule...you need to have someone to watch your child during your working hours. Your company is paying for you to work during that time, not take care of your child. It's easier to get your job done when you have someone to watch your child. The benefit of working from home will allow you to spend your break times and lunch with your child, something you can't do while you're working in an office environment.

Number two...have a separate work space preferably one with a door. When I was in my office, I was in the office. Period. I left only to take breaks.

Number three...I found it helpful to act as if I were going to work at an office...get up, take a shower, dress professionally. Because I took my DD to child care I made it a habit to go to breakfast with her, drop her off and then come back so it gave me the illusion of leaving one place and then arriving at work. If you have home care you might consider taking a brief walk or drive to get coffee or a paper to make the transition seem a bit more realistic.

Number four...separate phone line. It was hard to feel like I was at work with everyone calling me wanting to chat. You are working from home, not just hanging out. I got a separate line for my office and used that as my work phone. I could answer it as I would at my office and even forward my office phone to it on the days I was I at home so no one had to remember another number. Worked great.

Number five...make a schedule and stick to it. There are two ways to get in trouble working from home. The first is because you work from home people think you are always available, no matter the time of day. They may think nothing of asking you to do an assignment for the next day at 4:59 p.m. because, well, you work from home so your office is right there. The reverse is also true...you may be tempted to do other things during the day because your office is there and who really cares if it gets done at 10 in the morning or 10 at night as long as it's ready by the deadline. It's better to set all expectations up front and stick to them.

Number six...make sure friends and family understand that just because you are home during the day, you are not available for the pop-in visit. You are at work. They wouldn't just pop up to chat if you were in an office building and they can't do that now either.

Working from home can be a really great experience but you need to establish rules for yourself and others before you start to help you suceed.

 

[pjlla]

While I agree with what the previous posters have said... that is mostly true if you are working by the hour. If you are working by the "job" or "line", depending on your type of work, then you can be a little more flexible about when you work. I do medical transcription and was able to work at home after my first child was born. Obviously, when she was very little, I was easily able to work during her nap time, or even as she played on the floor next to my desk. But as she got older I found it necessary to have help. I hired a teenager to watch her after school a few days a week. With the type of work I was doing, it didn't matter when it got done..... noon or 8pm, it didn't matter as long as it was done by the deadline. I didn't get paid by the hour, but by the line count, so if I got interrupted by a fussy child or needed to get up to start a load of wash, it didn't really matter too much.

I agree that you do need to set up a real "office" area, preferrably in a spare bedroom or in a finished room in the basement. Don't try to work in your bedroom... it is too distracting to work and makes the bedroom a "stress zone", which is really should never be!...........................P

 

[lynetteSC]

Thanks guys for all the advice! The good thing is that I will basically be an independent contractor with my company now ... so I won't really have official hours to work.

Atleast I will have flexibility until the baby is somewhat older, then I will probably do babysitter or mother's morning out program.

Thanks again for all the tips!

 

[lynetteSC]

bumping up

 

[Roemama1]

I, too, am a medical transcriptionist and work at home. The one main thing I guess, like someone else mentioned is let EVERYONE know that when you are working, you are WORKING!!! I can't tell you how many times I have been interrupted because people think it's no big deal. I have set hours that I have to work and I get paid "by the line" not by the hour so it does matter when and how much I work.

I also have taught my girls that mommy's desk space is an office and I'm at work. If Daddy is home, go ask him or let HIM know what they need. (It takes a while but they finally get it)

 

[gshoemate]

I agree, office space is important. I write reports for a software company and when I started, I would do it on the couch on my laptop....not very well thought out. I now have a desk set up in the back room. I don't have to work set hours so I do my work at night. DH does alot of work at home so when the kids are put down to bed, that is when we both do our work. One suggestions....stay away from the television. I have one in my space and find I can't get much done when I have it on. Sometimes I like it on just for noise....but before I know it, I'm zoning on some silly show.