Comments on: Weekend Conversation :: What’s the Worst Part About Working at Home http://www.sparkplugging.com/sparkplug-ceo/weekend-conversation-whats-the-worst-part-about-working-at-home/ Be a Chief Extraordinary Officer in Business & in Life Wed, 04 Nov 2009 06:52:12 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Kim http://www.sparkplugging.com/sparkplug-ceo/weekend-conversation-whats-the-worst-part-about-working-at-home/comment-page-1/#comment-253910 Kim Mon, 12 Jan 2009 22:29:46 +0000 http://www.emomsathome.com/blog/2007/10/13/weekend-conversation-whats-the-worst-part-about-working-at-home/#comment-253910 I find your blog very interesting, I have commented before and signed up for your blogging e-class. I don't blog for a living, but I do work at home. I find it very rewarding, being able to work while my kids are sleeping and playing and also be home with them all of the time. It pays me just to stay home with them. <abbr><em>Kims last blog post..<a href="http://www.kimberlynguyen.com/?p=26" rel="nofollow">Oh My!</a></em></abbr> I find your blog very interesting, I have commented before and signed up for your blogging e-class. I don’t blog for a living, but I do work at home. I find it very rewarding, being able to work while my kids are sleeping and playing and also be home with them all of the time. It pays me just to stay home with them.

Kims last blog post..Oh My!

]]> By: Karen Putz http://www.sparkplugging.com/sparkplug-ceo/weekend-conversation-whats-the-worst-part-about-working-at-home/comment-page-1/#comment-86480 Karen Putz Mon, 15 Oct 2007 13:14:35 +0000 http://www.emomsathome.com/blog/2007/10/13/weekend-conversation-whats-the-worst-part-about-working-at-home/#comment-86480 For me, it is the social isolation. I currently work at home as a writer for a writing company. My previous work from home jobs had me out in the community on a daily basis. I don't think I'm going to last long writing from home as I've already applied for another job that will still allow me to work from home but travel as well. (Oh, and a steady paycheck!) For me, it is the social isolation. I currently work at home as a writer for a writing company. My previous work from home jobs had me out in the community on a daily basis. I don’t think I’m going to last long writing from home as I’ve already applied for another job that will still allow me to work from home but travel as well. (Oh, and a steady paycheck!)

]]> By: Stephanie http://www.sparkplugging.com/sparkplug-ceo/weekend-conversation-whats-the-worst-part-about-working-at-home/comment-page-1/#comment-86380 Stephanie Mon, 15 Oct 2007 04:01:21 +0000 http://www.emomsathome.com/blog/2007/10/13/weekend-conversation-whats-the-worst-part-about-working-at-home/#comment-86380 I asked questions like this on my forum a while back. They're fun and they still get answers! I think the hardest thing for me is the interruptions. My son especially is at a phase where he wants constant attention. It can be hard on days when he takes a minimal nap then wants to do things with Mommy all day. Then combine that with the constant feeling like I should be working even when I really should be taking time off. I'm great for giving myself guilt in both directions. But when I really think about it, I think I have a pretty fair balance going. I asked questions like this on my forum a while back. They’re fun and they still get answers!

I think the hardest thing for me is the interruptions. My son especially is at a phase where he wants constant attention. It can be hard on days when he takes a minimal nap then wants to do things with Mommy all day.

Then combine that with the constant feeling like I should be working even when I really should be taking time off. I’m great for giving myself guilt in both directions. But when I really think about it, I think I have a pretty fair balance going.

]]> By: Holli Jo http://www.sparkplugging.com/sparkplug-ceo/weekend-conversation-whats-the-worst-part-about-working-at-home/comment-page-1/#comment-86265 Holli Jo Sun, 14 Oct 2007 20:04:45 +0000 http://www.emomsathome.com/blog/2007/10/13/weekend-conversation-whats-the-worst-part-about-working-at-home/#comment-86265 Great question! It wouldn't be fair to only list the positives of working from home. The worst part of working from home for me is the unsteady income. For various reasons, I quit my full-time job to try and make it as a freelance writer. So going from a full-time salary to a (for now) smaller and unpredictable income. The other things have already been mentioned - working too many hours, not showering before noon (or later!), and the 'admin' side of it. So though it's worth it, it's not always wonderful! Great question! It wouldn’t be fair to only list the positives of working from home.

The worst part of working from home for me is the unsteady income. For various reasons, I quit my full-time job to try and make it as a freelance writer. So going from a full-time salary to a (for now) smaller and unpredictable income.

