Countless moms and dads choose careers that let them remain home and care for their children during the day. And while working at home with kids presents it’s own set of challenges, there are ways to get through the day.

Consider daycare: I know, the purpose of working from home is generally to save money on weekly expenses such as child care. But even if you can’t afford to enroll your child in daily care, consider putting them in daycare one or two days a week, or hiring someone to care for your child inside the home. They’ll entertain the little ones, and you’re able to complete your work.

Take your child’s schedule into consideration: If you telecommute for a company, planning your day around your child may not be a feasible option. But if you’re running your own business–and you have the ability to set your own hours–consider working a few hours in the early mornings or evenings when the children are asleep; and take advantage of nap times.

Plan daily activities: The key to reducing interruptions during the day is keeping your children busy. Choose toys and activities that will hold their attention and stimulate their mind. And while I don’t advocate using the television as a babysitter, putting on their favorite movie can provide a couple  hours of quiet time.

Take frequent breaks: Spend time with your children during the day. This can include having lunch together, or taking 20 or 30 minute breaks to run around outside or enjoy another activity.

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I only freelance a couple hours a day. Thus, getting slightly off track isn’t a huge tragedy. But at the same time, I have a schedule. I like to get up and complete my work early. And while I realize that distractions and interruptions are a part of life….I only wish they occurred when I’m less busy. But since this rarely happens, I’ve discovered a few ways to get through the distractions and remain on task.

Stop Stressing: My mother and sister used to poke fun at me and laugh at the way I handled distractions. And sometimes, they would purposely interrupt me during work just to see my response. Looking back…I don’t blame them.  I was an inflexible stickler. And once I entered my work zone, I didn’t want anyone to talk to me or look my way. But I’ve become relaxed. So what if I get distracted and delayed an hour or two….it’s not the end of the world.

Find a quiet space: We have a home office. But it’s located in the front of the house, and our desk sits next to a large window facing the street. During certain times of the day–especially in the summer–working in our office is a distraction in itself. Neighbors mowing their yards, washing their cars, and kids playing in the street. I spend more time looking outside than working. But that’s the beauty of having a laptop and wireless Internet…I can move to an area with less distractions.

Set boundaries: I’ve yet to master this technique…but I’m getting better. If someone calls or sends a text during the day…I can’t ignore and return the call later. I always pick up the phone. And before I know it…I’ve spent 45 or more minutes on the phone. It’s not a huge problem…yet. But if it ever becomes one, I know what I have to do. Put the phone on vibrate, screen the calls, and return them after work hours. If it’s an emergency…they’ll leave a message.

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I’ve learned how to separate work and personal life. To achieve this, I’ve established specific work hours and I rarely conduct business at night or on the weekends. But occasionally–about two or three times a year—I get off track. I’m a natural-borne hard worker, and I love to stay busy. And while this is a good quality and I’m able to accomplish countless tasks, things can easily get out of hand, wherein I find myself working longer hours and neglecting my personal life.

But it doesn’t last long. I quickly come to my senses and life returns to normal.

So, what about you? Do you find it difficult to draw a line between work life and personal life? What can you do to achieve a balance?

• Stick to specific work hours: Do you prefer working in the mornings, evenings or on the weekend? Whatever your preference, choose your work hours and stick with your decision. Yeah, there’s no perfect schedule, and some days or weeks may be unusually hectic wherein you’ll have to put in more hours…but don’t make it habit.

• Choose projects carefully: If you want to reduce your work hours, you’ll need to reduce your workload. The beauty of running your own operation is that you don’t have to accept every assignment. Carefully evaluate each potential assignment and determine whether you have the time and energy.

• Set boundaries: If you allow clients to e-mail or contact you at all times of the day…they will. Respectfully establish boundaries. Take control of your business and inform clients of your available hours.

• Find an outlet: All work and no play can result in a very dull life. Find a way to relax–get a hobby, start exercising, or do absolutely nothing for a few hours a day.

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There’s no surefire way to guarantee success. But there is a wrong and a right way to start and grow a business–which can impact the bottom line and the lifespan of your business.

• What Do You Enjoy? Don’t pick a business simply because it’s lucrative and promises a good income–especially if you plan to stick with the business. For example, if you don’t have an interest in real estate, nor a desire to manage properties and tenants–then real estate investing is likely a bad match. Likewise, if you don’t like sales or talking to strangers, you might bypass the sales opportunities.

• Do You Have Capital? Some home businesses require little to no start-up cost. Evaluate your finances before selecting a new venture. You’ll need to attract clients and purchase marketing materials. So, it helps to have some cash on hand. But if you’re strapped for cash, consider the risk before investing in a costly business opportunity.

• Do You Have the Skills Needed? You don’t have to be “super intelligent” to run a successful home business, nor do you need a college degree. But you do need determination, patience, self-motivation and perseverance. Nobody strikes gold immediately, and there will be ups and downs. Expect obstacles.

• Are You Professional? It doesn’t matter whether your product or service is “in demand.” If your attitude sucks and you lack professionalism–your business will suffer.

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But let’s face the reality, it takes hard work and determination to make it on your own. And people seeking work at home opportunities don’t always have the time (or desire) to be their own boss.

Fortunately, several companies–large and small–frequently hire telecommuters as virtual assistants and customer service reps. Some companies require prior customer service experience, whereas others offer training. And you can generally get started with a computer, business phone line and a quiet workspace.

If you’re looking for a reputable company and a legitimate work from home job–that actually pays by the hour–The Work at Home Tips & Opportunity blogs features a generous list of employers who are ready to accept your application.

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Legit home assembly jobs

Be a work from home mom!

