I ran into that age old problem again this week, the one that torments and bites at the heels of every working mum in the world, even those of us lucky enough to work from home – the elusive work-life balancing act.

Because here we are at the end of yet another holiday and I wish it was the beginning. Why? Am I not delighted that they are going back to school? Er, not really. You see, I’ve had so much work to do this week I feel that I’ve barely had a chance to say more than a passing ‘hi’ to the children, usually over meals.

The Joys, and Tribulations, of Working From Home
One of things I enjoy about working from home is that I get to structure my work time around spending time with my girls. Trouble is, because it’s my business, and like so many women who run their own business, my office is in the home or on my lap, I rarely get a whole work-free week off.

Don’t get me wrong, I love my work and wouldn’t change it for the world. I do feel extremely lucky to have the life I have – it’s what many women dream of (and if you are one of them who are eager to work from home, then do get in touch). And this week the girls have been fabulous, the clients lovely, the work enjoyable and even the weather was good. But I still find myself feeling a bit grumpy.

So Why is That?
The girls have enjoyed their week, both the trip away and when we got back, which has been packed with lots of extra treats, trips and outings with their father (he lives just at the end of the road), grandparents and godparents, balanced by enough time hanging out at home with the pets and their music and, of course, all the programmes and dvds they want to catch up on, as well as hanging out with their friends, so nothing to worry about there. Workwise, the clients are happy and business is good, despite the financial climate, so nothing to worry about there either. So all is well with my world, isn’t it?

Missing Out
Well, yes, except I feel I’ve missed out on spending a lump of work-free time with my girls yet again, and they’re growing up so fast – Cecily is well in to secondary school now, and Felice has less than a year to go before she leaves our beloved primary to join her sister. But perhaps I am just being selfish, after all I essentially spent all week with them even if I was working around them, which is more than most people can do when they are stuck in an office 9-5.

So how do other women cope when work deadlines overlap the school holidays? And is this a predominantly female issue, or do men have these hassles too? And more to the point, do you take your laptop or Blackberry on holiday - and if you do, is it just to check emails or do you actually wok as well?

Any comments or rants, please do join the conversation!

 

© Claire Burdett. No content to be reproduced without written approval of the author.

Claire Burdett is the Founder and Director of Funky Angel. She is a Writer, Journalist, and Editor, Integrated Marketing Expert, and Home Business Mentor.

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