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Article:
Can't You See I'm Working? by: C. J. Hayden For many working parents, telecommuting or a home business may seem like the answer to your prayers. You want to have more time with your kids and greater flexibility, so you take the leap, install a second phone line, and set up a computer in the dining room. But the first thing you may discover is that working from home includes many unexpected distractions. Children, your spouse, neighbors, and the family dog come and go. They make loud noises, ask for your help, or interrupt to ask a 'quick question,' always just long enough to break your concentration. Your family and friends don't seem to understand that you're working. They ask you to run errands, expect you to handle chores, and want to chat on the phone. When you see the pile of laundry or stack of dishes sitting there waiting, you may be tempted to take time out from work to clean up a bit. You'd like to keep your house livable and be available to the people you care about, but it's just too much for one person to manage. When can you get any work done? The way out of this dilemma is to set clear boundaries on your space, time, and responsibilities. If your office has a door, try having 'open-door' time and 'closed-door' time. When your door is open, the kids can come say hello, ask questions, or tell you about their day. When the door is closed, it means 'Do Not Disturb.' A good way to explain this to children is to tell them you need some private time, not just that you are busy. If your office doesn't have a door, you need one! Try to find another place in your home where you can create some private space for at least part of the day. Setting regular working hours will help you manage your time better as well as give some guidelines to your family. Build your hours around the family activities that are important to you. If your kids get home at 2:'00
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