The other things have already been mentioned – working too many hours, not showering before noon (or later!), and the ‘admin’ side of it.

So though it’s worth it, it’s not always wonderful!

]]> By: Home Office Warrior » The Downside of Working at Home http://www.sparkplugging.com/sparkplug-ceo/weekend-conversation-whats-the-worst-part-about-working-at-home/comment-page-1/#comment-86251 Home Office Warrior » The Downside of Working at Home Sun, 14 Oct 2007 18:05:13 +0000 http://www.emomsathome.com/blog/2007/10/13/weekend-conversation-whats-the-worst-part-about-working-at-home/#comment-86251 [...] Wendy Piersall had a follow-up post this weekend to her post last week when she ask what was the best thing about working at home. This weekend on her great blog eMoms at Home she ask, “What’s the Worst Part About Working at Home?” [...] [...] Wendy Piersall had a follow-up post this weekend to her post last week when she ask what was the best thing about working at home. This weekend on her great blog eMoms at Home she ask, “What’s the Worst Part About Working at Home?” [...]

]]> By: Grant Griffiths http://www.sparkplugging.com/sparkplug-ceo/weekend-conversation-whats-the-worst-part-about-working-at-home/comment-page-1/#comment-86250 Grant Griffiths Sun, 14 Oct 2007 18:03:42 +0000 http://www.emomsathome.com/blog/2007/10/13/weekend-conversation-whats-the-worst-part-about-working-at-home/#comment-86250 Excellent follow-up post Wendy. In fact, it really got me to think about the same questions so I posted about it too. Great minds think alike. The same benefits of the home office can also become a curse. We have to learn and set rules to establish a work-life balance for both us and our families if a home office is going to work. Excellent follow-up post Wendy. In fact, it really got me to think about the same questions so I posted about it too. Great minds think alike. The same benefits of the home office can also become a curse. We have to learn and set rules to establish a work-life balance for both us and our families if a home office is going to work.

]]> By: Char http://www.sparkplugging.com/sparkplug-ceo/weekend-conversation-whats-the-worst-part-about-working-at-home/comment-page-1/#comment-86212 Char Sun, 14 Oct 2007 16:48:15 +0000 http://www.emomsathome.com/blog/2007/10/13/weekend-conversation-whats-the-worst-part-about-working-at-home/#comment-86212 The worst part is definitely educating my family that I cannot work and do dishes, laundry, entertain, run their errands, be their secretary, etc all at the same time. As a result I have had to make it very clear to them that during my work hours I work and when I'm not working I will do all the other stuff (with their help). The other thing I don't really like about working from home/being my own boss is doing the admin stuff that goes along with it. The worst part is definitely educating my family that I cannot work and do dishes, laundry, entertain, run their errands, be their secretary, etc all at the same time.

As a result I have had to make it very clear to them that during my work hours I work and when I’m not working I will do all the other stuff (with their help).

The other thing I don’t really like about working from home/being my own boss is doing the admin stuff that goes along with it.

]]> By: Dmarie http://www.sparkplugging.com/sparkplug-ceo/weekend-conversation-whats-the-worst-part-about-working-at-home/comment-page-1/#comment-86211 Dmarie Sun, 14 Oct 2007 16:42:34 +0000 http://www.emomsathome.com/blog/2007/10/13/weekend-conversation-whats-the-worst-part-about-working-at-home/#comment-86211 For me the challenge is in setting aside time for myself. As a single parent of a middle schooler all my free time seems to revolve around building my businesses, some of which are in the infant stages. When my son goes to bed there's nothing to keep me from working from 10pm til all kinds of crazy hours. I try to limit myself and get to bed by midnight, but when I'm on a roll and my brain is fired up, sleeping is the last thing I want to do. If I do the 'wee hours of the morning' thing more than 2 days in a row, I pay for it during the day though. For me the challenge is in setting aside time for myself. As a single parent of a middle schooler all my free time seems to revolve around building my businesses, some of which are in the infant stages. When my son goes to bed there’s nothing to keep me from working from 10pm til all kinds of crazy hours. I try to limit myself and get to bed by midnight, but when I’m on a roll and my brain is fired up, sleeping is the last thing I want to do. If I do the ‘wee hours of the morning’ thing more than 2 days in a row, I pay for it during the day though.

