No….I am not mad at my friend (Dana) – because she’s a school teacher.
A SCHOOL TEACHER.
Now I could….go on and on about how she gets summers off, holidays off, short work days, benefits….blah blah blah.
BUT – if I do that….I bet I’d get hate mail from lots of school teachers that profess to me the long hours, snippy parents, absent parents, bratty kids, snotty sick kids, late hours grading papers and planning, volunteering to
run after school programs and activities, school events…..and on and on and on.

I get it.
I do. I get it.
My kids, of course – perfect.
They never cause their teachers issues….so I don’t contribute to their woes.

But just like moms that work outside the home – working at home is TOUGH. I’m not crying in my 5th cup of coffee here – I’m just being honest. And after 9 years of doing this – I think I can make a comment. I think I can offer up some insight. (Whether you want it or not!) And you’d think my friend (Dana), would have listened to all my bitching over the years to conclude that working at home is NOT easy. Pick your ears instead of your nose Dana! I say that with LOVE. Really….I do. I will stand in front of your house in Iowa with a boom box over my head that plays, “In Your Eyes” and yell…“I love you Dana!!” if you need me to!

Working at home comes with a special array of issues and frustrations. First of all….you’ve got friends that don’t believe you’re “really” working. They think you’re playing office or some weird crap. Like we used to play cash register girl when we were little! I don’t sit here with post-it notes, a calculator and a phone  pretending to work.
Hell no.
I am WORKING.
I’m not playing online mahjong, I’m not staring at Facebook playing Farmville or taking quizzes, I’m not Twittering that I’m on Facebook playing Farmville, I’m not making cutsie little web cam videos, I’m not talking on the phone with girlfriends, my husband or my Mom.
I am W O R K I N G.
I am writing, researching, dealing with advertisers, studying SEO, implementing SEO, maintaining and updating nine websites, bookkeeping….blah blah blah….
On top of that…for years I had kids under my feet while I was doing it. While I was trying to learn HTML, SEO, and everything else. You have no idea the HELL that this is. You are torn, tired and teary.
But once your kids get in school….it almost gets worse. For one….you’re older….and you’re more tired. You’re dealing with your body and face not being so “perky” anymore. You can lose days of work just pondering how much older you’re going to look and how fast that is happening. DAYS!!!

Then there’s all the activities that school age kids are in. School events, homework, sports, dance, girl scouts, boy scouts….you find yourself in the car A LOT. The car has become my sanctuary at times. I read when I’m waiting. It’s the only time I really get to read something that I want to read. I poop at the speed of light…so bathroom reading time….ummm….not really a perk for me. I’m a “poop and run” person.

You also still have laundry, cleaning, cooking, pets, doctor visits…and all that other good stuff that all moms have to do.

Working at home means….never having a real solid block of time to get anything done. You multi-task EVERYTHING. You don’t get to “go to work” and focus on “work”. That just doesn’t happen. I don’t remember when I worked full time in radio anyone ever needing me to change their diaper or crying because someone
hit them in the face with a toy. Yes….we had our fair share of weirdos there….but really…no one crapped their
pants and asked for help. At least….they never asked me….because I would have gone on the air and told everyone about it.

Working at home has it’s pitfalls. Just like any other job. And I don’t get health insuarance or 401K. I don’t get PAID holidays….I don’t get summer’s off like SOME jobs. I do get the perk of flexibilty, not paying daycare and being here if my kids need me. That might just be worth more than health insurance or 401K. Yes…I think it is worth it – at least to me. (My kids will support me in my old age, right??)

It’s tit for tat.
It’s just not easy being a working mom. But thank God it’s women doing the working and momming for the most part. We are fabulous multi-taskers.

But it’s never easy. Not for any of us.
Well…..except for school teachers.

Just teasing (Dana).

Maybe I’m feeling off because after SIX more months of the house being on the market….it’s resulted in only two showings. Now I have the task of listing it myself  – something I really don’t want to do even though I have a real estate license. But….hey, I’m in control now and can market it like a demon!

Maybe I’m down because I know summer is coming to an end – even though FALL is my favorite month….I dread winters anymore. Not sure why….used to be a huge fan….now…not so much.

