Simple Time Management Solutions for Work-At-Home Parents

Most work-at-home parents think that by working from the house, they will have more time to spend with their families. While this is usually true, it also means that your workday can be even more hectic than if you were working in an office downtown. When I first started working at home, I often challenged the sanity of my decision because I rarely got enough work done and I was always fielding interruptions from my family. From my experience, these are simple time management solutions for work-at-home parents.

Time Management Solution #1. Set a Schedule - And Stick to It
One of the biggest mistakes that a work-at-home parent can make is failing to keep a set schedule. Although you can feel free to work whenever you want - and also play whenever you want - you'll find that getting work done without a schedule is next to impossible. No matter how hard your children and spouse vie for your attention, during the workday, you have to get things done. So even if it means working a regular nine-to-five, a schedule will make for effective time management and will leave your evenings free for your family. This doesn't mean that you can't take a break every so often to say "hello" to your kids, but it does mean knowing when to say "no".

Time Management Solution #2: Make it a Game
A simple closed door is not much of a deterrant for crafty boys and girls who want to spend time with their parent, so you'll have to think of something more ingenious - and I don't recommend a padlock, for safety reasons. Instead, make a game out of telling your children (and spouse) when you aren't available. One idea is to play "Red Light/Green Light". Fashion a traffic signal out of construction paper for your office door. When the arrow is pointing to "Green Light", the kids are welcome to come in and visit with you. When it's switched to "Red Light", however, you are unavailable and cannot be disturbed. You can even use the "Yellow Light" to inform everyone that you are available, but that they must enter slowly and silently so as not to disturb you in the middle of a task.