Tears, tantrums and joy

Working from home can seem like the perfect solution for parents - if you are considering this please read my pros and cons before you make up your mind:

Pros

>Work can be more flexible and fit in with your family lifestyle

>If you can work around your kids routines and your partner helps out you may not need childcare

>You will save money on childcare and travel costs - also on office rental if you are self-employed

>You may find it easier to concentrate as there are no work colleagues to distract you

Cons

>If your kids are not yet at school it may prove difficult to do your work around their routines.  They do not always stick to their routines and certainly do not understand that they can’t interrupt you while you are working

>There is of course children’s school holidays to consider also

>Visitors coming along your home and phone calls can also be an unwanted distractions

>You may find it more difficult to switch off from work and relax as it is in your own home

Working from home can be very successful for many parents.  It all really depends how many hours you are expecting to be able to work each day and how you organise your time.  You must be honest with yourself at the start and not expect yourself to perform miracles.  You cannot do a full day’s work at home while directly supervising young children.  You may be able to fit in a few hours and maybe some again at night when they are sleeping.  Partners and parents may be able to help out with childcare to allow you to work.  If your children are at the school this obviously makes working from home a more viable option.  You must organise your time well and be very disciplined as it is easy to get distracted with other things while in your own home.

Please visit my website at:

http://www.tearstantrumsandjoy

Going back to work after having my son for me was a very stressful time.  I pretty much buried my head in the sand and hoped and prayed that I would receive some kind of a wind fall which would mean I could stay at home with my beautiful little boy.  I loved being a full-time mum and for the first time in my life began to understand the impact money had on my life choices.

I learned by my mistakes though and realised that the ostrich position only made things worse.  What you need at an over emotional time like this is a well organised plan of action so that you have something to focus your attention on.  I would advise every new mother who is thinking of going back to work to check out the childcare facilities in your area as soon as possible.  This may be a good project to do even before you’ve had your child as you’ll have more time to put into it then.  Look at what they offer and how much they charge.  I think the best and most truthful recommendations are from other parents.  If you like the look of somewhere do a bit of research and see if you know someone who knows someone who uses their facilities.  Also if you have friends who have children find out from them what childcare provision they use.

Now we all know that childcare can be costly so it may be worth finding out if grandparents would be willing to help out.  Of course there are plus and minus points about this.  Friends and other family members may also be willing to help you out or come to a childcare arrangement with you if they also have kids.

Please visit my website at:

http://www.tearstantrumsandjoy.com