Most work-at-home moms start a home-based business because they want to stay at home with their little ones. And I was no different: I quit a great corporate job to be around my two kids.
But then again, you put a lot of work into your business, and it works! Yes, you're getting orders, and you're making some money, but the flip side is that you don't have that much time for your little ones. Then how do you balance your time? Do you still put your kids first? Or you say the "Just a minute dear!" line and hope they can't tell the time?
It happened to me: One day, during my first Christmas season in business, I was busy ordering 150 gift baskets. It was hard work, and the tension was running high. The deadline was approaching, and I didn't even have time to stop to straighten the room.
There were boxes with produce everywhere, empty boxes, and delicious food everywhere: a real disaster zone! And just then, my 4-year-old daughter (now 11) came up to me in tears with her big brown eyes: "Mom, I'm bored and I'm lonely... can we play a little?" what can I do? I was alone at home with him, and if I had stopped playing, there was no way I could finish my order on time.
So, I was quickly thinking of how I can play with him and work with him at the same time. And I came up with the idea to build an office for him right next to his office from used/damaged boxes. She was excited! And he did all the work! I told him where to go and get the boxes, and made a place for him by my desk. He built a desk, revamped a chair, and even had the stuff to sell in his store.
With that in place, I was able to continue with my work uninterruptedly most of the time. She loved watching and copying me: When I picked up the phone to talk to a client, she picked up her imaginary phone. When I needed to make a basket, he made his own. When I calculated the price of my baskets, he picked up a pencil and calculated his prices.
Over time, her office evolved: Old, damaged boxes were replaced with real wooden drawers. The inventory I couldn't sell became his store's inventory. He also found a binding machine and a sofa. Now, her office is her favorite place to play. And it's not just an office anymore: it's a whole building with various shops. It has a restaurant, bath and body shop, a bookstore, and a toy store.
The store has helped her in many ways:
- He learned how to maintain and order inventory
- He learned about phone etiquette
- He learned to add and subtract
- Learned organization skills
- She learned to be creative (small pieces and pieces of ribbon, irregular baskets, empty containers have become a huge asset to her business)
Are you using your business to teach your kids the basics of business while having fun? I'm sure you could. Just take some time and think about how your situation can be used to sow some commercial seeds in your child.
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