I wanted to work from my home because I wanted the flexibility of being there for my kids when they needed me. But the long summer and the incessant "MOM"s are grating on my last nerve. One of the things we've had to work on this summer is boundaries of "mom's working" which means "do not disturb". I'm sure I'm not the only mom working at home that has faced some challenges, so let me share some things that seem to help.
Work Space sounds like "W O R K"
My office is in the same place it has been for the last four years, but now that I'm working from the house 95% of the time, when I'm sitting at my desk, it's typically work, not mindless surfing of the internet. To help my family (and myself) better understand this, I made some slight adjustments to my office area that have increased my productivity and reduce the number of interruptions.
I first removed all personal books and put them away in my bedroom. In my bookshelves now reside reference books, office supplies, my planner and my rolodex. The cutesy decorations have been reduced from overwhelming to very few. Where once stuffed animals and birthday cards lived atop my desk, now my business cards, my planner holder, and a few small photos reside. And I've changed the phone by my desk. Since a good deal of my time is spent on the phone, I've dumped the clunky corded phone and now use a cordless phone with a headset. Sure, it sounds like little things, but it helps.
Announcing My Schedule
When we're sitting down for dinner on Sunday evenings, I sketch out my schedule for the week to everyone. I make clear, but simple statements like "I'm going to spend Monday morning making calls, and then will go to the gym for the 6:30 Aerobics Class" or "I won't be able to take anyone to friends' houses on Thursday because I have a presentation to do in Ft. Worth". Time critical items, like conference calls and outside appointments, are put on our family calendar to indicate I won't be available at all. Everyone is beginning to understand that just because I'm physically home, it doesn't mean I'm available.
Quiet, Please
As part of my scheduling, I've also instituted "quiet times". There is nothing less professional than talking to a potential client while the TV is blaring in the background. I institute quiet times each day where no one is allowed to play the radio or TV if it's audible in the front part of the house. It doesn't mean my kids are stuck in silent rooms - they can watch TV in their room, play a video game, or play the latest computer game while wearing headsets.
Don't Sit There
And on days that I've worked for long periods of time at my desk, I resist the urge to relax by surfing. I get away from my desk and watch a movie with the girls - or take them out for some ice cream. By giving signals to them of being "available" to them, they're learning to better respect my time at my desk. But it's a discipline issue for myself as well, to not fall in the trap of letting my desk chair serve as a place to live my leisure time.
Though it sounds simple, the small items outlined above have seemed to help - at least where my kids are concerned. They like having me around and are looking forward to me picking them up from school this year.
Now, it hasn't cut back on every single "MOM!" I hear, and there are still days when I'm on the phone with a client that my kids walk up and begin talking to me, but August is much better than June was. I'm still looking forward to school starting, though. Only sixteen more days...