Maybe I just have so much work on my damn plate with keeping MoneyMakingMommy.com current, re-doing the MoneyMakingMommy.com forum, re-doing ScrappersAnonymous.com (that I just bought over the summer), my Avon business, my StampinUp business, TheWAHMConnection.com website, my weekly work at home newsletter….
I’m just feeling a little fried.

So today…I will just muddle through. Muddling is all I have to offer. And ya know what…..for us work at home moms….that’s ok on some days.

Do we wear sweatpants and t-shirts?? Yes…we do. But I’ll be damned if it’s going to be our stereotypical uniform.
I don’t always wear crappy stuff when I’m at home.
I DO put on some cover up and powder….some blush. Even mascara.
I DO brush my teeth and fix my hair.

For some reason all the moms and women that work “outside” the home – think us “stay at homes” just lounge around in some type of Garanimal matching sweatsuit get-up or baggy t-shirts and frumpy pants or something?? Or maybe we just stay in our PJs all day??? Hardly.

Just because we’re home doesn’t mean we don’t lunch with friends, exercise or know what the hell is going on in the world. We do. Thank you very much.

We get up…we exercise, we take showers, and put on make up and we love fashion just as much as the next person.
Sure…we are cleaning the house, doing laundry, fixing dinner, picking up kids and helping with homework – but we also look good doing it!!

So next time you decide to have a preconceived notion about what us “stay at home” moms *look* like….
You better look again. We could be that hot mom in the grocery store with the cute chunky Naot sandals, the Brighton handbag and oh so pretty JJill top and Chico cropped platinum jeans on. Ya never know!!

Not that it takes money and highfalutin labels for us “stay at home” supposed slobs to look chic. Hell, I can grab something at Target and look like a fashion plate. It is THAT easy.

It’s more the insinuation that we don’t care, or we have no life other than changing dirty diapers, folding clothes and baking cookies. WRONG.

We’re more than minivans and strollers. More than aging teenage drama queens from the 80’s wishing we back in the “day” of ‘Pretty in Pink’ and ‘The Breakfast Club’. I honestly believe…work at home moms and stay at home moms are the only glue keeping this friggin country together with some kind of decency and order to the mayhem. Some small semblance of tradition and integrity….of family and what’s important.

So before you go chocking all us “moms” that stay at home up as fat, bored losers that can’t even put together a decent outfit….you better think again….or you just might just get a swift kick is butt with a really cute pair of pumps just purchased at Ann Taylor.

I don’t know if a recession is the time for any of us moms, whether working at home or  staying home to raise our kids is a good time to be all willy-nilly about business and money.

With all do respect to the media out there – we moms aren’t stupid with our money. We aren’t stupid with our businesses either. Though many of us aspire to be successful with our own business, we also realize when to pull back and re-evaluate. We make tough choices every day. Budgets may only allow shoes for the kids….and not for mom. Or maybe there is the tough choice of school supplies or business supplies.  Dinner this week might be hot dogs, mac and cheese and peas instead of steaks and asparagus. We do this all day, every day. Constantly.

So even though the newspapers and nightly news might showcase successful work at home moms….it doesn’t mean anyone should throw caution to the wind and dump every last dime into a “dream”. Dreams are great….they are awesome – without them….we wouldn’t be this incredible country. Entrepreneurial spirit is the life blood here in the good ole USA. No one should dash anyone’s dreams.

BUT…..
Going it alone, starting a home business…..or your own business….it’s not easy. Typically….it’s not even fun. It’s more work and stress than you ever thought imaginable. And the cost?? ALWAYS MORE than you thought.

We moms know this. I guess that’s why there are so many of us running our own companies, home businesses….and
lets not forget, the most important job…staying home with our kids which takes a VERY smart woman that understands
budgets, routines and “being there”…..showing up EVERYDAY for our kids.

So yes….women are fantastic entrepreneurs. But we’re also wise enough to know when NOT to blow the family savings on a business when times are tough. Maybe not today, or tomorrow….but maybe 6 months from now – another chance to “look into” starting a business. In the meantime, we learn more, plan more, grow more…..becoming ever wiser. This in turn, is what makes us the successes in business that we eventually become.

