Page 8 - Work At Home Moms Part 2
P. 8
FAMILY FIRST
When you choose to work out of your home, you are not the only one who
will be impacted by the decision. Your husband, older children and anyone
else living in the home will also feel the effects. For the most part, having
Mom at home is a great thing. Families, however, will need to kick in and
help. If they don’t support your decision, your business venture could be
dead in the water before it even gets started.
So, what do you need from your family to make your home-based venture
succeed? Make sure your family is willing to:
Help Out Around The House
It can be very tempting for family members to leave everything for
you to do just because you’re home. While they might have pitched
in to cook, shop, do laundry and so on when you worked outside
the house, this might stop if you don’t get proactive with
establishing boundaries now. It is all too easy for spouses and older
children to think that just because Mom is working at home, she’s
always more available to handle other tasks. While it’s likely you’ll
be able to do more if you can multitask well, you just won’t be able
to do it all every day.
Stay Onboard
Make sure you and your partner fully discuss the idea of working at
home before you dive in. If you don’t have 100 percent support
from your partner, you will likely fight an uphill battle. Make sure to
discuss the situation with an open mind. If there is resistance,
share your business plan, your budgeting and other backup
materials. Chances are your partner will love the idea of your child
not being raised outside the home. Just do make sure your partner
is onboard and will stay that way.
Help Out In A Pinch
Juggling home and office life is hard no matter what. If you’re
running your own business, there are times when you will have to
drop the proverbial ball on home duties, childcare or something.
With this in mind, it can be imperative to your business and its
chances for success that you have contingency plans in place for
emergencies. Is your spouse willing to take a day off to watch a
sick child if you have a big sale that needs to be made? Will older
children or grandparents pick up a younger child when you just
can’t be there? Make sure you have a good support system in place
and half your battle will be won.
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