]]> By: Mother Earth http://www.sparkplugging.com/sparkplug-ceo/weekend-conversation-whats-the-worst-part-about-working-at-home/comment-page-1/#comment-86204 Mother Earth Sun, 14 Oct 2007 16:18:14 +0000 http://www.emomsathome.com/blog/2007/10/13/weekend-conversation-whats-the-worst-part-about-working-at-home/#comment-86204 on a personal level it's some of the habits that have snuck their way in - one that i am determined to change (and it's now 11 am )is to get out of mydang pajamas -- I find i am scrambling into a shower often at 3 and it feels sortof slouchy and skeeezy - very unprofessional feeling I agree with the think the leaving the work at home part also --- hard to sometimes walk away from it all Mother Earth aka Karen Hanrahan www.bestwellnessconsultant.com hey wendy - did you see I am an SOB!!! on a personal level it’s some of the habits that have snuck their way in – one that i am determined to change (and it’s now 11 am )is to get out of mydang pajamas — I find i am scrambling into a shower often at 3 and it feels sortof slouchy and skeeezy – very unprofessional feeling

I agree with the think the leaving the work at home part also — hard to sometimes walk away from it all

Mother Earth aka Karen Hanrahan
http://www.bestwellnessconsultant.com

hey wendy – did you see I am an SOB!!!

]]> By: Melissa Garrett http://www.sparkplugging.com/sparkplug-ceo/weekend-conversation-whats-the-worst-part-about-working-at-home/comment-page-1/#comment-86201 Melissa Garrett Sun, 14 Oct 2007 16:15:19 +0000 http://www.emomsathome.com/blog/2007/10/13/weekend-conversation-whats-the-worst-part-about-working-at-home/#comment-86201 FAMILY!!! Even though family can be the best part of working from home, it can also be the worst. I pretty much work when I can (that's the only way I earn income, right?!) but my family doesn't always understand this. I'm lucky that my two older kids are in school, but I also have a toddler at home 24/7 who doesn't always take a nap during the day. And my husband (God love him) is not always supportive about entertaining the kids when I need to work. And if I need to work at night when the kids are asleep, my husband wonders why I am not spending time with him. I love being my own boss, but I would also LOVE to have an office, outside of the house, where I could retreat for about six hours each day. FAMILY!!!

Even though family can be the best part of working from home, it can also be the worst. I pretty much work when I can (that’s the only way I earn income, right?!) but my family doesn’t always understand this. I’m lucky that my two older kids are in school, but I also have a toddler at home 24/7 who doesn’t always take a nap during the day. And my husband (God love him) is not always supportive about entertaining the kids when I need to work. And if I need to work at night when the kids are asleep, my husband wonders why I am not spending time with him. I love being my own boss, but I would also LOVE to have an office, outside of the house, where I could retreat for about six hours each day.

]]> By: Melissa Moog http://www.sparkplugging.com/sparkplug-ceo/weekend-conversation-whats-the-worst-part-about-working-at-home/comment-page-1/#comment-86196 Melissa Moog Sun, 14 Oct 2007 15:56:45 +0000 http://www.emomsathome.com/blog/2007/10/13/weekend-conversation-whats-the-worst-part-about-working-at-home/#comment-86196 Great topic! I've been working from home for 6 months now and I agree that the toughest thing is being able to draw the boundary b/w work and family life. Unlike commuting to an office everyday and being able to leave your work there......it's much harder with a home based biz since you're office is right next to your bedroom! :) But I still wouldn't trade being my own boss, having a flexible schedule and working from home for the corporate life again. I feel very lucky to be able to work at home and also watch my 15 mo old toddler. Great topic! I’ve been working from home for 6 months now and I agree that the toughest thing is being able to draw the boundary b/w work and family life. Unlike commuting to an office everyday and being able to leave your work there……it’s much harder with a home based biz since you’re office is right next to your bedroom! :) But I still wouldn’t trade being my own boss, having a flexible schedule and working from home for the corporate life again. I feel very lucky to be able to work at home and also watch my 15 mo old toddler.

]]> By: Neena http://www.sparkplugging.com/sparkplug-ceo/weekend-conversation-whats-the-worst-part-about-working-at-home/comment-page-1/#comment-86159 Neena Sun, 14 Oct 2007 12:49:10 +0000 http://www.emomsathome.com/blog/2007/10/13/weekend-conversation-whats-the-worst-part-about-working-at-home/#comment-86159 I am a full time mom and a part time blogger. Squeezing in blogging time is difficult. Since I am just getting started, my family and friends consider it to be a hobby of mine instead of work. Getting people closest to me to take my blogging seriously is the hardest part of working from home. I am a full time mom and a part time blogger. Squeezing in blogging time is difficult. Since I am just getting started, my family and friends consider it to be a hobby of mine instead of work. Getting people closest to me to take my blogging seriously is the hardest part of working from home.