So…I’m all for starting a home business. And maybe a recession is a great time to start certain types of business, or a great time for those that HAVE money to just plunk it down without a care and go for it (I love these really wealthy women that start these “mom” websites and act like they’re all hip on what it’s like to be a regular mom!! I’m sorry – I don’t mean any disrespect…but I think they’re just looking for a hobby or a way to get their little videos/web-isodes online – oh yes….that glorious 15 minutes of fame! LOL)…..but most of us are on shoestrings as it is. Dangling the “carrot” of gobs of money and fast success for all because one mom did it, isn’t real sound advice. It’s not even groovy advice. It’s a little bit reckless.

But that’s ok. As smart women….we already know better.

Author: Kelly Land lives in Weaverville, NC ( near Asheville ) with her husband, two kids, two cats and dog.  She owns the popular, award winning work at home website, www.MoneyMakingMommy.com. She loves writing, gardening, playing guitar and seeking out the “real” deal in life. Her blog:  www.HomeBasedBusinessMom.com.

“I am so friggin tired of nagging. If I don’t nag…nothing gets done around here.”

Hey ladies! Heard that line before? Sound familiar? Has something similar ever come from your lips?
You can act coy if you want. You can get all stiff shouldered and shake your head “no” as well.
I won’t believe you.
And I’ll tell you why.
If you’ve got a husband and kids….
You’ve said it. Or you will say it…eventually. I promise.

And I tell you why as well…
Your husband and kids are like super spies. Not even that….they are like little terrorists. They are actually
implementing their torture skills on you daily. They are MASTER game players.

You are naive to it at first. You’re a GOOD mom and a GOOD wife.
You pick things up….you vacuum and dust. You pick up wet towels and dirty clothes. You flush poopies that
didn’t get flushed by the POOPER. You fix meals. And not just frozen french fries and corn dogs. You fix GOOD meals.
Healthy meals. And guess what? You were the one that went to the store and bought the food. You made a list, spent an hour at the store, loaded up the car, brought it home, unloaded it and put it away….
You clean out the fridge.
You get the pets to the vet.
You get the kids to the doc and dentist.
And again….there’s more poopies to be flushed?? Didn’t you ask the POOPER nicely the last time to kindly flush?
And didn’t you ask someone to pick up their dirty clothes after their shower and bring them to the wash? I mean hey….when the clothes are being WASHED AND FOLDED AND PUT AWAY FOR YOU….can’t you at least get them to
washing machine once they’re dirty?
And could someone get the dog fresh water? Is that so hard?
And what about these granola bar wrappers and Popsicle sticks?? The trash can is RIGHT THERE??

And since when does it fall on MOM to change the furnace filter?
Call the mower repair guy?

See….see…
This is what I mean.
Little stinkin’ terrorists! Gamers.

They bring you to the brink with their quiet ways.
They leave little crumbs everywhere….it’s all part of a master plan to make you have a total spaze.
A few dishes left here and there….or just plopped in the sink…
Empty toilet paper roll sits unchanged.
One swig of lemonade left in the gallon pitcher in the fridge. WHY??? WHY???
The madness.

It starts to break you.
It festers in you.

And then….
Voila!
Certifiable MeltDown!

And you scream…
“I am so friggin tired of nagging. If I don’t nag…nothing gets done around here.”

Game Over.

Author: Kelly Land lives in Weaverville, NC ( near Asheville ) with her husband, two kids, two cats and dog.  She owns the popular, award winning work at home website, www.MoneyMakingMommy.com. She loves writing, gardening, playing guitar and seeking out the “real” deal in life – and then pushing her opinion (in a nice way) about it on others….hence, her blog www.HomeBasedBusinessMom.com.

—
Dreaming of starting you very own business?

So….today I’m going to surf the Net and find out what I can do for these pitful 40-something legs.

