If you are a successful WAHM, trying to find a way to take care of young children and run a growing business can be stressful. Knowing when to call in reinforcements is essential. A babysitter, a nanny, a mother's helper, even daycare can help you keep your sanity.
You're a WAHM and your business is BOOMING. Congratulations! Isn't it such an amazing feeling to get this far -- work keeps coming in, your clients are thrilled, you love what you're doing and you're making money while doing it. Life is perfect, isn't it?
For those of us with young children at home, being a successful WAHM can be the most thrilling and the most frustrating experience simultaneously. If your kids aren't in school yet, you may be working in between play dates, late at night, early in the morning, or during your child's sporadic naptime (which never happens when you need it to, especially if you scheduled a call or other work at the "usual" naptime). That makes for a very stressful environment.
It's Time to Call in Reinforcements
I know what it's like to be stressed out trying to juggle a home-based business and a family; I run a work-from-home business with a 20-month old and 8-month old basically in my lap. And they are -- in my lap -- at the most inopportune times.
Here are some signs that you may be ready to enlist help:
You're falling behind in your work.
You're turning away work you'd love to do simply because you have way too much on your plate.
You're spending less and less quality time with your family because there is always more work to be done.
Your kids are spending a lot of time in front of the TV.
You're tired, stressed and irritable because you never seem to get enough sleep.
If any of these situations sound familiar to you, it may be time to start making some calls.
A Babysitter, A Nanny, A Mother's Helper...Oh My
There are so many childcare options available for WAHM's. You can hire a babysitter, a nanny or a mother's helper. You can get help from a grandparent or family member. You can send your children to daycare for a couple days a week. So how do you decide what's best for you? Here are some factors you need to consider:
Finances: Some options are more costly than others. Determine how much help you need and how much you have available in your budget. This will guide you in choosing an option that will work for you.
Location: Do you want your children to be taken care of in your home while you work, or would it be better to get them out of the house?
Amount of Time and Timing: Are you looking for help on set days and times each week or do you want something more flexible?
Where to Find Candidates
Once you decide the type of help you want, you need to begin to get the word out. Here are some places you can begin your search:
Local newspaper
Friends
Clubs, religious organizations or other groups you belong to
Neighbors
Another helpful place to start your search is the Internet. There are so many resources available online that can help you locate the help you are looking for. Here are some Web sites you may want to explore:
Whichever route you go, get the help you need. It will give you valuable time to focus on your business, give your kids some interaction and keep you sane in the process.
Alyssa Gregory owns avertua, LLC, a virtual assistant firm providing general business support, design services, and virtual assistant coaching and mentoring. She is also the author of "VA Secrets Revealed! An Insider's Guide to Being a Successful Virtual Assistant." She lives in New Jersey with her husband and two children.
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