WFH Fantasy vs. Reality
I see many work-from-home ads marketed to single parents. I see images with Mom working on her laptop with a baby in her lap, or sleeping quietly on the bed. It's a fantasy.
Personally, I find that imagery misleading, at best. It sets up a false expectation for working conditions.
The reality is telephone work-from-home jobs require a quiet background. There cannot be children, dogs, television, or other sounds present. Clients do not want their customers to hear noise in the background when calling in for assistance. They want a professional, focused environment for their customers' experience. They want their customers to feel like they are the top priority for the call with no distractions.
While one particular perk of working from home is eliminating daycare costs, you have to find a balance and the right Client in order to truly make that work. With small children, you could find a program that offers 24/7 scheduling. That way, you can work while your children are asleep. Sure, you get less sleep. But, you're not having to pay for daycare either or worry about a stranger watching your kids.
With school-aged children, it's a little easier. You simply schedule yourself during school hours. The summer, school holidays, teacher workdays, or track-out may present challenges. So, planning ahead using all the accurate information is critical.
Also keep in mind, working from home IS challenging! It requires a commitment to succeed. In many ways, it can be more difficult than a traditional job. There will be technical difficulties, coursework, scheduling challenges, and more. However, where there's a will, there is a way! No one is an expert on day one. You need to have the will and drive to overcome those obstacles. You CAN do it.
CHOOSE TO SUCCEED!
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