Managing Your Virtual Assistant Clients While Working At Home With The Kids
Fri, Sep 21, 2007
Before my daughter started going to school, she used to have her own desk in my office (she came up with the idea, she is far more organized and resourceful than I am! She took over an old washstand I had in my office and was using for knick knacks etc.)
I used to let her have old blank forms etc that I wasn’t using and she would make me work orders etc for her “business”. She could colour and do what ever she wanted there too. It was great.
See even more helpful ideas below that will work for you even if you aren`t a virtual assistant.
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Managing Your Virtual Assistant Clients While Working At Home With The Kids - Moms TalkBiz
Virtual assistants are on the rise. This is an excellent profession for the work-at-home mother. Here are some tips for managing your workload while the kids are home.
What is a virtual assistant? A virtual assistant is someone who provides businesses with services that aid them in the daily running of the business. They perform tasks like word processing, web design, corresponding with business clients, and database management.
Managing this business from home has advantages and disadvantages. For one, a mom can keep her kids under her watchful eye instead of in a daycare center. The family saves money on the cost of a sitter. She can also work in her pajamas until noon if she chooses.
Moms with home-based businesses can experience scheduling issues though. Children, especially small ones, don’t understand that mom can’t play because she has to work on the computer. Infants are even less forgiving. When they need something, there will be no relief for mom until she satisfies them.
With virtual assisting clients, the needs are varied and sometimes urgent. How can a mom work her business and take care of the kids? Planning is of the utmost importance. Patience is a must as well.
If you have an infant, schedule phone calls and net meetings during nap times. Babies sleep several hours a day. Use that time wisely to get client deliverables finished and sent out.
If you have a toddler who can walk and get into things, he or she will need to be in the office area with you. Toddlers do not sleep for long periods of time, so phone calls can be handled then, but other work will have to be managed with them awake. Setting up a play area in the corner of the office will keep your toddler occupied.
Place a few of their favorite toys, a blanket, and a pillow in the play area. A small television with a VCR for tapes of favorite shows gains their attention while you work on the computer. When they get tired, they can lie down and take a nap.
If you have more than one child, you may consider hiring a nanny once or twice a week. On these days, schedule conference calls, onsite meetings for local businesses, and other activities for which you need undisturbed quiet. Make the most of those days to lighten your load on the days when you are the caregiver for the kids.
Managing a virtual assisting business can be done with the kids at home. Setting a schedule and sticking to it will help you remain sane when the kids want and need your attention.
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One of the things I love about being a VA is that I can work at 6am when I get up with my kids – emails and paperwork can get done without the contraints that many 9-5 jobs have.
Working a schedule with multiple children can be a challenge – but as long as you can focus for at least short periods of time and get work done when needed, it’s worth it.
As for phone calls, what I’ve been learning is that customers will more than understand if you have some background noise as a WAHM. Trying to plan calls when you have less interruptions is a great idea.
Trust me, if I can be a VA with my 3 kids…. (ages 3, 1½ and newborn)…. anyone can!
Hi,
I work at home and my child is in school for most of my working schedule. I love that fact that I have the flexibility to pick him up from school and he is old enough to know when mommy is at work. He’s so supportive and gives me that necessary space so that Mommy can bring home the bacon so to speak.
I tend to keep him busy with crafts and homework while I continue my job…it’s amazing how fast the hours go by and then I can just devote the rest of the day to him.
Thanks for a great post!
Thanks Lisa and Sonia for leaving your comment!
I just wanted to throw in here that Lisa is one of my virtual assistant’s and she is amazing and a life saver.
Not only can she do it (although I’m sure it’s harder some days than she makes it look), she does it very well.
Also, to become a virtual assistant at home, you don’t need to jump in whole hog and have it take over your life. Lisa and Sahrina work for me part time, basically set their own hours to what works for them.
I am totally blessed that they have come aboard – not only to help me get more work done and keep me in line :0), but it’s more fun too!
There are plenty of work at home mom’s out there who are looking for part time help from another mom who understands work at home with kids conditions.