Whether you’re a mum who has decided to put her career on hold to spend as much time with the children or want to strengthen the household wages, moms working online from home can be one of your best alternatives to bring in another wage. Setting up a home office sends the idea that you are committed to the family and your career. But as good as it is to make you both professionally and domestically functional, working online from home can present some hairy moments. What are you supposed to choose between a yelling kid and an assignment is nearing its’ end? How are the kids expected to be when mommy’s busy working? And who is going to wash the pots? Moms working online from home are sometimes torn between work and household jobs. So, how do you sort out a plan of action?

Families are as distinct as the people that make them; therefore, raising a family and running the home can vary in style from family to family. But though that is the case, mums working online from home should follow general guidelines to allow productivity. Here are some helpful tips:

1. Discussing all options as a family can prove fruitful. It should be agreed upon by the husband and, in case they are all grown up, the kids. If your children are still at the baby stage or need close attention, decide if you are going to hire a baby helper, and if you are, identify if it is going to be a fulltime or a part-time caregiver. Most times, part-time sitters are more practical since you won’t work the whole day anyway.

2. Map out a plan as a family. It, of course, depends on your preference, family, and other duties. But whatever your choice is, make sure your children know it to lessen all interruptions. Setting definite working hours also gives your family the impression that they have a space in your schedule and that they can wait for their time rather than barge in your work area any time they want. Stick to your working plan always, unless of course pressing events merit your attention.

3. Decide if you are going to work behind closed doors. Having the door closed policy works better if you have a hired sitter. This allows you to work with little or no distractions and your carer to comfortably take responsibility without your constant inquiry and checking. Keeping an open door on the other hand, is advised if you don’t have a hired minder. With this policy, you can immediately check out how things are going with your family and the house. But since this can invite noise and distraction, you can shut the door whenever you need extra concentration and are talking on the phone.

4. Talk with the children, and the minder about the possible interruptions that you can and cannot reply to. Be as specific as possible and show firmness. Don’t go out of your home office at the sound of a whimper; instead let your minder do her job. If the children are grown up, tell them the kind of environment you need and how they can support you achieve it. Children just need to be talked to and constantly reminded.

5. Set out your expectations nice and clearly how the children are supposed to behave, the amount of household jobs you can do, the level of noise you can cope with, among other things. Then, set out a plan. If, for instance, your children are older, they should take responsibility for doing their own rooms. Or you can work far from the living or TV room. Moms working online and their families, at the start, need to make certain adjustments.