Many of us find it very hard as Virtual Assistants and mothers to balance time for work and time for family. Perhaps the biggest problem is that as our business grows and we become more and more successful it is often at the expense of time with our children. It is at this time that it is crucial to remember just why you became a Virtual Assistant. For many of you I am sure the answer is the same as it is for me; to have a career that allows me to also be at home with my children.

So what is a successful Virtual Assistant to do? How do we run a successful business and be a fulltime mother (or father)? The answer is in finding a balance that works for you, your business and your family. Here are some ways to ensure that you can balance both:

Schedule around your family’s schedule
Make sure to schedule productive working time during school hours, naptimes and after the children have gone to bed for the evening. By productive working time, I am talking about the important client matters that require your full attention and focus. Also schedule time to return phone calls when the house is more likely to be quiet and you are less likely to be interrupted. This will allow you to maintain your professional image.

Enlist the help of others
Look to your support system and enlist the help of your spouse, older siblings, friends and grandparents to help during busy times. If you don’t have a nearby support system, enlist the help of a student or young adult as a “mother’s helper”. Why not find another working mom in your area and agree to trade play dates? Set up a system where you can take her children one day a week and in exchange she can take your children one day a week. Make sure that you utilize this time and whatever you do, don’t over utilize the services of a helpful friend or relative.

Get them involved in your business
Even if your children are young, explain to them about your business in terms they can understand. By understanding that you just aren’t “playing on the computer” they will be able to respect what you are doing easier. I know my son finds it very exciting to go to school and explain what a Virtual Assistant is to his friends. If your children are older, find small jobs that they can help you with such as filing, affixing stamps/labels, shredding papers, etc.. They will love to be a part of what you are doing and most children are just eager to spend time with you and love to feel that their parents want them to be a part of their business too.

Set time aside for family time
It will be much easier for your children to respect “work time” if you respect “family time”. Give your children your full attention when you are with them. If your idea of quality family time is putting on the TV while you are chatting with friends on the internet, it will be much harder for them to distinguish between work time and family time. If necessary utilize a timer to allow your child to begin to see the distinction between the two times. If you begin to spend quality time with your child they will be more likely to give you the space you need during work time.

Reward your children
Make sure that as your children learn the boundaries that you have set that you praise them and reward them for allowing you to get your work done and for not disturbing you during that time. By rewards I don’t mean buying them something every time that they are following your boundaries, I am talking about rewarding them with praise and extra quality time.

With a little creativity, some good scheduling and discipline on your part to follow these guidelines, not only will you have a thriving business, but also a thriving family.