When it comes to family, they do take my job seriously, it’s just that we’re naturally a noisy bunch, so they can’t help it if they suddenly barge in on me for a chat. I don’t really mind–there was a time when I could barely move my jaws because I went on for days without talking since I was holed up in my room working.

It’s usually acquaintances who ask me what I do who don’t respect my job. When I tell them I work at home, they seem to think that’s a euphemism for being unemployed.

The only time we had a little head-butting over my work was in the first few months after he retired, when I had to turn down a few opportunities to go off and play together because I had deadlines to meet. I had to make a point of letting him know what my workload was like, and it took awhile to get used to doing that – I was accustomed to running things on my own, without accounting or explaining anything to anyone during the day.

My family has always been supportive, and most of my friends have been, too (most of them are jealous of my freelance life!). I’ve occasionally had to say something like, “Can’t talk right now, am on deadline,” and have had to cancel or reschedule social outings, but I always tell people that my plans are subject to last-minute change.

It helps to have published work to show people – they take us more seriously that way. And it helps to just be firm and stand up for ourselves, although I know it isn’t always easy to do so.

Here’s to being taken seriously by friends and family!

Ruth T-C, Rochester, NY
http://www.writerruth.com

Right now my mom seems to be the only one who really gets it. In fact, I appreciate it when she does call and I answer, because she always asks me if I’m working, and if I tell her I am, she makes it short or says she’ll call back later if what she has to say isn’t important.

Now, let me explain answering the phone to begin with… If I see it’s mom calling, one of the kids or the school, I will answer just in case it’s an emergency, but those are about the only calls I answer — the rest go to voicemail.

My main problem is with hubby. He knows I work and contribute to the bills, but I guess he still fails to understand it all. When I ask him for help with the house or something, his response is, “I work all day.”
To which I reply, “I work too. Even though I don’t leave the house, I still work, pay my taxes and contribute to the bills.”

Errr… Maybe one day he’ll understand, or maybe he’s just being a typical male (no offense guys )

Sorry to hear about the friends who dropped you but good riddance. Real friends understand that you have your priorities. Would you drop in on someone’s office unannounced?

My guy works from home as well, so we’re mutually respectful of each other’s time and space. We go out for an hour lunch once a week, but just the fact that’s scheduled helps to minimize how much it looks like free time to others.

Unfortunately, a lot of employers have the misconception that change is bad, and if you let your employees out of the office, they’ll just slack off. What the employers don’t seem to get is that people who will slack off work outside the office are typically the same people who are easily distracted INSIDE the office….

I still wonder why more jobs aren’t work from home or at least offered as a telecommute a couple days a week.

My hubby works from home too, it’s nice to see other couples out there who have this arrangement as well. I find we have trouble, okay I have trouble, sticking to a schedule. Which then throws off his schedule. I am still guilty of trying to keep up with friends who have more time.

I hate the phone so that’s one issue I don’t have, but email has been my downfall.