| A couple years ago, my daughter told me I wasn't a | | | | matchbox cars, a board game, or silly dancing to a |
| "fun mom." Granted, the comment came when I was | | | | favorite CD. Do that a couple of times throughout the |
| busy with something and it wasn't possible for me to | | | | day. And stay true to your word - when you hear that |
| drop what I was doing and play with her. But I'll admit, | | | | "ding," drop what you're doing. Let him know he's the |
| the comment still stung. | | | | priority. |
| Of course, because I work at home, there will certainly | | | | 3. Make lunch time a fun time. Use the hour to involve |
| be times when I have to say no. There is work that | | | | your child in making sandwiches and setting the table. |
| needs to be done and my kids need to learn that the | | | | Leave the paperwork in the office and focus on your |
| world doesn't completely revolve around them. But, are | | | | child. Ask her questions about things she enjoys - like |
| there times when I am so consumed with my work | | | | what she's named her latest WebKinz or what |
| that "no" becomes an automatic response to my kids' | | | | happened on her favorite television show this morning. |
| pleas to play? Do I need to lighten up? Have I | | | | 4. Put him to work! We're not talking child labor, here. |
| forgotten how to become a fun mom? | | | | But, if possible, involve your child in your work. Of |
| As any work-at-home mom knows, balancing work | | | | course, the work needs to be age-appropriate. A |
| and motherhood is not easy! But, at the end of the | | | | three-year old can put paper in the recycling bin. A five |
| day, would I rather say I got each of the twelve things | | | | year old is able to stamp envelopes. A ten year old |
| done on my to-do list? Or that I took some time to pay | | | | can do some filing. You may get more work done this |
| attention to the needs of my child? | | | | way, or less, but involving your child will be priceless. |
| Here are five ways you can get your work done and | | | | 5. LAUGH! Take a moment to tell your daughter a silly |
| still be considered a "fun mom." | | | | joke. Relive a funny moment from the past. Have a |
| 1. Take a Time Out. When your child is pleading with | | | | five minute "tickling spree." If hearing your child's |
| you to play with her, take a moment to consider | | | | laughter doesn't get you started, nothing will. Besides |
| whether she may be desperate for time with you. A | | | | the "fun" factor, laughing reduces stress and ups the |
| child can only go so long without some quality time with | | | | immune system - an added benefit for you both! |
| her mom. Take a half an hour break to spend playing | | | | Working at home and being a fun mom can go |
| a game, drawing a picture, or taking a walk around the | | | | hand-in-hand. It's all about balance. But when you find |
| block. | | | | the scale tipping a little too far on the work side, your |
| 2. Set the timer. Tell your child you will set the timer for | | | | child may just remind you that it's time to step away |
| one hour. When the timer goes off, it will be time to | | | | for a moment or two. And don't forget to grab that |
| play. You will then set the timer for twenty minutes | | | | FUN hat on your way out of the office door. |
| and play whatever it is he wants to play, whether it's | | | | |