Business Basics: How Back to School Alters Your Work Schedule

By Jennifer Goldberg, mom, writer & editor of The Cultured Bohemian

Right now, I am building my own brand, Cultured Bohemian, and planting the seeds for it to become a business. I actually started my blog about estate and garage sales because I have a chance to write a book on the same subject. In fact, I have also been recently offered airtime on a local cable channel to host a show based on my blog. My days are about to get very busy.

However, I’m used to my kids’ schedule dictating my day, and accommodating their various doctor’s appointments and social calendars. After these years of chasing them around, it kind of feels like an annoyance to have to show up somewhere on time, maybe even have to wear professional business attire (instead of sweats), and cater to deadlines that have nothing to do with my family’s needs and wishes.

But if I have to show up somewhere dressed nicely or meet a deadline in order to build my business, that is what I will do. I’ll just need a little help now that my daughter is starting school. I started talking first with my husband to see how he can help me. I wanted to get him on the same page as I am. We spoke about different scenarios regarding how he might have to leave his job early to pick up the kids, or stay home at times when they are sick if I have an important appointment. He was fine with these things because he knows how important this new opportunity is for me. He just can’t have an important meeting the same day as I do!

I also think that in order for this back-to-school, return-to-work, transition to go smoothly, I need to speak to my daughter and tell her what the schedule is every day. My kids need some sort of schedule and if something changes and I can tell my older child beforehand, shell be ok with it. For example: if I can’t pick her up, I would always tell her who is and when I will be at home. If I need to go to work, even for an hour, I tell her and let her know when I will be back. I let her know what’s happening after her nap and who she has playdates with. So far, this works great.

The best bet for me is to be home when my kids are home at the end of their day. They won’t care what I’m doing while they’re at school as long as I’m there for them and have a snack waiting!