by Laurie Childree

Created on: February 04, 2009   Last Updated: February 19, 2009

You can work in your pajamas if you want to. You can take lunch and coffee breaks whenever you want; you are in control. Working at home gives you a sense of freedom you have never felt before and you can't wait to dive into the world of the telecommute. There seem to be some things you forgot along the way such as reality.

Working at home sounds like a dream come true for most, but for some the reality turns into a nightmare. The things that had to be done around the house such as the laundry and other basic cleaning will still have to be done even though you are working at home. No more will you be gone all day and come home to do what needs to be done before you retire for the night, now you will be aware of it all day.

When you decided to work from home you probably took the kids out of daycare and depending on their ages they're driving you crazy as you attempt to work. Finding a balance between house work and work when you work from home takes time and determination.

When you went to work outside the home, you had set working hours that were for nothing other than work. Of course, you had your lunch break and sometimes fifteen minute breaks at other times during the day which were your time. Setting actual work times when you're working from home is the first step in creating a balance between your work and housework. No matter how many hours you work each day, you need to have set times to work which you shouldn't interrupt.

Doctors appointments occur when you're not working at home and you work around them, do the same when you work at home. The housework falls outside of the work time.

Morning routines don't have to undergo a drastic change, but you're more likely to have time to get the dishwasher loaded and a load of laundry on before work when you're working from home. If you don't utilize an electric dryer opting to hand clothes out to dry washing the laundry and hanging it out before you begin the work day will keep you from interrupting your day to complete the task. When the work day is complete, you can run out and get your clothes in before you begin making the evening meal.

Working from home means that you're not likely to have the time to cook lunch each day since it can interfere with your work load or watching the kids. Try cooking enough at night to have leftovers the next day to cut down on time and exactly enjoy part of the half hour or hour you set aside for lunch. If you feel up to it while you take your lunch break you can do some light dusting or vacuuming, although it too will wait until your work day has ended.

Do you have children that are old enough to pitch in? Let them. Assign everyone in the household specific chores to do during the week and divide them up on the weekends. Just because you're home all day with the exception of appointments and errands doesn't mean that you should have to do it all by yourself, you deserve help. There are set days for things such as trash pickup, so as the garbage bags get full whoever filled them should take them outside. On the day that the trash can has to go out to the curb each week someone should be assigned to that week.

Making a schedule and sticking to it is the best way to balance housework with working from home. Whether you work during children's nap times or clean house during their naps you have to stick to your schedule. Sometimes you have to clean while you watch the kids and work while they're asleep. It's all a matter of adjustment to your circumstances.

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