There are plenty of benefits to working from home, especially if you’re a parent. In most jobs where you’re the boss, you’ll be able to set your own schedule, which means you can build your work around the needs of your children.

How many parents would benefit from that! However, while these positions are often desired by those people who work in an office, not every aspect of working from home is stress-free.

Actually, some experts believe that working from home can be more stressful than a traditional office job. Below, we take a look at 4 incredibly useful tips for making sure it’s worth the hassle.

Tip #1 – Set a Schedule

Many people think that people work from home have it all their own way, because they can pick and choose when they work. This is one version of the truth.

The other is that, without a firm schedule, you’re forever playing catch up, or finding it difficult to get down to work. You’ll find everything much more straightforward if you set a schedule that works for you. It’ll keep your ‘working hours’ and ‘my time’ separate.

Without it, everything will become blurred, and you’ll be existing in that undefined space between work and leisure. No-one wants to be there!

Tip #2 – Take Care of Money Matters

Sure, you’re saving money on things like the cost of getting to and from work, and eat-out lunches and so on, but you’ll have your own costs to deal with. You’ll need to buy the infrastructure to do office work at home, for starters, which can include computers, desks, and ongoing costs.

For your computer, go for refurbished options: a new laptop would be nice, but not necessary if you’re on a budget. The same can be said for printers, and you can also use the cheapest place to buy hp ink cartridges so your printing costs don’t add up to more than you can manage.

You may also benefit from using accounting software, so you know where you’re spending money. Finances are complicated enough when you’re a parent, don’t make your home business add to the difficulties!

And if you are thinking about launching your own business and wondering where to find and how to get that initial funding, make sure to check out the video below. The answer may surprise you: That initial funding!? It’s in YOUR house!!!

 Tip #3 – Get Outside

To work at your best, and to be the best parent you can be, you need to be happy.

People who work from home can fall into mental health troubles for one simple reason: they don’t get outside enough. Everyone else is forced out of the door because they need to go to work. They might not like it, but it it is good for them.

If you’re working at your laptop at your house, force yourself to go for a walk in the morning. The sheer act of getting into the outdoors will boost your mood.

Tip #4 – Unplug Those Devices

Similarly, people working at home can find themselves spending too much time in front of a screen, which is not good for mental health. When the end of the working day comes, make sure to switch off those devices and unplug the internet.

You’ll remember why you’re putting in the effort when you’re having carefree fun with the family.

Conclusion

Thanks for taking the time reading this article. I hope you enjoyed it and it had some valuable information for you.

Now I would like to learn from YOU: What is your experience with working from home? Did it improve your live or did it make things harder?

I remember how sometimes working from home makes it harder to really go “off duty” and call it a day. Have you made similar experiences? Please share them with us in the comments below. Especially if you feel like we forgot something! If so, please let us know, too 🙂

Thanks,

Josh – Contributing Author