Survival Strategies for Work-at-Home Dads

Working at home is not just for moms anymore, but dads as well. There are many men who work from home now; either through their own internet businesses or by telecommuting. However, one of the biggest complaints you hear from a new work-at-home dad is that they can't find the appropriate balance between the two.

Once you can find that balance, things will flow easily. Sometimes it requires thinking outside the box. Below are some survival strategies for work-at-home dads.

Tips for Work-at-Home Dads
Bruce Galle has been working from home since 1996. He has some seasoned tips for work-at-home dads. "Being a work from home dad, I found I fell into the abyss by being absorbed by my business, working 16-17 hours a day. To break the spell is not easy; however, I was able to set myself up with a schedule, which has been very productive for me as well as permitting me more time with the family. Try working early in the morning; sometimes I start as early as 4 AM while everyone else is still asleep. Don't worry about going full steam ahead, but rather work a little, try to get organized for the rest of the day, taking coffee breaks on the back porch or another peaceful place in your home. This allows you to break again when the children wake up, thus not disturbing you while working, hence eliminating aggravation on your part.

Once the kids go to school if they are of age, your real work day should begin. If the children are not of age, then I would suggest a day care for at least half a day allowing you to remain focused. Try to stop working prior to the children coming home. This does not mean drop everything all the time. There will be times you are working on a task at hand that you may be able to complete shortly or one that needs to be completed by that day. If you follow these simple tasks, you will find more time for your family, as well as a more productive work day for yourself."

Rewards for a Lifetime
"Working at home looks great on paper," says Lisa Preston. "Think of all the extra time you'll have for your family by staying at home! Unfortunately, being at home doesn't always equate to being there for your family. Entrepreneurs face the tendency to let our work absorb us to the point where we can't easily 'check out' of work mode. Make sure your family knows when you're working and when you're available. Eat supper with your family every night. Each day remind yourself that your family is more important than your job. A job can't hug you when you've had a hard day, can't help you up when you've fallen, can't honor and respect you. The commitment to spend time with your family every day will offer rewards for a lifetime."

Forget Balance: Be Available
Brian Rooney says, "Working from home while raising five teenagers has taught me to just forget the idea that there would be anything resembling 'balance'. My wife and I home school all five of our kids. I coach a basketball team and we are constantly going back and forth to practices, music recitals, etc... Add to that schedule the challenges of running two businesses from home and being a freelance musician and the concept of 'balance' goes right out the window. Instead, I tend to focus on what I call the 'golden moments.' Those impromptu interactions with the kids, being able to grab lunch with my wife 'just because', taking off early to coach a basketball game, spending the morning helping my son find vending machines for his vending business, etc... Some days, I may be working late at night. Or I may have to get up a little earlier to get the work done that I missed the day before. The joy and satisfaction of just being there and being present with my family is worth the bizarre schedule and somewhat unorthodox approach to working. I wouldn't trade it for the world."

Each person that works from home needs to find the routine that works best for them. One that includes time with the family as well as accomplishing the things needed for their business. Being able to be flexible and spending time with your family is definitely a perk for working at home.

Luanna is a Virtual Assistant and Staff Editor for IdeaMarketers. She helps small business owners save their precious time by taking care of the basic needs they have to keep their businesses up and running.

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Luanna Rodham
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Luanna@LuannaRodham.com
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