Mary Emma Allen is a writer/blogger, mom, and grandmother. She has written with kids, grandkids and grand neices and nephews swarming around her. She's held babies on her lap and typed at her computer. Currently she blogs at Home Biz Notes, Alzheimer's Notes, Quilting and Patchwork, writes the weekly "Country Kitchen" newspaper column and helps her husband run a home based business.
Most moms choose to work from home so they can be with their children or are less stressed juggling family, job and sometimes a lengthy commute. However, when they get settled into their home business, they find they have to juggle here. Much will depend on the age of your children and what they can do to help.
10 Tips to Help You
1. Become organized so you can make the most of every spare moment. (Then remember your method of organization! Do you sometimes try, as I do, to recall the "logical” place you filed something when you organized? Now it seems not so logical!)
2. Think of yourself as a business person when you’re on the job, whether it’s working at the computer or waiting on customers in a home shop. How you think of
yourself is reflected in the way others treat you.
3. Delegate work around the home that you absolutely don’t have to do. Even if the children don’t do the chores as well as you would, overlook that and praise their
help. They do improve!
4. Post a weekly bulletin or white board with everyone’s schedule and duties. Let children trade around jobs as long as everything gets done.
5. Include your work time as part of the schedule. (Mom’s not to be disturbed during those hours.) 
7. Learn to make the most of any spare moments. I’ve discovered with my writing I ust write, even if in short bits, whenever I have a chance. My family laughs when I go for a walk and take a notebook with me for jotting down thoughts. You also could use a recorder and speak into this while walking.
8. Hire a babysitter for specific times if you have children that aren’t in school and nap times aren’t long enough. (My daughter gave up napping at 11 months old.)
9. Keep school hours if your children are in school and schedule appointments after
your working or shop hours. (No more, “I know you only work at home, so you can make a 11:00 dentist appointment, can’t you?”)
10. Be flexible. As well organized and efficient as you try to be, emergencies will crop up. (“Come get Benjy,” the school nurse says, “He’s throwing up all over the place.”) So you may have to work later that evening or get up earlier the next morning to meet deadlines.
Sometimes you may think, “I can’t do this. Nobody thinks I’m really working.” Be firm because you ARE working. Gradually, if you refuse to give in to other’s requests and the housework during specific hours, they should begin to accept this.
How do you find time to get your work done in your home business? What tips do you suggest adding to this list?
©2008 Mary Emma Allen
Laura, I'm thrilled to be a guest at Work From Home Momma. Thank you for asking me. I hope your readers find some tips to help them with their daily routine and home business.
Posted by: Mary Emma Allen | March 21, 2008 2:17 PM | Permalink to Comment