Handling Working at Home with Family

[remilicious]

Hi guys! Anyone here working at home full time? I've had freelance jobs before but they weren't all the time homebased. A couple of days were rotated with field works, meetings and working at home. This is the first time that I've had a long term project that's entirely done remotely.

For those who have the same type of job, how do you handle it? Especially if you're still living with your parents, siblings or you have your own family? I have no problems with work itself but I find it hard sometimes to deal with my family since we're still living together in one house. It can be a bit disruptive sometimes when they're around and there are times when we're together most of the time which sadly leads to arguments.

We had renovations and there's a room that I plan to convert into a small home office. It was supposed to be ready a few weeks ago when I started this job but the deadline wasn't met. I feel that it would help me have my own personal space and also ease the tension that comes of being together all the time. I currently work at our dining area. So I guess that's where I need more advice on--dealing with them to avoid arguing and have that calm working space. I hope you guys can enlighten me.

[drag0nfly]

Hi remilicious.  Talk to your family and let them know you would appreciate it if they give you some space and quiet during your working hours, esp since as of now sa dining area ka muna nagtatrabaho.  And kung kaya mo din, try working opposite their hours.  Hindi naman siguro sila the whole day nasa bahay lang?  I work in an office, but I take home paperwork from time to time.  We don't have a table in our room, so I also usually work sa dining room/sa terrace.  I usually do that madaling araw para tahimik.  They understand sa bahay pag kelangan kong mapag-isa to do stuff, even my husband respects and gives me that alone time. 

But knowing family members, minsan papalya pa din yan and would be magulo from time to time, so remind mo lang sila.  Remind mo sila na work mo yan at importante na maka-function ka ng maayos.  I'm sure maiintindihan naman nila.

Good luck!

[mikelly]

I am also working at home for almost 2 years now.  My clients are US based and real-time that's why I work during my family's normal sleeping hours.  There are times that they are still up late or will wake up so early because of work and school.  I have trained my kid to be quiet especially if I have someone on the phone and she understands it even my husband.  It was difficult for them to adjust at first but I let them understand that they need to understand my work so I can be productive otherwise it might affect my performance.  So far they are able to adjust and im very thankful with that.  My daughter is independent and I appreciate how she is right now when I am busy.  Nakakatuwa nga lately when I am talking to my boss on the phone and she needed something she's doing some hand waves and actions to me. 

With regards to your situation, it would be better to explain to your family all about your job and it's impact if you're not able to concentrate.  Dalawa lang yan, if they understood, the better but if they didn't maybe you need to consider having your own place na malayo sa kanila. I think mas madaling i-please ang husband and kids instead of parents and siblings. 

[iampennylane]

Hi sis, yes tama sila, the best way talaga is to talk with your family and explain to them ng mabuti, if hindi pa kaya magkaron own working area mo sa bahay. I've been working at home since 2011 pero the thing is wala akong kasama sa bahay, only the kids and hubby (working outside during daytime). I trained my kids to also be quiet and behave when I am working and right now sanay na sanay na sila. Kaya I can work anywhere in the house. There were numerous times din na umuuwi kami ng province, and my whole family eh nakatira dun, 8 kaming magkakapatid so imagine the chaos, pero alam nila na pag shift ko eh kelangan behave din sila and quite if kaya Proper communication lang sis I'm sure they'll understand.

[phelps]

I've been working at home since 2009. Mahirap ang online jobs sa Philippines kapag hindi ka skilled. Dapat may alam kang skill and magaling ka sa time management

[khaleesiCersei]

Been working homebased full time for 4 years now. Maliit lang ang space namin sa bahay. Kahit sa province ganon din. But i use laptop kasi so pag may maingay pasok lang ako sa kwarto. Tsaka mostly chat or emails lang kami communicate ng clients, napakadalang naman sila kung tumawag so no need naman ng sobrang tahimik. Pero somehow na train ko din ang mga tao sa bahay na wag masyado maingay or magulo pag nakita nila ako nasa laptop. So far ok naman, cooperative naman sila hehe

[phelps]

sis how's the performance of your laptop? Dahil heavy use tayo, nakailang palit na din ako. Pag desktop kasi mas tumatagal pa din.

[khaleesiCersei]

^ok naman sis. Actually pangalawa ko na tong laptop ko, yung una kasi ang binili ko syempre yung mura lang. Ayun ang bagal haha! Hindi naman kasi ako techie kala ko dati pare pareho lang sila, hindi pala lol! Tapos nung nakaipon na ako ng bagong pambili, nag research ako ng konti online, majority sabi eh ok daw ang dell laptops. So far so good naman siya hehe