How do you draw boundaries between work and home life?

[shamaker]

Personally, this is one of the hardest things for me to do, keep my work from spilling over into my home life. So I thought I would see how others do it. Any tips or things you do to keep your work separate from your home, since our work IS at home? Thanks!

[cambrosio]

I'm having that same problem. My kids just don't understand that I'm working even though I'm in the home.

[shamaker]

I hear you on the kids bothering you! One thing I've tried that works most of the time is to schedule my work at the same time each day, such as from 9 to 11, and then tell the kids that I'll be available at 11 to read stories, or do whatever with them. For younger children, sometimes you have to set a kitchen timer to help them with time.

Also, suggesting things for them to do can buy you time as well, such as mentioning a favorite toy or something they haven't played with for a while. And don't be afraid to tell them to leave you alone or go to their room.

[micg121]

Originally Posted by shamaker

Personally, this is one of the hardest things for me to do, keep my work from spilling over into my home life. So I thought I would see how others do it. Any tips or things you do to keep your work separate from your home, since our work IS at home? Thanks!

That is a tough nut to crack. Fortunately for me, my career has always allowed me to do some work from home whenever I had a need to make some adjustments in my schedule. But now that I'm full-time at home - since 2005 - here's the biggest thing I was able to stick to that makes it so much easier than most would think. Set boundaries and stick to them. Block out the time you want to devote to working and inform all family members of those hours and ask that they respect what you are doing. Just ask them to handle the circumstances as though you were still leaving home for an “off-site” gig.

[MelissaTL]

I found this really hard too

Basically I was writing after having my baby so I just did it in what little free time I had. Now that he is older I try to have some boundaries but it's really difficult to be honest.

I think that it mainly depends on what you are doing and how old your children are. If you have to work at a certain time and your children are older then perhaps you should make yourself an office at home and make it private, just for mommy unless it's an emergency.

[shamaker]

Have you found that having a completely separate office with a door that closes helps? As I type this, my children are in my office but I can close the door when I'm on the phone.

[LoveLoveParties]

Yes....office with door. It makes it simple. Of course a few years ago, my "office" was the corner or our bedroom. But if you have a spare room. BY ALL MEANS...use it!!!

I forget which speaker suggested this, but have a sign for your door. A big red stop sign on one side and a big yellow smiley face on the other side. I think you get the idea. Interruptable vs. Not Interruptable

Lastly, HOURS. Schedule. Work from home? Treat it like a job then! Give yourself hours, then give your kids some time to adjust and understand your working hours. No overtime, unless absolutely necessary.

When I first started working from home my kids were 10 months and 2 y/o. I looked for referrals for an affordable home day care person. Erica, an awesome provider, took my girls 3 days a week from 10-4. I couldn't have sanely done the infant/toddler AND work from home thing without this.

[Lynn B]

I don't have much luck with this. One thing I did rule out was any business that required me to take phone calls through the day - just not fair expectations for my kids to keep quiet all the time. The few phone calls I do need to make, I do when dh is home in the evening, or when someone keeps the kids for a few hours (we homeschool so the kids are almost ALWAYS here!)

If I have urgent matters to handle during the day, I set the kids up with a game or video and finish as soon as possible. The rest I save for when they are in bed, usually a few hours a night. I think getting help with the kids one or two days a week is an excellent solution - what about trading childcare? The worst thing I can do is "try" to work all day while fending off the kids. I get frustrated and nothing gets done well, and they feel neglected and ignored. I don't do well with interruptions. Keep looking for the balance that's right for you! I've enjoyed hearing what others are doing.

Lynn
Inspired Baskets by La Bella - Home

[Design by the Pixel]

It gets a lot easier when the kids are in school for sure. They are in school so I can do all the work I need to do. But now with another baby on the way, it makes me a little nervous again. I definitely don't want to ignore the little one and I also don't deal with interruptions very well. Looks like I probably move my office over to the living room on a laptop.

~Johanna

[shamaker]

When my oldest was a baby, I had her cradle right by my computer desk, so I could wind the mobile or rock the cradle while answering email or writing. I also worked with the playpen nearby when the child got mobile, so she could see me and yet be contained so I could work.