Summertime Entrepreneurial Blues
Summertime, and the livin’ is easy . . . except for home-office entrepreneurs! Working in a home office can be a challenge at the best of times. But when the kids are home from school for summer break, is it time to resign oneself to three months of mayhem? To work that just doesn’t happen?
My answer is, as usual, on the fence between yes and no. My children aren’t little anymore; I’ve got a teen and one on the brink of teen-hood. They can make their own ramen noodles, put away their own laundry, figure out their own social arrangements–and all they need, at least for a couple more years, is a taxi service. I can say “go play in the pool” and not worry that they’ll drown in 4 feet of water without direct supervision (though the buddy system applies). I can head out for a morning meeting and know they’ll be all right while I’m gone (with locked doors, cell phones and big dogs).
I am still relatively free to conduct business, despite the kids’ presence. They are also old enough to understand why I work instead of taking them to Kings Island every day (which gets boring, anyway)–someone has to pay for those season passes! But on the other hand, I also make sure they know I’m glad they’re here, and glad I can be here with them.
It is summer, after all. And if you don’t spend time with your kids when you can, before you know it they won’t be kids anymore and the opportunity will vanish like fog in the sunshine.
On the other hand, part of parenting is teaching children how the world works, and how they can be successful within its parameters. My whole summer is “take your child to work day.” I like to think that they’ve learned a few things from watching me do my thing, like:
- Sometimes you have to work when you’d rather be playing.
- Hard work pays off and it sure feels good when things go well.
- If you can’t find a job that suits you, create your own.
- “Work-at-home” doesn’t mean “goofing off in the room mom calls an office.”
- Yes, you can actually make a living as a writer.
- The occasional volunteer job is always worthwhile.
I’ve learned a few things too.
- The business world tends to slow down in the summer months; new projects tend to pick up in the fall.
- Unless you’re already busy, which means everyone wants you do to their project immediately.
- Clients love to call when you are at an amusement park or painting your kitchen.
- Scheduling a business meeting causes children to get sick or injured right before you leave.
Yeah, it can be tough–but I wouldn’t trade this lifestyle for anything in the world.
Though a bigger office, with windows, would be really nice.
Posted: June 6th, 2010 under Uncategorized.