Hmmm….
Cellulite….basically – too bad so sad. All those cans of Pringles and Hershey chocolate bars with almonds have finally caught up with me. There is NOT much you can do about cellulite. NO…there are no spot treatments….creams….procedures….
Well…unless you have crap-tons of money and aren’t afraid of surgical procedures. Me? No way is some doctor going to ram-rod my thighs with a fat sucking wand. To me….GROSS. Horrific. And sadistic. NO thanks…..I’ll be one of the millions of 40-somethings with some cellulite on my legs.

Now…as far as the freak white legs….tanning can be helpful. And that goes a long way toward hiding the cellulite as well. At least that what the Mighty Internet tells me. To me…tan or not….cellulite is obvious. Don’t kid yourself. Be careful with the whole sun thing. It can age you faster than anything. I am a fanatic about sunscreen – I don’t leave my house EVER without sunscreen on my face. SPF 30 minimum.

So ok…as far as these pitiful legs….I can have little slits cut in them and  some tortoruos stainless steel fat sucking weapon jammed in them repeatedly. Leaving me with less “junk” but also sore, blue and purple – and maybe dead with a post-surgery blood clot. Wow – I’m thinking again….no no no on that option.

Tanning…yes, a little sun on my legs wouldn’t hurt. OK….I’ll put some SPF 15 on them and  give them a little color. BUT – I also go to the dermatologist at least once a year and have all my moles checked. You should too!

Now the veins….
Mom says they are hereditary. Some is caused from standing on concrete ( I did this in a factory for a few years to pay my way through college),  some are from sitting at a computer desk for long hours over the past 8-10 years. I should have exercised more – and ate less. Some are from pregnancy ( A small price to pay for a baby!).

You can have veins injected. I guess it dissolves the yucky veins – and they are no longer visible. Don’t ask me to get more in depth or technical than that…I’m not a doctor. But….I guess that is an option for those with the money and not afraid of needles. Both would be an obstacle for me.  And I don’t know….injecting weird solutions in my body to dissolve veins. That just sounds yucky.

So in the end….sitting here in the sun looking at my legs and remincising about the days when they were smooth, sleek, toned and young looking — they really aren’t that bad. I mean…these legs still work. They still get me from point A to point B. They aren’t the worst legs I’ve seen either. I tell myself….”Hey…there will always be someone with….. better legs…and someone with legs not as good as yours.” That’s the way it is about everything. There is comfort in that.

I make a promise to my little legs today. I will exercise you more….I will figure out how to use self tanner if I have to — but I will not neglect you anymore. IN 20 years….when I’m 62 – I want to look at my legs and think — “Hubba Hubba — lookin good for a Grandma!”

I know when I first started out and my kids were younger – I thought I would go bonkers.
I was trying squeeze work in during nap time and during their favorite shows like Barney and
Blues Clues.  Everything was left open-ended – nothing got completed in one sitting!

Then…when they were in bed….it would be back to work – because it was quiet. Of course…this
sets you up on  a vicious cycle of erratic sleep hours and being tired all the time. That’s not good for anyone. Trust me…I did it for so many years that I think it messed with my hormones. Be careful how much you try and avoid Mother Nature and your body. It can come back and bite you.

However – once you do figure out some kind of schedule – you’ll be rewarded with both your sanity and a sense of accomplishment.

My advice if you’re just starting out or still struggling with finding time to “work” – START SMALL.
I know that does n’t sound like great advice – especially when you’re trying to carve out a career for yourself. And makes even less sense when you’re trying to earn some kind of an income – but I promise – if you try and do too much in too little time, with too little rest – you’ll burn out. You’ll feel like crap and be the worst parent ever.  YOU WILL NOT GET IT ALL DONE TODAY AND IT’S OK. That is my mantra. To this very day – I tell myself that over and over.

Your family comes first.  A clean, organized house, healthy meals and time to play and relax….and SLEEP are more important than anything else. My Mom always says, “If you don’t have your health – you don’t have anything.” And she is right! If you’ve not experienced a health issue – it can bring your life and your family’s life to a screeching halt. That’s why I said earlier – do not mess with Mother Nature. Your body has natural rhythms. Don’t fight them.

