1. They learn discipline. In order to balance my various roles---mom, wife, homemaker, writer, teacher---I have to be incredibly disciplined. I get up early to find quiet time for writing; I take time each weekday for exercise; I instill routines, schedules and habits so that our home life runs smoothly. My children are keen observers. They learn what I do; not what I say. As I show them discipline, as I show them my willingness to tackle difficult projects, they see the rewards and fruits of my labor. My daughters now make lists every day, outlining what chores and schoolwork they are going to accomplish; their priorities and goals: a skill they learned by watching me. They recognize the benefits of focused action: once their schoolwork and chores are done, they have the rest of the day free for their own pursuits.
2. They gain problem solving skills. My working from home means there are occassions when I'm not available to my children: such as when I'm on a phone call, or when I closet myself in the office to write. During these times, my children have learned how to negotiate sibling squabbles and how to find answers to their questions without my involvement. I also involve them in solving our problems. For example, I was frustrated by my children coming into the office when I was on the phone, even when the door was closed (as we live in an old house, the door didn't have a lock.) My children came up with the idea of putting a paper stoplight on the door. When the stoplight is on green, they can come in; when it's on yellow, they have to knock first; when it's on red, it means I'm on the phone, and unless someone is bleeding or the house is burning down, they know I'm not to be disturbed.
3. They're empowered to meet their own needs. Because I work from home, there is an expectation that everyone pitches in and contributes to household chores. There's also an expectation to meet one's own needs. When my eldest three children are hungry, they fix themselves a snack. When my 11 year old daughter needs a clean leotard for dance class, she washes it herself. They all put away their own laundry; they all help fold clothes, clean and assist with meal preparation. By being active participants in the running of our family home, they're gaining life skills as well as confidence: the self esteem that comes with mastery and capability.
4. They grow their own entrepreneurial spirit. Too often, we present our children with one or two models of success. The most popular version goes like this: go to school, get good grades, go to college, get a degree, get a job, work your way up the corporate ladder, retire. But while that pathway has merit, there are other viable alternatives. Being an entrepreneur is literally creating something out of nothing. My children see this, and it sparks their own drive to create. Last spring, my daughters spent several weekends earning money in their yard clean-up business. They've offered their services as pet sitters; they've baked goods to sell at farmer's markets. They regularly think about ways to earn extra money and expand their financial resources.
5. My children see the correlation between hard work and success. Because my children are at home with me---in effect, my co-workers---they have a unique perspective of my life. My children know what I do all day: they see me paying bills, making phone calls; writing and marketing myself. I often take the time to explain to my children why I'm doing something, so that they can see the link between focused, concentrated effort and success. When I got my first national radio interview last year, I used the opportunity to explain the many steps I undertook to achieve this accomplishment. These lessons translate into their own lives, showing them how they can manifest their dreams.
6. It empowers their courage. As a self-employed person, I push myself and the familiarity of my comfort zones on a daily basis. Likewise, I push my children out of their comfort zones. When my daughter was feeling discouraged by the challenging song she chose for her guitar recital, I reminded her of times when she had witnessed my discouragement; how I had to overcome my fears. Bolstered, she tackled the song with renewed vigor.
7. They grow their financial literacy. My children have learned how debt works, how to budget, the magic of compound interest (I love my daughter's comment---"It's like a money tree!"), how to be a wise consumer, tithing, the importance of savings, and investing. They watch me make cash flow spreadsheets and plan for company spending. They see how I scout for the best price when making purchases; they witness my habit of waiting to pay cash until I buy something, rather than incurring credit card debt. I show them where and how I use my money to help others. These are just some of the ways my children are getting a financial education; one they will use throughout their entire lives.
8. They gain maturity. We live in a small town, within walking distance to the library, post office, and music and dance studios. Unless the weather is really terrible, my two girls walk or ride their bikes to guitar lessons, dance class, and to the library's knitting club. While my working from home could mean that I am more available to drive them places, I choose to foster their independence (while maintaining their safety.)
