Did you start your home biz so you could be home with your kids? I'm betting you did. It's a common reason for starting a home biz.
But do you feel sometimes like you're spending more time in your office, sewing room, or workshop than you spend with your kids? And you're not sure how to get that balance back?
Most blog posts about this topic say things like you need to set boundaries, or your work will overtake the rest of your life. And delegate tasks to a virtual assistant, so you spend the most time on what earns you money, and less on things that don't. Both of which are true! But what about a solution a little outside the box?
What about involving your kids in your biz?
Put yourself in your child's shoes. Every morning (or afternoon, or evening - whatever time you work at home) your mum or dad goes off into this room of the house that you're not allowed into. They shut the door, and for a couple hours, you don't see them.
They could be doing anything in there! What if it's fun, and they're not letting you in on it? What do they do in there by themselves?
Kids are curious. Just think of all those awkward questions they've asked you in public. They love to learn new things, and to show how competent they are.
What if, instead of locking yourself away every day, you brought them in to help you once in a while? This way, they get to see what you're doing, and spend time with you while you do it.
Older kids, of course, can help in more advanced ways. They often want payment for their services, however.
Younger kids are usually happy enough to just help Mum or Dad with whatever they're doing.
Do your kids help out with your biz? In what ways?
But do you feel sometimes like you're spending more time in your office, sewing room, or workshop than you spend with your kids? And you're not sure how to get that balance back?
Most blog posts about this topic say things like you need to set boundaries, or your work will overtake the rest of your life. And delegate tasks to a virtual assistant, so you spend the most time on what earns you money, and less on things that don't. Both of which are true! But what about a solution a little outside the box?
What about involving your kids in your biz?
Put yourself in your child's shoes. Every morning (or afternoon, or evening - whatever time you work at home) your mum or dad goes off into this room of the house that you're not allowed into. They shut the door, and for a couple hours, you don't see them.
They could be doing anything in there! What if it's fun, and they're not letting you in on it? What do they do in there by themselves?
Kids are curious. Just think of all those awkward questions they've asked you in public. They love to learn new things, and to show how competent they are.
What if, instead of locking yourself away every day, you brought them in to help you once in a while? This way, they get to see what you're doing, and spend time with you while you do it.
How your kids can get involved in your biz
- Modeling children's clothing
- Product testing (toys, books, other children's items)
- Packing orders & going to the post office (I know mine love putting things in the postbox!)
- Stuffing envelopes
- Unpack & help put away new stock
- Stocktake - ask them to count how many of a certain item
Older kids, of course, can help in more advanced ways. They often want payment for their services, however.
Younger kids are usually happy enough to just help Mum or Dad with whatever they're doing.Do your kids help out with your biz? In what ways?
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