]]> By: Gaida http://www.sparkplugging.com/sparkplug-ceo/weekend-conversation-whats-the-worst-part-about-working-at-home/comment-page-1/#comment-85924 Gaida Sat, 13 Oct 2007 22:31:40 +0000 http://www.emomsathome.com/blog/2007/10/13/weekend-conversation-whats-the-worst-part-about-working-at-home/#comment-85924 Having to be disciplined that you are 'working' from home. I'm sure my neighbours also thought I was living the easy life. My biggest obstacle is my teenage son..especially during holidays & sharing the computer. He just laughs at me when I say I need the computer to work. A laptop is definitely on my wishlist. But there are also programs on my main computer that can only be worked on from there. And as Courtney said.. When that idea hits & you just have to get to the computer...time gets away. I carry a small notebook in my bag to jot down ideas when I'm out or at home. Having to be disciplined that you are ‘working’ from home. I’m sure my neighbours also thought I was living the easy life.

My biggest obstacle is my teenage son..especially during holidays & sharing the computer. He just laughs at me when I say I need the computer to work. A laptop is definitely on my wishlist. But there are also programs on my main computer that can only be worked on from there.

And as Courtney said.. When that idea hits & you just have to get to the computer…time gets away. I carry a small notebook in my bag to jot down ideas when I’m out or at home.

]]> By: Alisha http://www.sparkplugging.com/sparkplug-ceo/weekend-conversation-whats-the-worst-part-about-working-at-home/comment-page-1/#comment-85876 Alisha Sat, 13 Oct 2007 19:55:13 +0000 http://www.emomsathome.com/blog/2007/10/13/weekend-conversation-whats-the-worst-part-about-working-at-home/#comment-85876 I started working at home when my son was just 1 1/2. Someone had contacted me asking me if I was able to work and that I would only have to go in to the office at least once a week. That was a dream for me! Or so I thought. After about a year, it became harder as my son got older because he was demanding more and more of my attention, because I was right there. Whenever I went to the office to work it was easier to concentrate on just work. I love my two kids, but it can be hard to get any work done at home with little ones. I started working at home when my son was just 1 1/2. Someone had contacted me asking me if I was able to work and that I would only have to go in to the office at least once a week. That was a dream for me! Or so I thought.

After about a year, it became harder as my son got older because he was demanding more and more of my attention, because I was right there.

Whenever I went to the office to work it was easier to concentrate on just work.

I love my two kids, but it can be hard to get any work done at home with little ones.

]]> By: Suzie Cheel http://www.sparkplugging.com/sparkplug-ceo/weekend-conversation-whats-the-worst-part-about-working-at-home/comment-page-1/#comment-85869 Suzie Cheel Sat, 13 Oct 2007 19:41:20 +0000 http://www.emomsathome.com/blog/2007/10/13/weekend-conversation-whats-the-worst-part-about-working-at-home/#comment-85869 That's the one Wendy BALANCE. Here I am 5 am Sunday AM doing all the last minute things before we head to China tomorrow.I will know for a week what having kids is like with a 4 year old nephew and 15 mths neice. I doubt I'll be visiting here regularly. Lying in bed reading would be a great option or even still asleep! Like you, never really being away from it, I sometimes wake up with an idea for a blog post, it does get to dominate my life. But I love it, and in the near future see more time for holidays and more fun and what we all seem to be striving for BALANCE That’s the one Wendy BALANCE. Here I am 5 am Sunday AM doing all the last minute things before we head to China tomorrow.I will know for a week what having kids is like with a 4 year old nephew and 15 mths neice. I doubt I’ll be visiting here regularly.
Lying in bed reading would be a great option or even still asleep!

Like you, never really being away from it, I sometimes wake up with an idea for a blog post, it does get to dominate my life.

But I love it, and in the near future see more time for holidays and more fun and what we all seem to be striving for BALANCE

]]> By: Jenni Hunt http://www.sparkplugging.com/sparkplug-ceo/weekend-conversation-whats-the-worst-part-about-working-at-home/comment-page-1/#comment-85845 Jenni Hunt Sat, 13 Oct 2007 18:21:47 +0000 http://www.emomsathome.com/blog/2007/10/13/weekend-conversation-whats-the-worst-part-about-working-at-home/#comment-85845 Finding balance... I love what I do - and although I love my family so much more, I struggle with finding the right balance. Jenni Finding balance… I love what I do – and although I love my family so much more, I struggle with finding the right balance.

