Moms’ Prosperity Network | Kelly Smith

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Oh my gosh, being a work at home mom can sometimes make you feel like you want to tear your hair out. I always say to my childless friends that I didn’t understand what busy was until I had children and adding a business on top of that is enough to make you almost frantic at times. Wait. Did I just say almost?  ;)

You made the decision first, to be home with your children and of course they come first. You want to give your children some quality mom and child time, have fun and learn with them. But when you are running a business too how do you find a balance?

The Key 
The most important thing, the key that has helped me and when I ask other wahms what their secret is, it all comes down to being organized. Organization is huge and keeps you sane especially when you have to keep track of more than yourself during the day.

Don’t worry, this doesn’t mean you need an obsessive-compulsive personality to map out every aspect of your day. But finding time to work is crucial and I mean time used wisely.

Schedules 
When your kids are on a schedule, then you’re on a schedule. Just because you’re home with your kids it doesn’t mean you have to do every activity with them. After all, they value their independence.

Keeping Kids Busy  
Some fantastic activites my children do while I get in some work time are: painting, coloring and playdoh. Then of course there are other opportunities to work on your own like naptime and arranging time with your significant other to care for the children when he comes home or even arranging a co op with other local wahms.

Doing what it takes 
This is the area where you will discover if you really can make it as a work at home mom because there will be sacrifices you will have to make especially in the beginning when every moment is crucial to get the business running.

Sacrifices for the greater good:
Television shows - are they making you any money?
Cleaning - I have found if I keep the big chores like laundry and recycling for the weekends.
Phone Calls - Keep your calls to your long last friends and family to a minimum, make the most of your time.

**Here’s a great site I found for WAHMs who want to get organized:**
http://www.homeorganizeit.com/organizeyourfamilysmorningroutine.html

Tools to help keep you organized:
Daily planner
Calendar
Computer, preferably a laptop, it’s way more convenient
Phone with voicemail or answering machine and of course caller id - for Aunt Mildred who is calling for the 3rd time today because she wanted to give you her special casserole recipe. :) 

Some people have the notion that work-at-home and even stay-at-home moms have all the time in the world and they get to watch Oprah and Phil on a daily basis. What??? If you’re husband is calling you during the day to ask you to do tasks tell him, you are at work just like he is and don’t have time until your work day is ended. Not that a mom’s day ever ends. . .

Let us know what works for you and helps to keep everything working like clockwork.

Cheers!  Kelly