The PROs and CONs of Kids Being Home For the Summer
                      by Janice Byer, CCVA, MVA
                      Docu-Type Administrative & Web Design Services
                       
                      Summer…we all look forward to it. Warm sunshine, spending time in the garden, lazing by the pool, and having the kids home….everyday! 
                      For home-based business owners, having the children home allows us to spend more time with them but it also means that we have less time to get our work done. 
                      There needs to be a little give and take, even if they include some pros and cons:
                      Try designating a certain portion of the day to spend having fun with the children, 
                      then work a little extra after they have gone to bed. 
                  
                    
                      
                        
                          PRO - some much needed quality time with the kids
                          CON - a little less sleep and private (adult) time for yourself 
                    
                    
                      
                      Enroll the children in day camps or a day care.                      
                    
                      
                        
                        PRO - they are enjoying themselves and out of the house
                        CON - it can be very costly which may not be feasible                      
                    
                    
                      
                      Register them in a program sponsored by your local community center, library, parks department, school or museum.                      
                    
                      
                        
                        PRO - more cost effective and the kids are learning and having fun
                        CON - their schedules may not coincide with yours and there is sometimes parent involvement required                      
                    
                     Set a schedule of household chores that the kids are responsible for while they 
                      are on vacation. 
                    
                      
                        
                        PRO - keeps them busy giving you an hour or two to get some work done
                        CON - things may not always be done the way you would like, not to mention, children are not always keen on doing housework and chores                      
                    
                    
                      
                      Outsource some of your non-essential, non-revenue generating office tasks to an off-site administrative assistant.                      
                    
                      
                        
                        PRO - you can rely on your work being done by an experienced professional, and you have much more time to spend with the kids
                        CON - well…..there are no cons! Outsourcing is the best answer for all small and home-based business owners who need more time, either for building their business or to allow them to have a life outside of work                       
                    
                    
                      Having the children off school during summer vacation doesn't mean your business needs to suffer. You just need to schedule and allow someone else to help you.