Time earning money or time Playing with kids
By Troublegum
@Troublegum (641)
United States
January 23, 2009 12:22pm CST
Ok, so my work comes in bursts. There is a lot to do, and then I will hit a lull where there is little to do but sit and wait or find the next thing to do. Unfortunatly the lulls (like right now) don't always come when my son is around, and the peaks seem to be the same times when I have alloted time with him. Understanding that we all need to eat and have a house to live in, but that spending time with family is also important, how do you decide when it is better to play and when it is beter to earn in your lives?
1 person likes this
7 responses
@FDBrister (115)
• United States
24 Jan 09
I tend to have this exact same problem. It all comes down to being able to put work aside sometimes even when you know you should be working.
As a parent, our children are our first priority. I understand that making more money may seem like a priority as well, but in the grand scheme of things, it doesn't even rank second. Kids will never remember what toy you bought them last year and they really won't care about having the extra when giving up that extra thing means more time with a parent.
Try keeping a log... take a few days or weeks, make a note for yourself as to when (time) work is going strong, how long it took you to complete it, etc; then also make a note of when there was a lull in work. Hopefully you will see a pattern that will allow you to schedule time with your son while not feeling you're neglecting work.
@FDBrister (115)
• United States
24 Jan 09
Actually, I too meant the jobs that pay a little more. I too work from home, so I understand what you're talking about. There have been times when I wanted to accept an assignment and didn't because I knew that it would take me a long while to finish the assignment, not leaving any time for the kids. I've learned that if you schedule the priority things first (i.e. playing with the kid) and schedule things around that, you end up being happier and feeling less guilt. Not only that, but when you put the priority things first, the rest of it either tends to fall into place, or fall off altogether, making you wonder why it was you were worried to begin with.
@Troublegum (641)
• United States
24 Jan 09
Oddly enough I work from home because I thought it was a great way to be able to spend more time with my son and not have to have him in school as much. But as it turns out, work is work wherever you do it. Speaking of which he is up from his nap and I have to go.
@FDBrister (115)
• United States
24 Jan 09
I know it seems to make no sense, but maybe you should consider putting him in a daycare for only a few hours a day, or even every other day. Then you can work when he's in daycare, but after that, you're his. Of course you can still work during his naps, etc, but it's another way to separate work from home, so to speak. Or, another (possibly cheaper) option is to hire a babysitter to help you get some work hours in; that way he gets to socialize while you're working, but you can still leave work with work and your time with your son is just that.
That's the hardest part about working from home... work IS home. It can be very difficult to separate the two. Finding your balance seems harder with that than with anything else.
How old is your son, by the way? Depending on his age, maybe we can come up with other solutions.
@sunshine4 (8703)
• United States
23 Jan 09
My kids are a little older, so they realize that there are times I have to work and they have to do something on their own. If they don't keep bothering me, I can get my work done quicker and then we can do stuff together. They realize that we need the income I make, so it isn't a big deal.
When they were younger, I would work late in the evening or during nap times. This way I didn't take any quality time away from them.
@explorations (1712)
• United States
23 Jan 09
I go through this all the time and, in each instance, it continues to challenge me. I've learned over the years that my kids are always going to be part of my life, but they're not always going to be "young." Their "little people" years are so fleeting that I don't want to miss a thing. However, responsibilities loom and sacrifices must be made . . . including the time I have with my children. Luckily, we have visitations set up so they're away with their other parents on the weekends. I bulk up the majority of my work, when I can, on the weekends so I can be available more often when they're home. It doesn't always work, but I'll continue to try!
@peedielyn (1207)
• United States
24 Jan 09
I am lucky to not have a schedule like that. My advise to you is to do what you can when you have the time. If he is there when you have a break, take advantage of it. If you have to work when he is there, try to include him or take small breakd for the quality time. I work while the kids are in school or playing with the other kids. I try to make time for the kids as best as I can.
@bookreadermom08 (5614)
• United States
24 Jan 09
this is something that concerns me as well... since it has only been two weeks that I have started this "trying to make extra money while I am home" I was thinking about this exact thing this morning, how am I going to fit it in my schedule, and with my son in school and of course the house still needs to be picked up and I have a one yr old.... ugh!!! it can make ya crazy...LOL
I figure since I am just starting, and my computer is in my living room--I am always right next to my kids no matter what time I am online... so I can always get up and do whatever for them... until I work something out...and hopefully find a routine that fits.
@tracie1758 (507)
• United States
23 Jan 09
I love sitting at home playing with my kid. Unfortunatly while I'm here at home I need to try and make some sort of money as well. Usually I can get bursts of work done while she is napping or content playing with her toys for a bit. I still get plenty of time with her though which is my main goal :)
