At some point in their lives, most people have thought about working from home. This is especially true for working moms, struggling to balance a job and a family. It sounds like the perfect arrangement – telecommuting from your home office. However, working from home has its drawbacks.
There are two main kinds of telecommuting jobs. The first is just like any other job, except you do it from your home office. It has set hours and deadlines. You must be at your desk at a certain time, whether you're wearing a suit or pyjamas.
The second type is more flexible. You can work whenever you want. If you're not a morning person, you can sleep until noon. You can schedule your work around your child's school.
The extra flexibility is great for working moms, but it also makes it harder to motivate yourself. It's tempting to procrastinate. There are many distractions in your home. Do you do your work or do you do the laundry? Do you sit down at your computer or do you watch daytime TV? Not everyone can be productive when there's no one watching over her shoulder?
It can be hard to draw a line between your job and your home life. Not everyone can afford a home office. Can you work from your kitchen table without getting distracted? It helps if you're not in pyjamas.
Working from home can save you a lot of time and money on commuting. It can also make it easier to balance work and family life. You can go to the bank during the day, or take your child to a doctor's appointment. However, because you have that flexibility, many people will assume that you don't do any work, or that your job is less important than if you were working in a traditional office. But if you can manage your time well and get the work done, working from home can be a great experience.