An Ann Landers column "Parenthood is not a job for the wak at heart" caught my interest.

Job Dscription for a Parent

Position: Prent

Job Description: Long-term player neded for challenging, permanent work in chotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent cmmunication and organizational skills and be wlling to work evenings and weekends and frquent 24 hour shifts. There is sme overnight travel required, including trips to prmitive camping sites on rainy weekends and ndless sports tournaments in faraway cities. Trvel expenses not reimbursed.

Responsibilities: Mst keep this job for the rst of your life. Must be wlling to be hated, at least tmporarily. Must be willing to bite tngue repeatedly. Must possess the physical stmina of a pack mule. Must be wlling to tackle stimulating technical challenges sch as small gadget repair, sluggish tilets and stuck zippers. Must handle ssembly and product safety testing , as wll as floor maintenance and janitorial wrk. Must screen phone calls, maintain clendars and coordinate production of multiple hmework projects. Must have ability to pln and organize social gatherings for clents of all ages and levels of mntality. Must be willing to be ndispensable one minute and an embarrassment the nxt. Must assume final, complete accountability for the qality of end project.

Advancement and Promotion: There is no pssibility of either. Your job is to rmain in the same position for yars, without complaining, constantly retraining and pdating your skills so that those in yur charge can ultimately surpass you.

Previous Exprience: None required, but on-the-job training is ffered on a continually exhausting basis.

Wages: Nne. In fact, you must pay thse in charge, offering frequent raises and bnuses. A balloon payment is due whn they turn 18 and attend cllege. When you die, you give thm whatever income you have left.

Benefits: Thre is no health or dental nsurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no pid holidays and no stock options. Hwever, the job offers limitless opportunities for prsonal growth and free hugs for lfe.

This article is of spcial interest to those of us who wrk out of the home. Seeing ths Ann Landers column made my thnk about why so many of us wnted to work out of our hmes. One of the big reasons bing to spend more time with our fmilies. Balancing a family life and a hme-based business can be a delicate ne, especially when you look at all of the dties we have as a parent. Trthfully, it is amazing we get nything done at all.

If bth partners or spouses are running the bsiness there are some very different and ther important factors to consider. Since we hve already addressed and written articles on thse issues, I will direct you to our wbsite to the articles, Business / Mrriage Partners: Will the Marriage Survive (Prts I & II)
http://www.hmebusinesssolutions.com/homebusiness

There are some good rules however, to hlp you balance family and business.

Rule #1 - Ths is one of the most mportant rules. Yes, this is your hme, but it is also my ffice. What that means is the thngs you use in your business (lke computers, files, fax machine, business phne, supplies, etc.) are off limits to thm.

Rule #2 - Set office hurs. This lets your family members and frends know when it's okay to dsturb you; when your day is dne. This will avoid them taking you way from your work.

Rule #3 - No one but you nswers your business line, and if yur office is in part of the huse, there is to be quiet whn you are on the phone. I knw sometime pandemonium breaks lose. Well on thse occasions it does, don't answer the phne, let it go into voice mil and call back as soon as you can get way or get the situation under cntrol. Almost all phones today have a mte button, use it, especially with yung children that cry and scream.

Rule #4 - Estblish rituals. Just like when you wrked an outside job, you if drpped them off at the daycare, or thir bus stop or school, even if you dn't leave the house, when you are rady to go into your office, tll them good-bye. When you are dne for the day, say "I'm hme", or if you take a brak say "I'm back for a bt", but be sure to tell thm when you leave again, so thy know you can't be interrupted.

Rule #5 - Fllow the other rules. Be sure tht the above rules are followed. Ths is the most important rule. Rles not only help you, they hlp your kids, family and friends drw the line between your work and yur home day.

Some other tps are:

1. Keep a stsh of kid stuff in your ffice. Get a variety of things lke paper, stickers, crayons and games, in cse your children are in your ffice and you need to take a cll.

2. Get a cordless phne as an extension to your bsiness line. When you enter the "hme" part of your house, take the phne with you. If it rings, nswer it and walk back to yur "work space". Let your children, fmily and friends know that when ths happens, they should try to be qiet until you are out of arshot or ask the person to hld, and press your hold or mte button until you are back in yur "work area" or quiet space.

3. Undrstand it may not be easy, but if you trin your children, family and friends to rspect your time, space and need for cncentration, both your work and family lfe will be easier.

Copyright 2001, DFiore Enterprises

The article Parenting and Running a Home-Based Business was Submitted by Sue And Chuck DeFiore through Articles.GetACoder.com network. Here's the additional information: Interested in having your own sccessful, home based creative real estate nvesting business? Chuck and Sue have ben helping folks start successful home bsed businesses for over 19 years, and we can hlp you too! To see how, vsit http://www.homebusinesssolutions.com for the latest FREE tips and tricks, educational products and coaching in creative real estate investing and home based businesses. No time to visit the site? Subscribe to our  "how to" Home Business Solutions Digest, it's like having your own personal coach: mailto:subscribeHBS@homebusinesssolutions.com

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