Wind down in the evenings. Do this without staring at a computer or TV screen. The light they emit can disrupt your body’s ability to fall asleep. Take a hot bath after the kids are in bed, read a book….magazine….or even meditate for a few minutes. I used to roll my eyes at this type of advice. I just wanted to smack the person that would convey such useless blah blah. But then I decided to try it. Wish I had heeded the advice LONG ago.

Create a schedule during the day. If you’re getting to bed early enough – get up early….sneak in a cup of coffee and a little reading. I find that just casually glancing around at the morning paper can help me feel like I’m in touch with the world and it gives me ideas for stories, inspiration and of course – I love the Word Scamble!

Eat a healthy breakfast – and then work on that schedule. Having a routine for you and your kids will make it less stressful for all of you. Taking breaks – that are both fun and accomplish something can be helpful. For instance…lunch time is ALWAYS A TIME FOR ME AND MY KIDS.

Of course…not during school….but in the summer – we eat lunch together (as well as dinner, every night thoughout the year!). This is an opportunity not only for us to eat, but a chance to connect, relax….maybe sit outside in the sun, read together.

My kids are 14 (15 in two months) and 8. So yes, they are both in school now. That makes a world of difference. But just like today…..here I sit – with my laptop at the Madison County pool typing this article. My daughter is  swimming….she’s having a good time, learning – and I’m taking advantage of her “busy” time – by squeezing in a little work myself! That way tonight….when  it’s time to post  a new blog post — I’m not stressed. Here it is! My laptop has been one of the very best investments I’ve ever made. I don’t have an internet connection right now while I type this….but I can still get work accomplished! And hey…laptops can be nabbed for under $400!! SO worth it.

So don’t fret about your new (or not so new) work at home career. It doesn’t have to be chaos and pull your hair out madness. Setting up a routine and sticking to it will help set the wheels in motion for a happy home for work and family.

Author: Kelly Land lives in Weaverville, NC ( near Asheville ) with her husband, two kids, two cats and dog.  She owns the popular, award winning work at home website, www.MoneyMakingMommy.com. She loves writing, gardening, playing guitar and seeking out the “real” deal in life – and then pushing her opinion (in a nice way) about it on others….hence, her blog www.HomeBasedBusinessMom.com.

Life is overwhelming enough on just an average day when you think about it. You throw in an insurmountable amount of tasks in a minimal amount of time – and the only thing that you can do is surrender or try and keep up a pace that will burn you out quicker than a short fuse.

I fall into the latter category…..surrendering is SO hard for me. I become a Tasmanian Devil of sorts with every minute of the clock….whipping myself into a frenzy as my mind races with EVERYTHING that HAS to be done before I walk out the door to get my kids to: “Fill in the Blank”. Camp, lessons, school, party, doctor’s appointment, sports, practice…….the list goes on and on.

And yes…of course…I understand that pre-planning is important. Of course I do. I’m not a total dork. But if you’re a work at home mom….then you know – pre-planning will only get you so far.

Sometimes….like this morning, for me – I had to let my Type A personality take a back seat to surrendering. I yelled at my kids….I forgot things, I was late to where I needed to be and more importantly where the kids needed to be. So….in comes the guilt….

It’s a bad thing – stress. Especially when you have to be somewhere and there are a million things to do before you get there. For a work at home parent….most of the time…all tasks fall on them. It’s just a given that the parent that’s “at home” needs to deal with all the “at home” stuff. You husbands and wives that work outside the home….your spouse at home will eventually go coo coo for cocoa puffs if you don’t step in and try and help. Don’t just ASK if you can help….just HELP!

“I would have done that for you….” Or… “If I knew what to fix for dinner I would have….”
You’re a grown up – come on!

In my hissy this morning….fussing about the house not being clean for a showing (it’s for sale), or the kitty box not being emptied….I hadn’t made the sandwiches yet for the kids to eat after swimming lessons….my son couldn’t find his swimming trunks, there was laundry to fold thrown on the couch…
OH we could be here all day with crap to be done at my house – probably your house too…..
I just had a meltdown. I hate meltdowns.