9. They learn the importance of goals: finding their "Big Rocks" as well as boundary setting. My business serves my life; not the other way around. This often means saying no to requests, honing my focus, and prioritizing my goals. I set boundaries on what I am, and am not, willing to do. My children are learning how to set boundaries, too. They're learning that they don't have to say yes to every request; how to balance their needs with other's. I admit to feeling startled the first time I asked my daughter for help with something and she said, "Mom, I'm not willing to do that." (I had told her she could say yes, or no: that she wasn't obligated to help in this circumstance.) But I admired her courage and her honesty. This reminds me of a time when she was invited to help the little girls at her ballet school twice a week. While she knew it would be fun, she felt overwhelmed by adding one more activity to her already full plate. She graciously declined, and felt so proud of herself for setting her priorities.
10. They get one on one time with Mom and Dad. Working from home increases both my autonomy as well as my flexibility. I deliberately carve out several hours of my day for time with my children. I have a regular practice of taking my children to tea at a local coffeehouse for Mommy dates. I can do this because I'm usually up before 5 a.m., tackling my most important work tasks before 11 a.m. I also sometimes take a day off during the week to do fun things, like visit the neighboring town's huge library. My husband is also self employed, so he arranges his schedule so that he can have lunch dates with our children, as well.
As a parent, life is full of teachable moments. As a parent who works from home, these teachable moments only multiply. If you're thinking of working from home, weigh your options. Look at the pros and cons. But use this list to remind yourself that the benefits go way beyond an extra paycheck, or flexible time: they form the tenor of everyday life.
Many people mistakenly view working from home as a financial choice. While financial reasons certainly play a part in the decision, I tender that it's primarily a lifestyle choice. I'm a homeschooling mom of four who works from home. I do this not only for financial gain, and professional development; I also work from home for my children's development.
I liken being self-employed or an entrepreneur to being in school: you are constantly learning new things. The classroom is life itself; the focus, your growth. If you work from home, this education also extends to your children. Have you ever considered the positive lessons your children gain by your working from home?
I have. I see how working from home has increased my children's confidence, creativity and independence. They've learned about finance, marketing, and self discipline. Here are ten lessons that children gain from having a work at home parent:
1. They learn discipline. In order to balance my various roles---mom, wife, homemaker, writer, teacher---I have to be incredibly disciplined. I get up early to find quiet time for writing; I take time each weekday for exercise; I instill routines, schedules and habits so that our home life runs smoothly. My children are keen observers. They learn what I do; not what I say. As I show them discipline, as I show them my willingness to tackle difficult projects, they see the rewards and fruits of my labor. My daughters now make lists every day, outlining what chores and schoolwork they are going to accomplish; their priorities and goals: a skill they learned by watching me. They recognize the benefits of focused action: once their schoolwork and chores are done, they have the rest of the day free for their own pursuits.
2. They gain problem solving skills. My working from home means there are occassions when I'm not available to my children: such as when I'm on a phone call, or when I closet myself in the office to write. During these times, my children have learned how to negotiate sibling squabbles and how to find answers to their questions without my involvement. I also involve them in solving our problems. For example, I was frustrated by my children coming into the office when I was on the phone, even when the door was closed (as we live in an old house, the door didn't have a lock.) My children came up with the idea of putting a paper stoplight on the door. When the stoplight is on green, they can come in; when it's on yellow, they have to knock first; when it's on red, it means I'm on the phone, and unless someone is bleeding or the house is burning down, they know I'm not to be disturbed.
3. They're empowered to meet their own needs. Because I work from home, there is an expectation that everyone pitches in and contributes to household chores. There's also an expectation to meet one's own needs. When my eldest three children are hungry, they fix themselves a snack. When my 11 year old daughter needs a clean leotard for dance class, she washes it herself. They all put away their own laundry; they all help fold clothes, clean and assist with meal preparation. By being active participants in the running of our family home, they're gaining life skills as well as confidence: the self esteem that comes with mastery and capability.
