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#97179 - 05/03/08 01:08 PM
Working From Home With Children Present
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Linda Andrews CMT
Moderator-Andrews School
Registered: 12/31/69
Posts: 5006
Loc: Oklahoma City, OK US
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We discussed this back in 2003. The times and the economy in particular have changed. Maybe it's time to revisit this topic.
From the 2003 thread, I wrote:
Anybody want to approach this subject? I know that many potential Andrews students would like to have your opinion - the TRUTH - not what you think Linda Andrews would want you to say. There are some serious challenges. Would you please address those. Thanks!
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#97188 - 05/03/08 04:23 PM
Re: Working From Home With Children Present
[Re: Linda Andrews CMT]
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Badfinger
Member
Registered: 11/07/07
Posts: 439
Loc: Grand Prairie, TX
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I kept my sister's baby when my sister went back to work. I have a nice-sized office that fit one of those portable beds for the baby. I also have a TV and DVD player. It was a challenge, but with a combination of Schoolhouse Rock on DVD and several breaks during the day, I was able to make it work. I had to finally give her up when she started standing up because she didn't want to be cramped in the portabed anymore and would scream until I'd finally let her out for some freedom. Then all she wanted to do was sit in my lap and play with my keyboard. I also kept my nephew for about 2 years after my sister went back to work, and he eventually learned out to escape from my office while I was working. It was pretty touch at times. I kept my own daughter for about a year or two before she started kindergarten and she would get into stuff while I was working which became a big headache. All I can say now after watching 3 children during my at-home career is that I like it better WITHOUT the kids here.
_________________________
I've got something to say . . . . it's better to burn out than fade away.
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#97189 - 05/03/08 04:37 PM
Re: Working From Home With Children Present
[Re: Badfinger]
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BlankKeys
Member
Registered: 04/09/08
Posts: 618
Loc: New York
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I've been working at home since my son (now 15) was in kindergarten and my daughter (now 10) was an infant. They're pretty used to seeing Mom at the computer and both say they'd rather have me at home that working somewhere else. They adapted to my work schedule pretty well - but I've only ever done it part time. Now I have jobs that take me out of the house for a couple of days a week while they're at school and I have to do my transcribing when they're home. With their activities and homework questions, sometimes it can get a little tough to transcribe without interruption. It's definitely easier to do MT without anyone in the house, however I understand that the reason a lot of people get into it is to be able to be home with their kids. Bottom line - it CAN be done, but go into it with the understanding that it won't always be easy. You really have to be disciplined enough to plan your time well and keep yourself on track.
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#97191 - 05/03/08 05:11 PM
Re: Working From Home With Children Present
[Re: BlankKeys]
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Badfinger
Member
Registered: 11/07/07
Posts: 439
Loc: Grand Prairie, TX
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Ditto!! Discipline is a must.
_________________________
I've got something to say . . . . it's better to burn out than fade away.
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#97193 - 05/03/08 06:38 PM
Re: Working From Home With Children Present
[Re: Badfinger]
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kiwimom
Member
Registered: 09/05/06
Posts: 670
Loc: Medina, Ohio
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I am SO much more productive when I'm home alone (with the exception of our new puppy). When my family is home and I try to work, there are interruptions; if there are no interruptions, then there are the sounds of voices or the TV, either of which can be distracting. I'm not saying it can't be done; it's just more *challenging* to concentrate and "get in the groove," so to speak. It also depends on where you have your office set up (I would suggest away from the family room!!). 
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#97198 - 05/04/08 12:46 AM
Re: Working From Home With Children Present
[Re: kiwimom]
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Redpen
Member
Registered: 12/31/69
Posts: 932
Loc: Virtual Oklahoma!
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Here's a question . . . out of every hour that you spend "working" while keeping an eye on kids, how much will you lose in productivity?
I'm thinking that it's about 50%. If you're working 8 hour days, you may be keeping one eye on the kids to the tune of about 15 minutes an hour--in little bits, of course--and the effect of it is going to cut your productivity in half.
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Redpen
(The Andrews School)
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#97327 - 05/06/08 09:20 AM
Re: Working From Home With Children Present
[Re: Redpen]
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baldymom
Member
Registered: 02/26/04
Posts: 632
Loc: Hampton Roads - Va
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Oh my RedPen! You have hit the nail on the head there. Some days are better than others. My goal is to work for 5 hours a day. I mean work. Not just sit in front of the computer thinking I'm working.
So, I use the timer. I set it for 1 hour at a time. Each time I'm interrupted, I stop the timer, care for whatever "emergency" they have, and then come back. Sometimes I stop. Sometimes I tell them they can handle that situation on their own and they need to let me work right now. There are certain times of the day I try to work. Before they are up. A few before lunch. A few before school pick up. Some days I don't make it and have to make up whatever I'm lacking after they go to bed.
Yesterday was the worst ever. I started at 6 am and didn't get in 5 solid work hours until 10:30 pm. Some days I can be done by 3 pm. If I had to work 8 full hours and did not have the above flexibility with my position, they'd be in daycare! I could never do it.
In the fall they will all be in school at least until lunch. I'll get 3 blissful hours of uninterupted work time. I'm expecting great things in the productivity department!! 
_________________________
What would you do with a brain if you had one? -- Dorothy -- Wizard of Oz
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#97455 - 05/07/08 11:00 PM
Re: Working From Home With Children Present
[Re: baldymom]
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inkyfingers2
Member
Registered: 03/25/03
Posts: 604
Loc: southern California
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I agree with the above. I probably lose about 30% or more of my productivity when my daughter is home (she's 14), but more if you count having to leave to pick her up from school, or take her to school, et cetera. I'm sure if I were not divorced and there was a hubby around the place, it would be even higher. But then I wouldn't be under the same economic constraints to produce!! if I were married. 
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inkyfingers
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#97484 - 05/08/08 12:26 PM
Re: Working From Home With Children Present
[Re: inkyfingers2]
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jadajakebsmom
Junior Member
Registered: 04/14/07
Posts: 48
Loc: phillipsburg, missouri
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It is difficult to work at home w/kids but it can be done. I have a 6-y.o. daughter and a 3-y.o. son. My daughter is in school, but I have to take her in the morning, she rides the bus at night. My kids are good about knowing to talk quietly or play quietly while I'm working. I try to get my work done by 12-1 PM, but I have to start at 5-6 AM, depending on the load for the day. The more I get done before they wake up, the better the day is going to be. If the kids are in the computer room w/me, one is usually on my leg which is propped up, and one is draped around my shoulders playing beauty shop. They bring blankets in and make a tent around me and play under the desk, knowing not to touch my foot pedal. My desk right now is being used to play w/Thomas the Train. If I have a new or difficult dictator then I make them go to the other room, but most of my dictators are repeats and not horribly difficult.
It's just important to us that the kids be w/us, not a babysitter. I can kiss them any time during the day. I am here to feed them, wipe a back side when needed, help put Barbie shoes on, whatever--and that's important to me, that's my job as the mom, and that's the best I can do for them. I have been there for all milestones. I went to a babysitter and my mom missed some of my milestones, I'm not going to do that w/my kids. Do I make a huge amount of money, no, but about $20,000+ to sit at home AND be a full time mom is worth it to me. I will make more money when they are both in school. Well, just wanted to add a glimpse of my world typing at home w/kids. Hope everyone is having a great Thursday.
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Moderator: Linda Andrews CMT
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