But as I sit here…rehashing the morning in my mind…I don’t feel stressed anymore….but just mad. Mad at myself for lashing out. For not seeing through the mess and knowing what is really important. I hurt my kids’ feelings….I made them feel “less” over something silly. In the grand scheme of things…none of it really mattered. If the house wasn’t clean for a showing…who cares? Are they buying the house, or grading me on my cleaning skills? And the Buyers looking at my house….how clean did they leave their current residence for that day?? No one is perfect….and I guess that’s the point of this blog post.

When you’re trying to do it all….and on top of that – trying to do it all within a small window of time…
You’ve got to just stop and breathe. The madness you feel is of your own will. You have the power to stop the train wreck of stress.

It’s not easy. Lordy…I do know that. I’m a powerhouse on a mission when it comes to my house, yard….being on time. I’ve got a strong work ethic – I believe in following through. But sometimes…for my own good…I need to take frickin’ chill pill. (Not literally mind you!) But I need to just sloooow down – remind myself that no one will die if the petunias don’t get deadheaded today!

If  I don’t…well…

My anger….my stress….I pass that on to my kids. I pass on my style of handling stress to them. Do I want them to be that yelling, frothing at the mouth, witch that I was this morning? OH no….no no no. The very thought….horrible.

So today…sitting outside with my laptop – watching my kids swim at the county pool…I vow to try and “let it go” when it all feels like it’s crushing me. That crushing feeling tells me that I need to step back – I need to re-evaluate. Too much…is simply too much – that applies to even the simplest of things… food, shopping…anything really.

I need to give myself a break sometimes….
And I bet you do too. Being your own boss….and being a parent….that is a whole lotta-whole lotta, ya know? Don’t let anyone ever make you feel less because you “work at home” or you’re a “stay at home parent”. People that make comments that make you feel small – they have no idea – feel sorry for them.

This moment is a whole new moment. Don’t wait until tomorrow….set the wheels of change in motion RIGHT NOW. Simply take a deep breath. It’s OK. Relax those tense shoulders and neck. Lean back…stretch. Walk away from the laptop or computer you’re at right now.

I mean it…right now!

Trust me….I’m taking a break with you. We’ll be better parents because of it. And in the end….we’ve not let “stress” knock the wind out of our sails – because by walking away….and taking  a break….it has no power over us anymore.

Author: Kelly Land lives in Weaverville, NC with her husband, two kids, two cats and dog.  She owns the popular, award winning work at home website, www.MoneyMakingMommy.com. She loves writing, gardening, playing guitar and seeking out the “real” deal in life – and then pushing her opinion (in a nice way) about it on others….hence, her blog www.HomeBasedBusinessMom.com.

It’s almost like  a yawn/sigh.

A cross between “I’m kinda bummed….” and “Where do I even start?”….with a little “What am I doing?”

Yep…that’s what it feels like sometimes to be a work at home mom. It’s scary, frustrating, elating and exhausting. And there are days where you think it all might swallow you up because you’re just this tiny entity out there trying to find your way and grab your piece of the pie.

Having a home business or working at home can feel a bit isolating too. Who exactly do you go to when something screws up? What department do you call when you have a tax or payroll question? What’s the extension for the IT guy when you have a computer problem? Yep…..it’s you.

There have been many times over the past 8 years that I have just said…..I quit. I push my chair away from my computer desk or I slam my laptop shut and just walk away. How many all-nighters and obstacles and learning curves does one person have to endure to actually make it on their own??

A lot.
And there will always be more. (Please don’t kill the messenger! But it’s true!)

I don’t really believe in over night sensations on the internet. Not as far as a “mom” website, blog or home business go. It’s little steps….little achievements. Each one building on the other. And it’s hard to gauge these little accomplishments with your head down and working like a crazy woman. But it’s happening.

There is no co-worker or boss to pat you on the back…..and that can be hard. So give yourself credit. Even when you feel you’ll never figure out HTML, widgets, SEO……or whatever – just stop….and take stock in what you have figured out. Heck….even if you just figured out HOW to buy a domain name – and picked a domain name today – that is still a step. A step in the direction of your OWN dream.

