by Christina G. Martin

Created on: November 29, 2010   Last Updated: November 30, 2010

Work from home time savers are music to the ears of that special breed of entrepreneur: moms working from home - the Mompreneur.

Mothers working from home tend to feel the pressure of the juggling act more than most: juggling children, house keeping, meal preparation, business and their personal lives. Some thrive on the adrenaline rush of it all, while others crack from the strain.

Work from home moms caught unprepared will tend to send the inadvertent message to their family that work is more important than children - a mother's nightmare. Avoid that dreadful reality by using work from home time savers such as these.

1. Schedule work around family needs

By planning your working moments around opportune quiet times (nap times, school hours and periods when the children are otherwise preoccupied), you will seize the moment and remain productive without being intrusive.

The flip side of this coin is that you will train your family to expect your work flow and they will, in time, learn to work with your schedule. Conversely, you will train yourself to work more efficiently in these moments that you are allotted.

2. Keep your work area (desk, office, etc.) clutter-free and organized

By not wasting time looking for your supplies, and looking for your important papers, you will be able to maximize your efficiency. This also means that keeping your important papers and supplies out of reach of young hands.

Some mothers find that they need to lock away their pens, paper and highlighters - or place them on high shelves so that children cannot wreak undue havoc.

"A place for everything" is a motto to live by. Even the house clutter can be kept to a minimum by passing along these lessons to the children by showing them easy ways to clean up the living areas (and this busies their hands while they seek to be helpful).

3. Reward your children for organizing their toys and putting away their clothes, dishes, etc.

Organizing is a learned skill - which means it is also taught. One of the easiest work from home time savers is to train your children to help as much as they are able. Teaching them to be organized with play areas and clothes will minimize "clutter stress" and help you save time so you have a minimum to clean up.

4. Schedule times for housework and work-work

For work at home moms to keep sanity, you will need to balance one ball at a time and balance it well - this can happen if you segregate your time spent doing 1 or 2 things at a time. If the house is being

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>