Summer can be a challenging time for home – based professionals, but it can also be a lot of fun. Some of the challenges of summer include your family’s shifting schedule and figuring out how to fit in some vacation time from both a time management and a money management perspective. Fortunately, as a home – based professional you have a lot of decision – making power when it comes to finding creative solutions to those challenges.
Since my children are very young and I am a stay at home mom, I do not yet have to figure out a solution to a shift in their schedule. My home – based work situation is simple. I work for two to three hours each night after the boys are in bed. Sometimes, I have to go to court and I rely on family members that live nearby for child care. Once a week, my sister – in – law comes over to play with my older son for a few hours so that I can play catch – up or get some work done ahead of time. This schedule is the same as it has been for quite some time, and it will remain the same this summer.
From a time – management perspective, I have figured out how I will accommodate a one week trip to Cape Cod with my family while maintaining my regular work schedule. Since I work so few hours each day, I can bring my laptop on vacation with me and work after the boys are in bed just like I do now. If their bed time schedule gets thrown off, I can still fit in a couple of hours of work each day because my husband and I will be vacationing with my dad and perhaps a couple of other people. Dylan and Blake can enjoy some time with PaPa Jim and the others while I work. Since I work very few hours, every working hour is essential to making my budget work so I have decided that I will maintain my regular work schedule while I am on vacation.
Summer brings both challenges and opportunities for home – based professionals. How are you handling this summer’s challenges? What fun things do you have planned?
Photo by moare on morguefile.com.