| So you've decided to work from home, but you | | | | loves sitting at her desk and "working" while I am |
| have one big problem....How do you juggle working | | | | working. She also has an easel in the office that |
| from home and taking care of your child at the | | | | has a magnetic board on one side with all |
| same time? At 16 months old my daughter is my | | | | different magnets. She loves playing with alphabet |
| executive assistant. Find out how you can make | | | | magnets. I also have a toybox with a lot of toys |
| your child into an executive assistant. | | | | that she can play with throughout the day. She |
| Crazy? | | | | loves that she has a space that is "her own" that |
| When you're working from home you learn how | | | | she can watch me and play alongside me while I |
| to set-up and organize your home office space. | | | | work. |
| One of the things that is essential to this office, if | | | | The Boss Needs a Break Too! |
| you have little ones at home, is a place for your | | | | So my office isn't the traditional office that you |
| child! I've read a lot of articles that talk about | | | | would find working in the "outside world", and I |
| making your home office a quiet space for you | | | | often trip over toys on my way to work, but it is |
| to go and work. I have a different perspective on | | | | the perfect office for a work at home mom. My |
| this. Instead of making your office a space that | | | | daughter is close to me all day long even if I am |
| your child shouldn't be in, why not give them a | | | | working. We even have a work schedule that we |
| place to work alongside of you? Crazy? Read on..... | | | | follow throughout the day. We take frequent |
| My Daughter's a Work at Home Mom! | | | | breaks to play. She knows when to expect |
| O.K. So you're asking, if I encourage my child to | | | | breaktime so she will be calmer in those times |
| play in the same room I'm working in, how am I | | | | that I am working. I find that having a schedule |
| going to get anything done? One of the ways | | | | that we follow really helps her to be happy |
| that your child learns as the grow up, is to | | | | throughout the day. Melody thrives on a schedule. |
| immitate the actions of those around them. | | | | She knows exactly what time lunch is even |
| Especially you! Have you ever really stopped to | | | | though she can't tell time. At 11:00 each day she |
| look at how your child plays on a day to day | | | | comes up to me and says Mommy, "eat eat." |
| basis? I was completely amazed to see what | | | | The schedule keeps her happy and ensures that I |
| Melody does while not under my direct | | | | spend a good amount of quality time with her |
| supervision. She's a work at home mom! Allright, | | | | each day and don't get caught up in my work. |
| so that's a bit of a stretch...but she parents her | | | | My Little Executive Assistant |
| stuffed animals, and "works" throughout the day. I | | | | It's really a win-win situation for the both of us. |
| was astonished to see how much she really | | | | Throughout the day I'll also give her little tasks to |
| imitates my actions. I took this knowledge and | | | | complete. Right now they are easy tasks such as |
| used it to develop a play space that she has | | | | putting the shapes back in her shape ball, or |
| come to love. | | | | working on completing a puzzle. As she gets older |
| The Executive Secretary is In! | | | | I will start adding crafts and other things that will |
| I gave Melody her own office within my home | | | | help her learn while playing in our office. She is my |
| office. My daughter loves working with me every | | | | little executive assistant. I realize that this may |
| day. I have set up a corner of my office that is | | | | not be a practical solution for everyone's house, |
| just for her. She's got her own little desk and | | | | but take the concept, and take a look at your |
| chair set up right next to mine. The desk is | | | | "office" to see if this might be something that you |
| packed with coloring books and crayons, puzzles | | | | can incorporate into your life. It is a huge help in |
| and books. She even has her own phone! Melody | | | | our house. |