For instance, beau just said, “you know I’m going to call you today… maybe not every 10 minutes but will every 30 minutes work for you? I know you’re busy, but I’m going to call anyway.”

Huh? 😉

I had something really profound I was going to say (I know I did) but instead, here’s all I got…

Hire a maid!

You both deserve it

Happy Trails,

James

I do however have the issue of friends wanting me to watch their kids, and pick up their kids, etc. And the phone calls, usually my mom, “You’re on your computer right? Can you look this up for me?”

Thankfully it’s not as bad as it used to be, but I think a lot of that is because I finally started saying, “Yes, I am busy. No, I don’t have time to do that for you today.”

I like to help out so I was always inclined to say, sure I can do that for you. Sure no problem, I can work later. I just finally had to take a step back and stand up for my business so to speak.

That was a mistake, I liked doing shopping and cooking and laundry when it was a novel thing to help out on a day off. When its a resposibilty hanging over my head everyday, not so much

I have continued to do it because that was the deal. Tonight I think I will make pork chops!

I’d like to think hubby is forgetful to the point he needs to get it off his mind while it is still there – but sometimes I know he is just bored and needs human contact. Don’t get the idea he’s on the road all week – he is home nearly every night and on weekends! But when he asks me the night before what my plans are the next day – and then calls in the morning asking again – GEEZ!

Stephanie, my household would have starved that night – or better yet – they would’ve left the house for dinner out and I would have been able to utilize that time more productively!

Mr. & Mrs. Beaman’s story gives us all something to learn from and strive for — congratulations on your successes!!

I had been up all night the night before, then I had worked hard all day and was trying to meet a deadline that had been interrupted by kids, graduate school, and stuff. About 6pm I asked my husband if he and his daughter (my step daughter whom I normally call “my” daughter — but the distinction is relevant here) if they minded just being on their own tonight. She was 15, and he was over 50, so I thought they can handle it! LOL

He said “sure” — mind you he was playing a game on his computer. Now don’t get me wrong, my husband is wonderful, helpful, cleans the kitchen, and does help. In fact he cooked dinner nightly when I was a preschool director!

About Eight PM, his daughter comes out of her room and looks at me, then looks at him, and he looks at me and says “I’m hungry” and his daughter said “me too” and I said “I told you two to get yourself something two hours ago, I’m busy trying to meet a deadline.”

My husband, who fancies himself a liberal feminist, says, “I WORKED ALL DAY!” While making the “hulk” pose. His daughter, went to her room and slammed the door.

Not having time or the heart to fight, I got up, fixed dinner, served his daughter, then served him. ( I could not eat and did not set the table since no one cleaned it off or bothered setting it)

As I gave him his plate I smiled and said “Since I don’t WORK all day, or all NIGHT, I won’t be transferring any money from the business account to the personal account for bills this month.” Mind you, in cash money I earn more than my husband. He has the “insurance” job, but in terms of cash, I make more. So, this would kind of hurt.

I proceeded to go back to work, and I worked until 3am. My husband goes to bed about 9pm and gets up at 5 for work. I went to bed and he was awake. He hugged me and said he was very sorry, he’s a jerk, and it won’t ever happen again. It mostly has not, at least not that way. I do have to make chore lists, and plan meals or it’ll all be me.

So, the best way to deal with being H.O.M.E. but “not” home, well you gotta Show Them The Money. In addition, put your foot down, draw a line in the sand, and just don’t let them get away with it! 🙂

Yeah, Michele, ya gotta laugh, right?

I read once somewhere that every distraction from work triples in time… something like that.

I know each phone call I get from Hubby isn’t just about the 5 minutes it takes, but the 15 minutes it takes me to get back on track. I don’t like to ignore his calls completely, so even if I don’t pick up immediately, I call back eventually. So… there’s that.

Hubby IS learning to be more selective about the things he calls me about. But, I think his “when you’ve got a minute” lead-in still indicates that he hasn’t figured out that the call could have waited if he’s telling me “when you’ve got a minute.” Like Nicole said, it may be more about him thinking he’ll forget if he doesn’t call me right away. I’m not sure, but I’m trying to be understanding AND assertive about my work time at the same time.

No matter what, valuing work-at-home time just as much as work-outside time is an interesting topic. Sort of fun, too, eh?