By Crystal Ortiz
You've set up your home office to be functional, but have you considered how practical it is? Mine recently received an overhaul, based on the fact that my little ones are free to come and go (when I'm in it) as they please. I'm discovering I can get more work done during the day, and they know Mommy is right here when they want her. Let me tell you about some of the changes:
1. The toy shelves: Quiet toys, such as books to look at, stuffed animals that don't sing, etc. are placed on the bottom shelves in my office. If I put anything else there, they'll get it, so now there's something to attract their attention at their eye level.
2. Equipment: I put the computer up higher, as well as the phones, because my 19-month old was always pushing buttons, restarting the computer, taking pages out of the printer, and all sorts of other things. If you "babyproof" your office, it's less likely that you'll constantly be saying "No" or "Don't Touch".
Tip: I pulled out an old computer keyboard, so that they can type while I do, without me having to backspace and delete all of the jumblety-jee that they may have inserted while trying to "help momma".
3. Pictures: There are photographs on the walls of my family at different stages, including Mommy & Daddy. They tell me about the babies, about Daddy, and they can get closer and investigate.
4. Files: Lock the drawers. The last thing you want is your small tykes dumping client files, tax records, or other important papers on the floor, and you have to take the time to sort it again.
5. Office supplies: Put them up high. Otherwise your little angels will be writing on the walls, stapling their fingers, cutting your message pads to shreds, and eating paper clips.
6. Give them their own workspace: A small table and chairs work wonders. They can color, finger-paint, or play with legos while you're working, and they love the idea that they are "helping".
7. Most importantly, take a break. Let the voicemail get the phonewhile you refill juice cups, fix lunch, and spend the next 30 minutes wrestling, cuddling, or tickling your kids. When you wear them out some, they tend to be content to sit quietly. Talking to them about The Lion King is more important than anything else in their little world, and they want to share that with the most important person... you!
While some of this is not possible with small infants, keep in mind that they do grow. The important thing about being a work from home mother is to remember that you will work all of your life, but your children will only be children now. In the beginning of motherhood you'll have to make a lot of adjustments, and your home office will be one of them. Just do what you can, work when you can, and remember why you wanted to work from home in the first place.
Crystal Ortiz is a full-time mother of two toddlers and networkmarketer. You maycontact her via email at mlmtrainer@rica.net or by phone at (540) 574-3917.
