San
Diego Professional Organizer Image Consultant Advice
Welcome to our advice section. Every week I answer new questions submitted
by readers on Organizing, Image, Fashion and Event Planning.
You can read my "AddSPACE To Your Life!" column every week
in San Diego's “The Coast News" or read the archived columns
below.
E-mail your questions to advice@addspacetoyourlife.com
Work
at Home Moms, Home Offices/ Kids
09.16.05
Dear
Kathi,
Do you have any tips for work at home moms? I have a two-year old
son
and a home office. Each day I am determined to get more work done
but I often get sidetracked with my son, laundry and other household
tasks. It is hard to keep my son occupied, disregard household chores
and do business at the same time.
Lisa, Cardiff by the Sea
Lisa,
My first recommendation is to implement a very structured and regular
schedule for your son. Once his food, nap and play times are set,
you
can work your schedule around his.
For instance, you can begin to plan your outbound phone calls during
his nap time. You could also schedule your meetings during the first
part of his ‘play-alone’ times. He will most likely be
self-absorbed as
he discovers the latest toy you have re-found for him.
Every evening, place a different set of toys for the next day in his
designated play area and stow the toys from the day before. Each day
your son will look forward to a new discovery and activity. Keep rotating
his toys and he will find new ways to play with each one as it cycles
through his playtime.
Keep your son’s play area in the same spot every day, just outside
your
work zone. Let him know that he has his own space for play as you
do yours for work. Keep these respective zones as separate as possible.
If he has his own personal space from the beginning, he will develop
a strong sense of it as he grows. Then be constantly respectful of
his space throughout the years of his youth.
If he insists on helping you work, set up a mini-desk in his area
and
offer him paper and crayons to help with your current project. Give
him
one of your real papers and see if he can copy down any of the
information or draw around it in some fashion. Maybe he can look in
books or magazines to find pictures related to your work?
Plan to eat breakfast and lunch together. You both need to eat, and
you will be spending time with him as well as paying attention to
him
at the same time that you are working from home. Lunch is a
great time to check in with him to see if he has enough toys to keep
him
happy after he wakes up form his afternoon nap.
Every week, see if you can swap playtimes with friends who have
children. Devoting two days per week for half a day with two kids
instead of one will give you entire afternoons undisturbed to tackle
your most challenging work. The days you watch the children, take
a notepad with you to the park and jot down thoughts about action
steps you can implement into your business.
Regarding your household tasks, I recommend that you hire someone
to help you with your basic weekly cleaning chores. You will see the
money that you spend returned back to you with increased productivity
and clarity for your business. At the same time, you will have more
energy to take care of the more important parts of your life; your
son, your family and your business.
Please
submit your questions to:
advice@addspacetoyourlife.com
.
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