Working With Kids Underfoot
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It is summertime and the kids are out of school, do you know how you’re going to accomplish your work and still keep them happy? Many new work-at-home moms think they can take the summer off, but one summer of not working your business will have you peddling fast to try and salvage what you spent a year working to accomplish. No, closing shop for the summer isn’t the answer to the age old dilemma, “How can I get any work done with kids underfoot?”

If you’re ready to multi-task as you’ve never done before, you’ll enjoy these simple, yet useful tips for juggling quality time with your children and running a successful home-based business.

1. Schedule Morning Play Dates.
   No matter how much work you have to get done, don’t push your kids aside hoping to get the work done first. The guilt of telling them “no”, “not right now”, “give me five more minutes”, or “later” will weigh heavy on your mind and prevent you from having a productive work day.
   
   Because you work from home, you make your hours. With that in mind, schedule client meetings and phone calls after lunch, push deadlines for later in the evening instead of early morning, and let your answering machine handle all morning calls.
   
   Spend your mornings basking in the love and companionship of your children. Giving them first priority shows them that they’re more important that your work and will stop sibling fights that often occur out of boredom.
   
   
2. Take Five.
   Even though you’ve given your children a fair amount of your time, leaving you less hours to complete your work during daylights, don’t allow that to become an excuse to leave them alone all afternoon. Take five minute breaks to check up on them. Use these breaks to cuddle and watch cartoons, to play a quick game, or to simply talk. This way, your children learn to play on their own—which is great for their imaginations without completely feeling alone, they learn to respect your work time, and you have the satisfaction of knowing what’s going on in the other room. In time, the schedule you’ve set will become the norm and you’ll be able to accomplish your day’s tasks without the guilt.
   
   
3. Get Outdoors.
   Summer time is beautiful and warm. Don’t spend it cooped up in the house. Get out and enjoy the weather, the sun, and the many outdoor activities available to you and your children. Something as simple as a weekly trip to the local zoo can do wonders for your productivity and your children’s “cabin fever”.
   
   An annual pass to the local zoo usually runs $100 or less for a family of four which makes it a great, low cost outing. Toddlers love the fact that they can run amuck without being told to watch for cars or breakables, they get their little heart rates up, and be the day’s end they’re ready for a nice nap—which works out great for you, because you can work while they sleep. (Don’t forget to pack a lunch for that picnic!)
   
   Pre-teens, however, may find the local zoo a bit “immature” so consider a pass to the local water park or amusement park. The weekly visit may wear you out as much as them, so don’t plan on working on any big project. In fact, consider taking the day off!
   
   Go swimming every afternoon. Whether you live near the beach or have a public pool just around the block, a 5 o’clock swim is a great way to unwind after a long day of juggling home and office and more importantly, your kids get to experience a wonderful time in the sun with mom!
   
   Take a picture walk. Purchase a few cheap disposable (or digital) cameras then head out for a walk around town. Have your children choose one theme for the day and only photograph items, subjects, or people that match that theme. The next day, use those photographs as a craft project: scrapbooks, collages, mobiles, posters, reports, etc.
   
   
4. Start A Babysitting Club.
   Even non-wahms need a break from time to time. Scheduling a play date is a great way to gain an entire day of kid-free activities. Get together with a few moms in your neighborhood and offer to swap babysitting for a day.
   
   Here’s how it works: Mom 1 takes all the kids on Monday. Mom 2 takes the kids on Wednesday. Mom 3 takes the kids on Friday. That gives you two free afternoons to hold client meetings, return phone calls, or work on that big project. And if you run a product-based business, it allows you to handle customer service issues and ship your products.
   
   
5. Eat Out.
   Depending on the age of your children, eating out can be rather fun. Small children find a trip to play-land at the local fast food restaurant a wonderful treat and it offers the perfect opportunity for you to catch up on reading. Pre-teens find a trip to the bowling alley for a game and pizza to be the perfect combination. And teenagers might actually enjoy a sit-down meal at their favorite restaurant while chatting it up with mom.