4. They grow their own entrepreneurial spirit. Too often, we present our children with one or two models of success. The most popular version goes like this: go to school, get good grades, go to college, get a degree, get a job, work your way up the corporate ladder, retire. But while that pathway has merit, there are other viable alternatives. Being an entrepreneur is literally creating something out of nothing. My children see this, and it sparks their own drive to create. Last spring, my daughters spent several weekends earning money in their yard clean-up business. They've offered their services as pet sitters; they've baked goods to sell at farmer's markets. They regularly think about ways to earn extra money and expand their financial resources.
5. My children see the correlation between hard work and success. Because my children are at home with me---in effect, my co-workers---they have a unique perspective of my life. My children know what I do all day: they see me paying bills, making phone calls; writing and marketing myself. I often take the time to explain to my children why I'm doing something, so that they can see the link between focused, concentrated effort and success. When I got my first national radio interview last year, I used the opportunity to explain the many steps I undertook to achieve this accomplishment. These lessons translate into their own lives, showing them how they can manifest their dreams.
6. It empowers their courage. As a self-employed person, I push myself and the familiarity of my comfort zones on a daily basis. Likewise, I push my children out of their comfort zones. When my daughter was feeling discouraged by the challenging song she chose for her guitar recital, I reminded her of times when she had witnessed my discouragement; how I had to overcome my fears. Bolstered, she tackled the song with renewed vigor.
7. They grow their financial literacy. My children have learned how debt works, how to budget, the magic of compound interest (I love my daughter's comment---"It's like a money tree!"), how to be a wise consumer, tithing, the importance of savings, and investing. They watch me make cash flow spreadsheets and plan for company spending. They see how I scout for the best price when making purchases; they witness my habit of waiting to pay cash until I buy something, rather than incurring credit card debt. I show them where and how I use my money to help others. These are just some of the ways my children are getting a financial education; one they will use throughout their entire lives.
8. They gain maturity. We live in a small town, within walking distance to the library, post office, and music and dance studios. Unless the weather is really terrible, my two girls walk or ride their bikes to guitar lessons, dance class, and to the library's knitting club. While my working from home could mean that I am more available to drive them places, I choose to foster their independence (while maintaining their safety.)
9. They learn the importance of goals: finding their "Big Rocks" as well as boundary setting. My business serves my life; not the other way around. This often means saying no to requests, honing my focus, and prioritizing my goals. I set boundaries on what I am, and am not, willing to do. My children are learning how to set boundaries, too. They're learning that they don't have to say yes to every request; how to balance their needs with other's. I admit to feeling startled the first time I asked my daughter for help with something and she said, "Mom, I'm not willing to do that." (I had told her she could say yes, or no: that she wasn't obligated to help in this circumstance.) But I admired her courage and her honesty. This reminds me of a time when she was invited to help the little girls at her ballet school twice a week. While she knew it would be fun, she felt overwhelmed by adding one more activity to her already full plate. She graciously declined, and felt so proud of herself for setting her priorities.
10. They get one on one time with Mom and Dad. Working from home increases both my autonomy as well as my flexibility. I deliberately carve out several hours of my day for time with my children. I have a regular practice of taking my children to tea at a local coffeehouse for Mommy dates. I can do this because I'm usually up before 5 a.m., tackling my most important work tasks before 11 a.m. I also sometimes take a day off during the week to do fun things, like visit the neighboring town's huge library. My husband is also self employed, so he arranges his schedule so that he can have lunch dates with our children, as well.
As a parent, life is full of teachable moments. As a parent who works from home, these teachable moments only multiply. If you're thinking of working from home, weigh your options. Look at the pros and cons. But use this list to remind yourself that the benefits go way beyond an extra paycheck, or flexible time: they form the tenor of everyday life.