| There is no doubt that the benefits of being a | | | | and Aunt Jeannie and Uncle Timmy etc. Either take a |
| work-at-home parent outweigh the drawbacks. | | | | brief time out or make it a routine at the end of the |
| However, some days can prove to be difficult when | | | | day to hang your child's masterpieces in your office. |
| your two year-old is determined to climb on top of | | | | He will feel like he accomplished something that made |
| your filing cabinet while you're trying to participate in an | | | | you proud. Let your child help you tape his work on the |
| important conference call. | | | | side of your desk or up on the wall. You may be |
| Here are ten tips that can help make your life easier, | | | | surprised by how intrigued your toddler is with tape!A |
| and your little ones happier, while you work at | | | | chalkboard is an easy, inexpensive addition to your |
| home.Set up a little desk for your tiny assistant in your | | | | home office that you may never need, but your |
| home office, close enough for you to keep an eye on | | | | assistant-in-training will probably use it every day. If you |
| him, but far enough away for you to focus on your | | | | buy the big sidewalk chalk, your toddler will be less |
| work.Tell your child that he is your personal | | | | likely to decide to taste the bright colored sticks. If he |
| assistant-in-training and emphasize what a big deal it is | | | | or she does try to take a bite, the chances of choking |
| for him to have this title and his own work | | | | are reduced with these fat pieces of chalk. Make a |
| area.Provide your child with some tools similar to those | | | | production out of adding this new item to your office. |
| on your desk. Carefully select only the safest items | | | | Pretend you need it to use it to record your daily |
| that are virtually indestructible. Your child's active | | | | business reminders. Your child will be more eager to |
| imagination and natural curiosity can easily lead to | | | | get his little hands on something he sees you using. |
| disaster if he gets his hands on the wrong | | | | One little warning: Although this cheap addition to your |
| gadget.Assign your new assistant with important job | | | | office may offer a new outlet for your child's creativity, |
| responsibilities. Young children love to imitate adults, | | | | it will usually lead to the need for a quick bath at the |
| especially their parents. Depending upon what type of | | | | close of the business day!There are a few items that |
| business you operate from home, you can dream up | | | | are actually "toys,'' but may be able to pass for "tools" |
| duties that mirror what your child watches you do | | | | (similar to the machines you use every day) to be |
| every day.One duty that may delight your toddler is | | | | added to your new assistant's desktop. Various toy |
| opening mail. Give the child junk mail, advertisements or | | | | companies manufacture mini-versions of adult |
| anything else you don't want to read. Provide a little | | | | products, like little battery operated computers, |
| trashcan or place for him to pitch the envelope if that's | | | | designed to teach your child the alphabet or animal |
| what you usually do.Another job that may thrill your | | | | sounds; play telephones that ring by themselves and |
| child and can potentially occupy him for more than an | | | | talk back to your child; and musical keyboards that |
| hour is organizing your out-dated files, old business | | | | perform tunes automatically and also allow your |
| cards, duplicate copies, rough drafts and any other | | | | toddler to make his own melodies. Your toddler may |
| impertinent papers. The key to this little task is to place | | | | be content to imitate you with toys, like these, that look |
| files to be organized in a basket or file bin and provide | | | | similar or sound the same as your desktop |
| an empty desk drawer or old briefcase for your | | | | devices.Depending upon the location of your office, |
| toddler to transfer the papers to and from - possibly | | | | layout of your house, and your child's level of |
| repeatedly. If you can manage to concentrate on your | | | | independence, you may be able to designate duties |
| work and coach your new assistant at the same time, | | | | that require him to leave your office to go find a phone |
| you may stimulate their thinking by beginning to count | | | | book for you, or to locate that big envelope that came |
| the papers he or she is moving from the basket into | | | | in the mail the other day. You can purposely forget to |
| the desk drawer.A must-have for your new little | | | | collect all the items you will need to complete your job |
| employee is a notepad or notebook similar to the type | | | | that day or you can ask your little assistant to seek |
| you use for taking notes, and crayons (if he or she will | | | | out objects that you don't really have to have |
| accept such a "childish" writing implement.) Encourage | | | | immediately. Toddlers usually like to look for things, |
| your child to draw a picture for you and make sure | | | | especially when they think they are helping mommy or |
| you praise the final product. The more compliments he | | | | daddy. Be sure to thank your child and compliment him |
| or she hears from you, the more your child will want to | | | | for being able to find exactly what you wanted! |
| keep creating special drawings for you, or Grandma | | | | |