A few years ago it became popular for stay at home moms to start a business out of their home. Work from home moms would stay at home to raise their children, and they could schedule their work around them. Since then, it has become more popular for employers to hire these moms who work from home (or even dads!), shaking off a lot of expenses by doing so.

In all avenues of life, there are pluses and minuses. Give and take. This comes into play full throttle when you’re a “work from home mom” and have an office in your home.

With me, I love the fact that I can roll out of bed, make a cup tea and boot up the computers as I let out the dog and feed my pets in a t-shirt and panties. It’s paradise for me. Maybe because of the intensive traveling early on in my life, but I love this life of working from home. I make my own hours and don’t have to worry about putting on makeup those days that I don’t have appointments. As a matter of fact, I can stay in my PJs as long as I want to.

Taking A Break From Work Is Important!

When I need a break, I talk with my fiance usually who also works out of his apartment. If I feel stress and he is working, I can run on the treadmill.

Taking breaks is important not only to rest your eyes and to relax, but to refuel. This is very important for work from home moms, depending on what you do. A much needed break and healthy food is often postponed due to being so absorbed in your work. The possibility that you may lose your train of thought or focus before accomplishing the task stops us from doing so.

So, very often our life patterns are not the norm with work from home jobs, but we do this because we enjoy it; and many of us are responsible for the majority of the work load and the growth of our business. We own the business, so we are more inclined to work too many hours - and we make many sacrifices in the meantime. Does this sound familiar to you?

Taking in to consideration that I need balance in my life, I still decided to put off on having a relationship until I build my business up. Then, several months ago, I met the perfect man for me, who was supporting me in my quest from start. This made life even better. Once he introduced himself into my world, he has only improved it.

A Few Things To Take Care Of When You’re A Work From Home Mom

There are extra things that I need to do because I work out of my home.

1. When a client comes I want it spotless. I don’t have a private entrance, so they have to come in through the the front door. Luckily, my house mate and myself are tidy. We’re both neat freaks, but as I said before, we have pets. They are our babies… My biggest and most mischievous is my dog. He is huge and to a stranger, he could be scary so I always put him in the basement with a doggy treat or (the weather permitting it) outside where he can amuse himself.
2. If you live with animals, make sure it doesn’t smell bad. When you live with animals you become immune to their odors, and your clients may live pet free, so avoid becoming embarrassed. I always vacuum more often and use candles and air freshener, just in case something gets by my nose. Sometimes, I use a stick of incense or a potpourri crock steamer. I use scented oil and cinnamon sticks, but nothing too overpowering; and if you keep it mildly “earthy”, or if you just baked some muffins, it is more natural and you can get away with this .
3. Make sure that it doesn’t only smell good, but also looks great. Just be aware you may not notice an odor and think rather or not cleaning the litter box once a week is enough. It isn’t, unless you only have one cat. We have four, so I find it necessary to clean and use the odor adsorbing litter and liners. I have two litter boxes and often have to take the responsibility of keeping them fresh and clean.
4. Once again, smell is sooo important! It is always good to start a fresh pot of coffee and allow the aroma to flow through the house. Offer up a cup to your business client when he arrives (even if he’s a jerk).

Working Hours

I know many work from home moms try to keep it as professional as in a standard workplace, but I admit I don’t. Then again, my work week is seven days usually; so I will do laundry, go back to work and wait for the buzzer. You are always more tempted to work more hours and multi-task at home.

Working from your own house is a solution for many of us who want it all. Having the capability and structure to have the convenience of a home office is every business woman’s dream.

Eventually, we will marry and have children. Recently, my man and I looked at a few houses on the market. We only found one that fits our standards with two home offices. So this isn’t exclusively the perfect scenario for us ladies. Men are finding that it is more fitting with their careers also.

So in a nutshell, working at home is great for anyone who can. This includes the typical work from home jobs for moms - if your job is a good one that suits you and pays off, that is.

I am taking a lot into consideration and making strides to accomplish having my professional career and achieving my ultimate goals, becoming his wife and having our babies. I have waited this long and have met the ultimate man for me, so next is marriage and babies!

A home office is a perfect fit for me because I don’t want to miss a minute of raising my kids and having a career. Being able to work with my husband across the hall in his office was unpredicted. I never imaged that coming into play, but since it has, I can’t wait. To me, this is having the best of both worlds.

Have you already read this post Entrepreneurial Insinct?