School Vacation Time - AHHHHHHHHHHH!

Hi BusiMomsTM,

If you are like me, you now have kids home from school for the summer. Or you will soon. Summer can be a busy time.

Today is the first day that I have both kids home at the same time for a regular extended period. It is difficult to work and have children around all the time, who think you are here to service their every need. Well, to some extent, I am. Both of my kids are under the age of 4. Much to their credit they are self-sufficient when it is not a good time for me or they are getting into something they shouldn't be getting into. Then there are the times that I'm doing 12 things at once and they need me to take their shoes off. (They are both capable of doing this on their own.)

I wish I had a magic formula for dealing with kids and business at home but, I don't. Below are some suggestions for older kids. I did not create these. Dr. Patty Ann, the relationship expert on www.metromom.com wrote them. Plus, the last idea is from Debbye Cannon, the business mom mentor www.businessmommentor.com

"1. Set boundaries and realistic expectations for both yourself and your children. Children at 9 & 7 years old do not really "understand" that your work is important to you , they only "know" that your work is important to you. Big difference. Therefore, set boundaries and expectations for their behavior that accurately reflects this situation. Take all requests for food, drinks, bathroom breaks, etc. before going to work.

2. Use Humour. Let them know prior to a scheduled call that you are about to get on a call where national security is at stake and any interruptions will risk our nations security -or something that comes across as very funny to them but helps get the point across that you really cannot be interrupted. Humour allows you to reach your goal of uninterrupted time via a more easily heard manner than some ominous threat. Kids will probably think the humour you use is corny, but they will get the message.

3. Be creative. For example, you might have a bag of treats, surprise toys, etc., outside your door with the hope of stopping them dead in their tracks on their way into your office.

4. Finally, and I can hear all the other so-called experts screaming "No"! at this , but I live in the real world - use BRIBES. That's right, bribery works with kids, just like flattery works with women (and don't deny this girls). Desperate times call for desperate measures so use bribery accordingly.

5. A final thought - kids might find it a little confusing that "work" is at "home" for mom; especially if daddy "goes" to work. You might want to get their impression [on] this discrepancy. Just a thought."

And from Debbye Cannon: "Last week I was working w/ a Private Client in the U.K. who has a 6 yr old son. Same sort of thing with interruptions. We had him make a two sided "stop and go" sign, laminated and hung on her door as a signal lite."

My office is upstairs and I've told my kids that if they want something they have to come upstairs to ask, they can't just yell at me from the bottom of the stairs. Many times, it's not important enough for them to walk up so that has been helping.

I hope some or one of these suggestions might work for you. PLEASE send any other suggestions, tricks or tips that have worked for you and I'll post them on our website!

Happy Monday and I hope you have a successful week. Good luck if you have kids home!

Cheers,
Lorin
www.epmassociation.org