Betty Vaughan Featured Guest Blogger

Work at Home Mania Featured Guest Blogger

“Betty Vaughan understands that achieving work-life balance has never been harder. She has experienced first-hand how remote work blurs the line separating one’s work from the rest of their life. That’s why she created nine-to-thrive.com. Through the site, she hopes to help anyone struggling with a work-life imbalance find and sustain that needed balance so that they can live a life where they can fully thrive”

Here is her latest article for WorkatHomeMania.org

Tips for Parents When Streamlining Remote Work

Working remotely can be a real challenge when you have little ones to look after. Both toddlers and babies require additional care and attention, which can, unfortunately, interfere with your remote work.

But there is good news. There are many survival tips from other parents who were in your shoes not long ago. But after researching and implanting these tips from Work at Home Mania, they were able to free up time to be more productive.

Set Up a Distraction-Free Workspace

This is a great tip for foster parents of toddlers and babies. Health enews notes that you want to set up your workspace in a way that minimizes distractions, so you can stay on task. If you have a desk at home, you might want to try these suggestions:

• Hide the television out of sight, or turn it off entirely.
• Keep toys and other distractions away from your workspace.
• Put your phone on silent mode or airplane mode.
• Decorate with photos of loved ones or artwork to make it feel more personal and cozy.

Of course, the above tips only go so far in a home with small children. So keep reading to find out other ways to maximize your workspace while reducing distractions.

Tapping Into Your Support System

If you’re managing a toddler or baby, you know that there’s never enough time for everything. Working from home is no exception. It’s important to think about your support system before you head off to your home office. Think about the people that can help with childcare, cooking, dishes, errands, and more.

It’s also essential to find ways to care for your own mental health. What does this look like? You might need to get up and go for a walk outside or take some time away from your desk in order to recharge.

And don’t forget to find ways to be comfortable. Even if you are nursing a little one, you can find great clothing that lets you be camera ready when needed, but still breastfeed when needed. It’s best to stock up on some great quality nursing bras so you can multitask like a pro.

Creating a Schedule

Entrepreneur points out that one of the best things you can do for yourself and your family is to create a schedule. Whether it’s for your toddler or baby, this will help ensure that you’re getting everything done and staying on track while still prioritizing your children.

It might be tricky to balance work with caregiving, but it’s not impossible. One of the best ways to do this is to establish a parenting plan. You’ll have to come together as a team and decide who’s responsible for what on certain days of the week. The key is developing an efficient system that lets both parents take care of themselves while also doing their fair share of caring for the family.

If your kids are a little bit older, make a plan that involves them in daily activities whenever possible. For example, you can involve the kids in preparing meals. It can be a fun way to spend time together while doing something productive. Plus, kids are more likely to eat things they have a hand in preparing.

Establish a Billing Process

If you’re working remotely as a freelancer while supporting your family, getting paid promptly is crucial to reducing stress and achieving financial success. Invoice clients immediately once services are completed, and give them multiple payment methods. It’s also wise to keep billing terms concise and easy to understand.

If you need to create an updated invoice, use this online invoice generator to design a customized invoice that includes your revised terms and conditions and incorporates your brand and logo.

Consider Going Back to School or Changing Careers

One way you can make your life easier is by enrolling in an online degree program that spans multiple industries. This would allow you to switch careers without having to change jobs. Plus, earning a degree online like a bachelor’s degree in business will reduce stress from work since you’re doing it at your own pace. With a business degree in particular, you can learn skills in accounting, business, communications, or management.

The idea of switching careers may seem daunting at first. Especially when you have a full-time job and are a parent. But, there are plenty of benefits to changing your career if you’re no longer challenged or if you’re ready for a career change. One benefit is alleviating stress from work. If your current job is no longer challenging or stimulating, it’s important to have something that will keep you motivated and happy in the long run. So be sure to weigh your options and start a new career that you’re happy with.

Use a Schedule and a Plan

If you have younger children, working remotely can be challenging. Use the tips outlined here – including setting up a distraction-free workspace, sticking to a schedule, having an effective billing process in place, and considering going back to school – to work productively while still prioritizing your kids.

Are you looking for a new work from home position? Then visit Work at Home Mania for a list of people who are hiring!