Making Phone Calls When the Kids are There

The phone call comes in from your dream client when your four-year-old pinches your two-year-old over ownership of a particular toy. The ensuing chaos causes your Golden Retriever to start barking. You dream client makes a hasty excuse to end the call while you try to salvage the call with some semblance of professionalism.

While this story may seem amusing, it is reality for many work-at-home moms. But what can you do to prevent an outburst like above?

Create a goodie box. This is a box containing special toys or treats, that are only allowed when mom is on an important telephone call. They can either be used during the phone call, or as a reward for quiet behavior. You can also stock a juice box and a snack to quietly deal with any "I'm hungry" or "I'm thirsty" requests that will inevitably come. And be sure to rotate what is in the box to keep it fresh, new and exciting. If it is the same toys in there that have been there for the past year and a half, they will quickly lose their appeal to a four-year-old.

Have a special office space set up with either a toy phone or a real phone that is unplugged. Your child can mimic your phone conversation and take "notes". You can even buy a phone pad for a child who is learning to write so he or she can take "messages."

If it is convenient, make phone calls during naptime or while watching a favorite show. Just be sure you do not use the television as a baby sitter.

If it is in your budget, invest in a cordless phone if you don't already have one. Many a disaster can be averted when you are mobile. And if worse comes to worse and your children are older, it can be used to shut yourself into a quieter room such as a bathroom or the garage.

Get an answering machine and use it. It is better for your customer to get a professional message on your answering machine than to hear your screaming toddler in the background. Just be sure to return your phone calls in a timely manner once you have a quiet moment.

About Us | Contact Us | Submission Guidelines |Privacy policy
Copyright 2001-2012