| There is no doubt that the benefits of being a | | | | Either take a brief time out or make it a routine |
| work-at-home parent outweigh the drawbacks. | | | | at the end of the day to hang your child's |
| However, some days can prove to be difficult | | | | masterpieces in your office. He will feel like he |
| when your two year-old is determined to climb on | | | | accomplished something that made you proud. Let |
| top of your filing cabinet while you're trying to | | | | your child help you tape his work on the side of |
| participate in an important conference call. | | | | your desk or up on the wall. You may be |
| Here are ten tips that can help make your life | | | | surprised by how intrigued your toddler is with |
| easier, and your little ones happier, while you work | | | | tape!A chalkboard is an easy, inexpensive addition |
| at home.Set up a little desk for your tiny | | | | to your home office that you may never need, |
| assistant in your home office, close enough for | | | | but your assistant-in-training will probably use it |
| you to keep an eye on him, but far enough away | | | | every day. If you buy the big sidewalk chalk, your |
| for you to focus on your work.Tell your child that | | | | toddler will be less likely to decide to taste the |
| he is your personal assistant-in-training and | | | | bright colored sticks. If he or she does try to |
| emphasize what a big deal it is for him to have | | | | take a bite, the chances of choking are reduced |
| this title and his own work area.Provide your child | | | | with these fat pieces of chalk. Make a production |
| with some tools similar to those on your desk. | | | | out of adding this new item to your office. |
| Carefully select only the safest items that are | | | | Pretend you need it to use it to record your daily |
| virtually indestructible. Your child's active | | | | business reminders. Your child will be more eager |
| imagination and natural curiosity can easily lead to | | | | to get his little hands on something he sees you |
| disaster if he gets his hands on the wrong | | | | using. One little warning: Although this cheap |
| gadget.Assign your new assistant with important | | | | addition to your office may offer a new outlet |
| job responsibilities. Young children love to imitate | | | | for your child's creativity, it will usually lead to the |
| adults, especially their parents. Depending upon | | | | need for a quick bath at the close of the business |
| what type of business you operate from home, | | | | day!There are a few items that are actually |
| you can dream up duties that mirror what your | | | | "toys,'' but may be able to pass for "tools" (similar |
| child watches you do every day.One duty that | | | | to the machines you use every day) to be added |
| may delight your toddler is opening mail. Give the | | | | to your new assistant's desktop. Various toy |
| child junk mail, advertisements or anything else | | | | companies manufacture mini-versions of adult |
| you don't want to read. Provide a little trashcan or | | | | products, like little battery operated computers, |
| place for him to pitch the envelope if that's what | | | | designed to teach your child the alphabet or |
| you usually do.Another job that may thrill your | | | | animal sounds; play telephones that ring by |
| child and can potentially occupy him for more than | | | | themselves and talk back to your child; and |
| an hour is organizing your out-dated files, old | | | | musical keyboards that perform tunes |
| business cards, duplicate copies, rough drafts and | | | | automatically and also allow your toddler to make |
| any other impertinent papers. The key to this little | | | | his own melodies. Your toddler may be content to |
| task is to place files to be organized in a basket | | | | imitate you with toys, like these, that look similar |
| or file bin and provide an empty desk drawer or | | | | or sound the same as your desktop |
| old briefcase for your toddler to transfer the | | | | devices.Depending upon the location of your |
| papers to and from - possibly repeatedly. If you | | | | office, layout of your house, and your child's level |
| can manage to concentrate on your work and | | | | of independence, you may be able to designate |
| coach your new assistant at the same time, you | | | | duties that require him to leave your office to go |
| may stimulate their thinking by beginning to count | | | | find a phone book for you, or to locate that big |
| the papers he or she is moving from the basket | | | | envelope that came in the mail the other day. |
| into the desk drawer.A must-have for your new | | | | You can purposely forget to collect all the items |
| little employee is a notepad or notebook similar to | | | | you will need to complete your job that day or |
| the type you use for taking notes, and crayons | | | | you can ask your little assistant to seek out |
| (if he or she will accept such a "childish" writing | | | | objects that you don't really have to have |
| implement.) Encourage your child to draw a | | | | immediately. Toddlers usually like to look for |
| picture for you and make sure you praise the | | | | things, especially when they think they are helping |
| final product. The more compliments he or she | | | | mommy or daddy. Be sure to thank your child |
| hears from you, the more your child will want to | | | | and compliment him for being able to find exactly |
| keep creating special drawings for you, or | | | | what you wanted! |
| Grandma and Aunt Jeannie and Uncle Timmy etc. | | | | |