MoneyMakingMommy.com was never an over-night success. I have a lot of women email me and say…..”I want to do what you do…..” Or…..”How do I get started…..how do I get traffic…..how do I figure out what to write about….talk about…..sell…..”   ETC

I don’t hold a “magic” answer. There has been nothing easy about this path I’ve been on. I still feel small sometimes – like I haven’t gotten to where I ultimately want to be. And it’s not about money or hitting some kind of income goal….
it’s about self-satisfaction.

Did I really offer anything of help today? Did a single person out there garner anything…even a smile, from something I passed along? If not? I ask…..”How can I do better…..” What path do I take tomorrow?

Every day I am learning something about me…..and something about the lives I touch. It guides me, inspires me – and I pull myself back up to my computer desk and try again. Not everything I’ve done or gone through the trouble of learning has been a success. But I have no regrets – because every experience has a lesson in it.

And if it had ever been just about money – I would have quit for good a long time ago and just gone back to radio. I’ve been knocked down a lot out here on the internet. I’ve looked at other sites, and seen others successes and started to try and measure up – or cut myself down for NOT measuring up in my eyes. Those are the times that lead me off track the most. I allow myself to feel small.

In the grand scheme – maybe we are all tiny – but I’m not trying to be everything to everybody. And neither should you. That’s impossible. You will feel so burdened and burnt out – you’ll set yourself up for failure from the get-go.

So take a step…
Find what you like….
This is what happened for me. I LOVE to write. I LOVE computers. I LOVE researching. I LOVE connecting with people over a common interest (That’s what I did on the air in radio for years!)
So…to this day….that’s my passion. I love it. It doesn’t get old for me. If you hate to write, hate computers, hate great big books that teach you about FrontPage or Dreamweaver……or have no desire to learn about search engine optimization….maybe this isn’t for you. But that doesn’t mean you can’t work at home or have a home based business – it just means…..your path is different than mine. So what?

Start with your heart in the right place….and take the first step. You cannot go wrong.

Author: Kelly Land lives in Weaverville, NC with her husband, two kids, two cats and dog.  She owns the popular, award winning work at home website, www.MoneyMakingMommy.com. She loves writing, gardening, playing guitar and seeking out the “real” deal in life – and then pushing her opinion (in a nice way) about it on others….hence, her blog www.HomeBasedBusinessMom.com.

It takes as much willpower to not go out and play in the Summer as it does to not eat the Krispy Kreme donut that you know will go straight to your hips! (Yep…I’ve tested this theory too many times….it always goes to your butt, gut or hips!)

So what do you do? Working at home is hard enough without the added temptation of great weather.

And then there are the kidlets.

My kids are both school age – so with Summer vacation, they are home. Yes – they do camps and have friends over – but for the most part they are here. I don’t want their summer to suck because I have to work. But I DO have to work.
(And so do you…..)

I guess the biggest favor you can do yourself is buy a laptop. I find that having a rugged laptop and case to carry it around in has made a lot of difference for me. Even if I don’t have internet access – I can still work on blog posts, answer emails that I can save as drafts and work on my weekly newsletter. And if I am somewhere with WIFI -well, I can get a lot do using GoToMyPC. This has been such a helpful tool for me.

For a long time….I thought it was kinda silly. Refused to use something that “connected” me to my home computer. I’d have to leave the home computer on, and was it really secure to use GoToMyPC? I was just not digging it.

OH but now….I’d be lost without it.

So having the laptop opens me up to work at the pool, at Fun Depot, at the park…..heck…I can work when the kids are playing paintball if I want. I’ve used my laptop when I’ve been in the pick-up line after school for the kids.

But if you don’t have a laptop – remember – trusty pen and paper are good tools to have on hand. Also – though it sounds silly – good magazines and newspapers. Just reading them can help give you ideas if you’re a blogger or writer.

If you run a direct sales business – having a handy dandy iPhone or Blackberry can work magic for you. You can make lists, update your calendars, connect to the internet, make calls, send emails…..

So together – we can work….and we can have fun in the sun! We don’t have to miss Summer and all the playing!

But….we do have to say NO to that Krispy Kreme donut.