Jenni

]]> By: Courtney TURTLE http://www.sparkplugging.com/sparkplug-ceo/weekend-conversation-whats-the-worst-part-about-working-at-home/comment-page-1/#comment-85828 Courtney TURTLE Sat, 13 Oct 2007 17:39:55 +0000 http://www.emomsathome.com/blog/2007/10/13/weekend-conversation-whats-the-worst-part-about-working-at-home/#comment-85828 I hear ya Wendy! I work at home in real life (telecommute really), and I have a hard time putting the work down. It is just to easy to think of an idea after supper and head down to the office and lose a couple more hours. The worst part is I think the neighbours must think I'm a bum! I hear ya Wendy! I work at home in real life (telecommute really), and I have a hard time putting the work down. It is just to easy to think of an idea after supper and head down to the office and lose a couple more hours.

The worst part is I think the neighbours must think I’m a bum!

]]> By: Linette http://www.sparkplugging.com/sparkplug-ceo/weekend-conversation-whats-the-worst-part-about-working-at-home/comment-page-1/#comment-85804 Linette Sat, 13 Oct 2007 16:32:04 +0000 http://www.emomsathome.com/blog/2007/10/13/weekend-conversation-whats-the-worst-part-about-working-at-home/#comment-85804 The hardest part about working at home for me is I feel guilty. I feel guilty for working, especially when my son is home. I tend to work late at night or early in the morning, and little chunks of time throughout the day. I always worry he won't think I spend enough time with him. This bugs me even though I know if I worked outside the home he would spend several hours in daycare a day, and I would spend even less time with him. The hardest part about working at home for me is I feel guilty. I feel guilty for working, especially when my son is home. I tend to work late at night or early in the morning, and little chunks of time throughout the day. I always worry he won’t think I spend enough time with him.

This bugs me even though I know if I worked outside the home he would spend several hours in daycare a day, and I would spend even less time with him.

]]> By: Kelly http://www.sparkplugging.com/sparkplug-ceo/weekend-conversation-whats-the-worst-part-about-working-at-home/comment-page-1/#comment-85795 Kelly Sat, 13 Oct 2007 16:16:04 +0000 http://www.emomsathome.com/blog/2007/10/13/weekend-conversation-whats-the-worst-part-about-working-at-home/#comment-85795 Wow... I am trying very hard to warm up my brain on a Saturday morning to come up with something I don't like about working at home. The best I can think of is that there's a lot of bookkeeping involved that I don't care for (hate hate hate) - but that's about the be dealt with through outsourcing ;) Wow… I am trying very hard to warm up my brain on a Saturday morning to come up with something I don’t like about working at home.

The best I can think of is that there’s a lot of bookkeeping involved that I don’t care for (hate hate hate) – but that’s about the be dealt with through outsourcing ;)

]]> By: Laura http://www.sparkplugging.com/sparkplug-ceo/weekend-conversation-whats-the-worst-part-about-working-at-home/comment-page-1/#comment-85772 Laura Sat, 13 Oct 2007 15:19:46 +0000 http://www.emomsathome.com/blog/2007/10/13/weekend-conversation-whats-the-worst-part-about-working-at-home/#comment-85772 Another good question Wendy! For me I think the worst part of working at home is having people assume that you're not doing anything. I know that it shouldn't bother me, but it does. No matter how many times I explain that I have projects and deadlines, I know that I'm the first one people call when they want someone to run an errand during the day or if the school is looking for a parent volunteer. This never happened when I went to an office everyday. It's difficult, because I do want to help sometimes (especially at the school) so I don't always want to say "no." However, if I say "yes" once it seems to reinforce the perception that I have all this free time. Another good question Wendy!

For me I think the worst part of working at home is having people assume that you’re not doing anything. I know that it shouldn’t bother me, but it does.

No matter how many times I explain that I have projects and deadlines, I know that I’m the first one people call when they want someone to run an errand during the day or if the school is looking for a parent volunteer. This never happened when I went to an office everyday.

It’s difficult, because I do want to help sometimes (especially at the school) so I don’t always want to say “no.” However, if I say “yes” once it seems to reinforce the perception that I have all this free time.

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