By Corrie Petersen

Most moms that decide to work at home do it for a couple of reasons. The main reason is because they want to be at home with their children or they want to be there for them if needed. That’s a pretty good reason I think.

Now, if your children are older they may have homework after school that will keep them occupied for an hour or so and this will give you time to continue to work your business. If your children are not of school age or they are younger, you may need to come up with ways to keep them busy while you work.

You have a couple of options to choose from when deciding what to do. Let’s start with the babies first and then move on to the older children.

• Babies

When your child is young, he may sleep a lot during the day, so you will have plenty of opportunities to get your work accomplished. Making the most of your day during nap times can be tricky, but you will learn how to use this time wisely after a few days.

Once the baby is older, he may not sleep as much and this is where you have to plan very well. Naps may be sporadic throughout the day, so appointments may be a little more difficult to make. You might consider taking your child to a family member for a few hours so you can make appointments or work your business. If your baby is on a schedule, the best thing is to take your baby during the hours they will be awake so you can work while they are asleep and while they are gone.

Another option is to change your schedule and work in the evenings when your spouse is home and can help. This will limit the hours you can work, but if you use your time wisely, you should be able to get a lot accomplished in a few hours.

• Toddlers

Toddlers are a little harder to work with, but it’s still possible. Bring your child into your office and surround him with his favorite toys. Another option is to put a TV in your office or move your office to the family room so you are in the same room as your child. You can purchase educational DVD’s for your child to watch while you work. Another option is to purchase color books and crayons and put your child to work drawing you pictures for your office walls.

• Tweens and Teens

Once your child is over the age of 10, they should be able to entertain themselves for hours. During the school year, they can complete their homework and read books. During the summer they can ride bikes, play basketball, and play with their friends. This will give you more time to focus and get your work accomplished.

Setting business hours and sticking to them is a top priority. At first it may be difficult to stick to them, but you need to try or you are defeating the purpose of working at home. Using creative childcare options will help you stick to your hours and you will be able to get a lot accomplished during these times.

About The Author

Corrie Petersen runs a successful Virtual Assistant business. She enjoys helping others reach their goals and dreams. Check out her website at www.virtualfreedom4you.com.

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com