Right now, I’m at a coffee shop writing. I’ve replied to some emails, checked Twitter and Facebook (probably a bit too much), worked on an outline for my next book, planned the blog’s editorial calendar for May, and chatted via Skype with my husband at home about dinner tonight.
I’m about to head home to pick up our new kitten, because Tate wants to present Pepper to her class for show and tell. I’ll bring Tate and the cat home (she goes to a half-day kindergarten), the five of us will have lunch together (Kyle, the kids and me), the three younger ones will have their naps or quiet times. and then Kyle and I will meet briefly.
After this, it’s Kyle’s turn to work. He’ll work from the desk with his headphones on while I fold laundry, get dinner started, change diapers, probably break up a few fights, and hopefully read a few stories (Harry Potter; The Polar Express for the millionth time).
This is our life. This is how we both work from home. And in the next few weeks, I’ll be talking about the reality behind it.
Lots of you have been asking me lately how I write and work from home while parenting three little kids and running a home. So for the next few weeks, I’m going to answer some of your questions. I’m not going to pretend that I have the definitive answer for everybody’s situation or business; I don’t. I only know what I do, and I’m happy to share some of it.
We’ve had several Facebook conversations about this, and you’ve asked good stuff. The most common questions seem to be:
• Can you really make decent money blogging?
• How do you juggle parenting with writing, and not feel guilty about being on the computer?
• What does it take to convince your husband you’re not just playing on the computer?
• Do you have outside help?
• How do you get enough sleep?
• What do you do to keep yourself from getting distracted?
• What does my work schedule look like?
• Balance, balance, balance — how do I get it all done?
I can’t promise to tackle all of your questions, but you’ve definitely brought up some great topics. I don’t have all the answers, but I’ll share my thoughts.
I’ll give you a small glimpse into my daily life, what it really means to work from home, to blog as a business, and how I earn money. I don’t set the standard, and there’s definitely more than one way to work from home. But I’ll share what I do. I’ll also share thoughts from others who work similarly from home, including a new ebook written by a good friend that will give you inspiration to do your thing.
There’s probably not enough space to share it all, but I’d love to know your most pressing questions about working from home, developing a writing career, or balancing parenting with pursuing an outside passion.
What other questions do you have?
