[ozonew4m]

As a freelance webmaster i am an absolute workaholic.. sometimes i can work from the time i wake up in the morning to the time i go to sleep at night.. now although my family fully understand this i sometimes feel guilty for not giving them enough attention..

can anybody give me any tips on handling my time to make time for my family and hopefully make my life run a little smoother?

and

does anybody else have the same problem?

[Flubb10]

I work for an internet company and I find myself on this thing more than I should. I think part of it is an addiction. What helps me is I try to do all my work while everyone is sleeping and when my kids get up I get off the computer and play with them and spend family time. I hope this helps.

[tater03]

I to work from home for the company I have worked for years. I try to do alot of my work at night or in the early morning. If I cannot then I sent aside like 2-3 hours during the day and the rest of the time is spent with the boys. After they go to bed I usually finish up what I didn't get done during those two hours during the day. It is hard especially now for me because my two boys are now home from school for the summer.

[northark]

Yes, the internet can be addicting but... one should always put family first. Always make time for your loved ones. If you lose a website, you can always make another. But if you lose a family member, they are gone forever. Spend quality time with family at least once a day, if you can. Watch a movie or play a game with them. When they see you are putting them first in your life they will be ecstatic and love you very much for it.

[NetPal]

As you have correctly specified the problem area, I think the best way to deal with this problem will be to spend quality time on what you are doing. If you are on Net then start your day with a list of jobs to-do. Try to finish them up as early as possible. In this way you can spend some extra time with your family.

[anarch]

I have exactly the same problem. It's so easy to spend the day, working away and then, to make matters worse, I also play on a game known as World of Warcraft (eeeevil but fun).

When I realized that I was spending almost all my time in front of a computer screen, I came up with some ideas that work really well for me:

1. DDR in the morning and evening ~ This is a video game, Dance Dance Revolution, where you dance to music and place your feet at corresponding squares to match up with arrows that fly along your screen. An incredible cardiovascular workout, it's an awesome way to work out, burn calories and do so without realizing you're not just playing and having fun. Both of my kids enjoy playing this with me so, not only do we spend an hour of family time then, but we also get a workout.

2. Go somewhere where you have no computer access ~ This week, my daughter went over to her friends' house to work on a costume for a convention they are going to. Meanwhile, I got my son to do up the breakfast dishes, we fed and watered the cat and then we hopped in the car and drove off to visit a historic village/art museum/botanical garden. It cost us $12 for the both of us to go and enjoy some fun away from the house and away from the computer screen and it was definately worth it.

3. Netflix yay! ~ Yes, I joined the thousands of people who subscribe to Netflix and I utilize it as a way for the family to get off the computers and spend time together. When we get a movie in the box, we know it's movie night and we are all hanging out together, no matter what. Even though my kids are 17 and 13, they look forward to it.

[silverstreak]

Ozone..I hear you. I think part of the workaholic mindset is a fear that if you stop, no one is going to be there to hand out a pay check. If this is the case, one of the things you might want to look into is investing your money to get a cushion. As soon as I did that, I felt better and less stressed because I knew I had an emergency supply. I think this would help all freelancers.

[silverstreak]

One other thing about investing is that one should spend at least one hour a day investigating stocks, if that’s what you choose to invest in, per day. Don’t ever trust a stockbroker totally to always be in the know. I had an ex-boyfriend who once told me to never let anyone person be in charge of your money and above all, to do your own research! I have challenged my stockbroker and he ends up laughing and saying, “you could be right.”

[silverstreak]

Anarch: in response to your post I totally agree with you. Parents should take the lead and spend time with their kids. This is how they stay out of trouble..by showing they care by spending time. It is a well known fact that those parents who do spend time with their kids makes a huge difference in their development. You also have to give your kids freedom to make their own mistakes..that’s how they get more self-assured in their independence as they get older. JMO

[carebear]

I just posted0.









































































Do family oriented things. Plan family activities and leave the phone at home. They understand now (so you think) but when they get older you'll reap what you're sewing.