Increase Productivity: Go for a walk

Keep your sanity and recharge yourself with a daily walk. Just go, even if you have a pile of work that needs your attention and cranky kids who aren't listening. Bundle them up if it's cold, and get outside. The walk will do wonders for you and for them.
Today, the kids and I went on a short hike down our dirt and gravel road. We didn't quite make it to the lake, more because I was unsure about the hike back up a steep hill with a baby on my back than anything else.
The walk provided an opportunity to learn more about our environment, as we watched buzzards circling overhead and I explained that there was a dead animal in the vicinity. We discussed the leaves covering the forest floor, and the melted snow. My 4-year-old son commented on the neighbors' houses as we passed, listing the occupants he knew.
Yes, I left behind papers that needed grading and articles that begged to be written, but I returned with a peaceful spirit and a sleeping baby. The kids, their energy released, were content to play with Legos as I went back to the computer.

Work at Home Schedules: Do they work?

As a work at home mom (WAHM) with two preschoolers and a baby, I know first hand how hard the balancing act can be. And I know how much I need a good work at home schedule. As I type, I have my cranky 8-month-old baby in a carrier on my back. He's been fed and changed and is sleepy. It's time for his nap, but he can't fall asleep because of the noise being generated by his older brother and sister, who are happily sliding down the stairs on a blanket -- harmless enough, except for the loudness factor.

They are happily occupied, so I'd rather not redirect their energies at the moment (that approach has been known to backfire). At 4 and 3, respectively, my son and daughter have each other for constant companions and this works to my advantage--most of the time.

I've tried making work at home schedules. They usually begin with me arising at 5:30 to begin grading English papers for my first work at home job. These perfect work at home schedules also show a two-hour slot where everyone is napping (except me) and I am, in theory, able to get all of my writing done during those magic hours.

But in reality, my kids don't follow my work at home schedule. And if they are up in the middle of the night, I have a hard time following it too. (Why on earth did I set the alarm for 5 a.m.?! Snooze!)

I have learned that I can't force the perfect work at home schedule. Some days, everything clicks and it really happens. But more often than not, I have to fit my work in around children's needs (and they do come first, at least in my book), dinner prep and housekeeping (usually the first thing I let slide). I follow the flow of the day more than try to harness it into my Day Planner. I have a list of objectives, and try to accomplish the most important each day. But as yet, the perfect work at home schedule is not a reality...or maybe, in some way, it is, just not the way I'd expected.

And now the baby has fallen asleep, his head resting against the back of my neck. Time for me to get a few more papers graded. What's on your schedule?

More work-at-home freelance writing ideas

It's a little late for this year, but file away the idea for next October and make some money Writing Santa Letters for kids. You can split the proceeds with a charity if you like.

Have you checked out the Work At Home Mom (WAHM) web forum? I like to frequent the "Moms Who Write" folder and have found some great ideas there.

Here is a great article and compilation of resources to help you learn How to Get Paid to Blog online. If you already blog or are interested in blogging, why not find out how to get paid to blog at the same time? You can monetize your own blog or get paid to blog for national companies.

Work from Home Writing eHow Articles

Here's a good side job for work at home writers: eHow. While the upfront pay is nonexistent (payments are made in the month following earnings, and only once $10 or more is due), there is the potential for long-term passive income. Through the Writer's Compensation Program at eHow, writers can earn revenue indefinitely for their articles, according to eHow.

While the specific criteria for earning payment is ambiguous, the more page hits and ad revenue an eHow article generates, the more money the author makes. Writers can track how much each article is earning through their "My Earnings" section of the website.

I wrote my first eHow article (well, the first one under my account) just over a month ago. To date, How to Conceive Twins has earned over $12.

So here's another eHow for you: How to Create Passive Income Writing eHow Articles. Enjoy!

Welcome!

My Work at Home Mom blog will showcase work-from-home opportunities as well as offer tips and at the same time, share the author's experiences as a WAHM (that's Work at Home Mom in webspeak).

Please comment, add a link to your own related blog, and share ideas of topics you'd like to see covered.

Enjoy!