Include Your Kids

If you are working from home, more than likely you have chosen this route because you want to be home with your children. And while it is possible to juggle both a business and rearing children, it is undoubtly a learned skill.

In order to have full cooperation with your family, it’s important to corral the troops and ensure complete cooperation. Everyone has to be on board or else, there will be trouble down the road.

Whether your kids are in diapers or about to enter high school or college, here are simple steps you can take to make everyone feel included.


1. Family Goals
Gather the troops together and have a little heart to heart. Explain to them what you are doing and ask them for their support. Ask them what they would like to do when you meet your financial goals. Would it be a trip to a theme park, a weekend at the beach or just going to the movies? Once you decide on the awards, assign those awards to specific goals that you will need to reach. For instance, if you set 2 appointments a week for the month of September, you will treat the family to Movie Night. By creating rewards for your efforts, your family will have a vested interest in your success and will encourage and support you in your efforts.

2. Dream Board
A dream board is a visual symbol of your goals. You can use a cork board, a poster or anything else that is big and can hang on the way. Choose a prominent location in your home so everyone can look at it on a daily basis. Once you have established the rewards for meeting your goals, ask the family to look through magazines to find pictures of those goals. For instance, if one of your goals is to visit Disney World, have the kids look through magazines until they find a picture of the Mickey and Minnie something that would represent the trip. Then place the clippings on the board for everyone to see! This visual reminder will not only encourage you on your journey, but will be a great visual for your children as well!

3. Accountability Chart
Your kids have a great way of keeping you accountable. That is why it's a wonderful idea to ask them for their help. Create a chart that has all of the task you need to complete in order to meet your goal (i.e. number of calls per week, number of presentations/parties, number of sales, etc.). Create a checklist to show what you have accomplished for either the day or week. To include your kids, ask them to hold you accountable by requiring you to fill in the checklist. Have them ask you daily/weekly if you've done the necessary requirements to meet your goals. Because a reward is on the line, you kids will be more than willing to make sure you follow through on your work! And of course, you won’t want to let them down.

4. President of Operations
Give your children specific tasks that they can do to help you with your business. Perhaps it's putting labels on envelopes, filling gift baskets or dropping items off to customers. Whatever the task, make sure to include them. Whenever we have ownership in something, we want to do our best! It's the same way with kids. Plus, you'll be teaching them valuable lessons along the way!

5. Be Honest and Communicate
Because business fluctuates and things don’t always work out as planned, it’s important to communicate this with your children. Teach them early the realities of owning and business. You will teach them responsibility, dedication, customer service and most of all, perseverance. Along the way, be honest with them as to what is going on. If something you were counting on falls through, share with them how you plan to compensate for the loss. They will learn from you and you just never know what they will learn!

Hopefully these tips will encourage you to include your kids in your business and make it a successful endeavor! Working from home can be a wonderful option with many rewards. If you work diligently to include your family in all aspects of your work, you will receive more than just financial gains!


Betsy Canevari is a work at home mom with a toddler. She co-owns <a href="http://www.Smartmoms-smartbusiness.com">Smart Moms - Smart Business</a>; an online resource dedicated to educating women on how to earn multiple streams of income from home.