Do any of these job ads sound familiar? Type in a simple Google search for “work at home jobs” and you’ll stumble upon pages of pages of so-called legit work at home opportunities. But after further investigation–and perhaps falling prey to a few scams–you’ll discover that the majority of jobs promising the moon rarely pay a dime. They’ll request a fee. But instead of providing consistent work, they’ll provide information on “how to” find work at home jobs and send you on a never-ending hunt.

But don’t let the scams discourage you. Real work at home jobs do exist, and finding them often means weeding through bad opportunities. So, how do you know whether a work at home opportunity is real?

• Reputable company: Google the company’s name or check rip off reports for customer complaints. Real companies typically have real websites that include their physical address and telephone number. If you doubt a company’s legitimacy - keep looking.

• Unrealistic claims: As a young entrepreneur there were times when I naively believed work at home job ads that promised an obscene amount of money in a week’s time. But after being scammed–twice–I became wiser and realized that if I wanted to make thousands of dollars a week, I better go to med school.

• No Fees: If looking for employment outside of the home, would you pay potential employers a fee to conduct your interview? If not, then why should you pay for a work at home job? When companies request a fee, they’re not interested in helping you fnd a job. They want to make money, and they’ll boost their profits by any means necessary.

But according to business classes and experts, maintaining a professional attitude is paramount to success. Without a professional attitude, you’re likely to turn off clients and lose business.

I pride myself on being professional; and even when I’ve encountered rude clients or client who didn’t respect my personal time (and life), I’ve managed to maintain a professional attitude. This doesn’t mean I gave into their request or bent over backwards to accommodate their needs. Being professional isn’t being a “yes man or woman,” nor does it involve putting up with a client’s crazy requests.

Early on I was obsessed with finding and keeping clients, and this was evident in the way I dealt with them. I hesitated to speak up and inquire about late payments. I took last minute assignments and spent countless weekends researching and writing. And don’t get me started on assignments that weren’t worth the payout. But you learn and you make wiser choices.

You can be polite, yet firm. You can be professional, and still say “no.”

Through it all I maintained a professional attitude - minus the ONE time I flaked on a project because the client was beyond difficult.

It wasn’t my most professional moment, but everybody reaches their threshold and experiences a temporarily lapse of good judgment.  Nowadays, I deal with situations before they get to this point. It’s how I maintain my professionalism and reputation.

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My home internet connection has been anything but reliable for the past week. I don’t know why, but every morning between 10 and 10:30, my modem goes offline and I’m unable to access my wireless for hours. My husband got rid of our desktop computer about three months ago - so I don’t have a plan B. I’ve tried every method to bring my modem online, which included unplugging everything and re-setting the device. But it has a mind of it’s own, and it doesn’t come online until it’s ready.

I spent the greater part of last week complaining and moaning, and I came close to throwing the device out the window. And saying, “I’ve gotten behind on work” is an understatement.

This is the first time I’ve every dealt with ongoing Internet problems, so I shouldn’t complain. A technician is scheduled to come and check the cable line; and if necessary, replace the line. In the meantime, I’ve decided to remain calm and focus on the bright side. I can’t change my situation, but I can change the way I deal with the interruption. I’ll work when I have Internet access, and take care of other matters when my modem goes offline.

Actually, this may be a good thing. I’m an Internet junkie, and I’m glued to the computer regardless of whether I’m working. But this little interruption will give my hands a break. And who knows, I might be able to finish the book I’ve been reading for the past six months.

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Business reports frequently focus on employers looking for ways to cut costs. Meanwhile, employees seek ways to spend more time with their family and increase productivity. Thus, telecommuting has been a feasible solution for both employees and employers.

But what exactly is telecommuting? Does this term refer to any and everyone who works from home?

Not necessarily?I often refer to myself as a telecommuter. On one hand, I’m a self-employed, independent contractor who set’s my own hours and chooses my own assignments. But on the other hand, I complete projects for clients and I communicate with them via phone and e-mail. I may not fit the “true blue” definition of a telecommuter - who’s generally employed by a specific company and maintains direct communication with a boss or supervisor - but I work in a remote location, I use telecommuting technologies and conference calls are a monthly ritual.

Telecommuting can be a perfect fit for anyone who wants the flexibility of setting their own hours or working in their pajamas. And since telecommuter’s aren’t always home based business owners, but rather employees for a company, it’s the ideal choice for people who don’t want to constantly search for new clients, or deal with the hassle of operating their own business.

Some companies rarely advertise for telecommuters. And to qualify for this luxury, employees usually have to be employed with the company for a specific time period. But don’t let this discourage you. Obtaining the flexibility you need can be as simple as putting the idea in your bosses head. And who knows, your boss might be open to the agreement…..but you won’t know unless you ask.

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While people who work from home can usually establish their own schedule and take breaks without permission, this doesn’t always equal free time. Granted, I may not spend my entire day working on projects. But I do spend a large portion of my days taking care of business - whether it’s personal or related to freelance writing.

I strive to complete most of my assignments in the morning - I function better during this time of day. Afterwards, I may spend some time planning out the next few days. This can include finding resources for articles, researching potential markets and querying editors. This is in addition to exercising, volunteering, taking care of a house, and being a wife.

Don’t get me wrong - I’m not complaining. Quite the contrary, I enjoy a busy schedule. Besides, it leaves less time for worrying, which is what I do best. And when I need a break, I take a break. But talk to any telecommuter or anyone who owns a home-based business, and they’ll tell you the truth about free time. And believe me, it isn’t sleeping late, lounging on the couch, and watching soap operas - there’s always something to do.

Simply put, having a flexible schedule makes it possible to complete everything necessary - within a 24 hour period.

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