It
always happens when you're working at your peak, have a
pressing deadline, and are on a roll. One of your kids
comes home with a raging fever -- and needs a few days of
tender loving care to recuperate.
This
inevitable problem bedevils all working parents,
whether employed outside or inside the home. It can be
toughest for the proprietor of a home-based business,
because often there is no one else to cover the bases. The
need to care for a sick child -- without having to
answer to an employer -- is one of the reasons many parents
choose the work-at-home lifestyle. However,
even though you're no longer dealing with docked
paychecks, you cannot just cease doing business while the
kids are home -- not if you want to *stay* in business. This
is a time when you need to prioritize. And your
number one priority is your family. Of
course, you know that already, but it doesn't hurt to
remind yourself, especially if your business is in the
demanding startup phase.
-->Accept
the fact that you will not be as productive this
week. If do not already have a to-do list, start one
now and rank your priorities. Chances are, you'll find
lots of tasks that can wait a few days until your child
is back in school. Plan
to do only what is absolutely necessary. If you're
lucky, you may even be able to tackle a few of the
things that are lower on the list... just don't count on
it. -->Rely
on your voice mail system. Change your outgoing
message to reflect the fact that you may not be
available during regular office hours. You don't have
to reveal your reason if it is not appropriate. Simply
state that you will be out of the office for a few days
but will check in for messages. Prioritize your calls
and return them accordingly.
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Donna Schwartz Mills is the editor of the ParentPreneur
Club (http://www.parentpreneurclub.com/siteman/a8.html), an
online resource for moms and dads with home-based businesses
and those who are thinking of starting a home-based business.
She can be reached at donna@parentpreneurclub.com .
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