A Real Job
A few months ago I took on a part-time seasonal job just to help us get through the holidays and take some pressure off the business as my main source of income since we are still battling that Panda update. I thought it was a great idea at first. I could get out of the house, meet new people, and learn new skills. The surprising thing I learned through all of this is that my family treats my part-time job as more important than my business. I write my work schedule on the calendar every week so we can all know where I will be, I never did this with the hours I work on my business. I’ve never had set hours, it’s always been 24/7. When my family sees my part-time work schedule they all work around it. But they don’t treat the time I need to spend on my business that way. In fact, my kids were shocked that I couldn’t take them roller-skating the other day, my excuse was, I have to work, their reply – no you don’t, it’s not on the calendar.
I never realized that by working from home and adjusting my schedule around theirs, that they wouldn’t realize that my business is a real job too. Just because I don’t have a set schedule and I don’t have a boss doesn’t mean that my business isn’t a real job and my actual career.
In the beginning when my kids were younger I didn’t want them to feel like all I did was work. I tried really hard to balance my time with them and with my business so they would know they were always my first priority. They are 10 years old now, and I think it hurts that they don’t realize how important my job in my business is. Financially we would be in a lot of trouble without that job.
I am leaving my part time job in just a few weeks. My spouse and kids are excited for me to finally have a break. I don’t really know what they think a “break” is for me is but I guess I will soon see.
3 Comments
Margaret Meder says:
Interesting observation!!! I am going to post a calendar with my work at home hours and see how it works. Thanks for sharing.
Nicki Green Vigil says:
I completely know what you mean. I had an online business for 10 years and despite the fact it was a very profitable business and our primary source of income it felt like they treated it like a hobby and like that last priority for them and they didn't understand the amount of time it took and that when mommy is sitting at her computer she isn't playing like they are on thye xbox!!
RandiSargent says:
Too funny, my family too. I've run my own e-commerce biz since 2008 (world headquarters at my home!) and I finally get some respect from my husband and kids now that I've taken on a part time position outside my home. I guess they see as me being sequestered at my computer in my home office and hold it against me!
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