- Q. I can't seem to get myself
out of the "office." The work is never done and it's
always right here so I figure I should be working. My 6 year
old daughter is the reason I took a leap and began working from
home but she never gets any time with me.
Part of the problem is that I sometimes don't realize how close
a deadline is and take too much time to spend out of the office.
Another is that I have to do more than usual to prove to the
bosses that working at home doesn't mean I'm loafing around in
my slippers, even though I took a 30% paycut to do it.
- Finally, I'm
an organizational freak and if the house or the office is in
disarray I clean first, then work.
My daughter is great and doesn't cause any problems. She takes
it better than she should that I work an average of 14 hours
a day at least 2 wks out of the month. Please HELP!
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A. As the old saying goes, "A man works
from sun to sun, but a woman's work is never done." You
have to face the fact that there will always be more work
to do. But you won't always have a precious child at your
side.
-
- You say your
daughter is "great" and "doesn't cause any problems."
Because of her easy disposition may I suggest you try setting
up a work station for her in your office. It doesn't work with
all kids (it only worked with one of my four children) but when
it does work, it's delightful. She can do homework, read, pretend
to type (or really type) at your side.
-
- Because you
like to be organized, I would also suggest making a daily work
schedule that includes specific time to be with your daughter.
If this time is written into your schedule, you won't feel "guilty"
about spending that time with her. After all, it's in the schedule.
-
- Also, if you
have a positive attitude about what a blessing it is to be able
to work at home, your day will go more smoothly. Think of all
the things you don't have to deal with - commuting, expensive
work clothes, sitting in a cubicle, office politics...That reminds
me of one of my favorite "Funny Kid" stories:
-
- At the dinner
table Don was letting off some steam that had built up from the
day's office politics. His 9-year-old son was surprised by his
father's frustration. "But Dad," he protested, "aren't
you pretty high up in your company's anarchy?"
Grace
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