How to Not Become a Free Babysitter When Working from Home

Do you work from home or would you like to? If so, you should always plan on interruptions. Often times, these interruptions involve a friend or relative who just wants to talk, but you may also find others looking for a free or a last minute babysitter. For tips on how to make sure that you are not that individual, please continue reading on.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Phone with Caller ID
• Answering Machine

1. Make It Known You Work from Home
   
   Unfortunately, when many individuals hear the phrase “work from home,” they automatically envision you lounging around home in your pajamas watching television. Of course, this isn’t what working from home is all about. Make sure those around you know this.
   
   If you must, go into detail about what you do from home. For example, tell a friend or a family member that you are a web content writer, a website designer, a virtual assistant, and so forth.
   
   Explaining exactly what you do should (hopefully) eliminate any visions of you in your pajamas in front of the television.
2. Caller ID Rely on Caller ID
   
   If you have caller ID, be sure to use it. When you are working from home, you do not have to answer the phone. Screen your calls. If it is a true emergency, that person will either keep on calling or leave you a message.
3. Be Short, But Polite
   
   If you do take a call from a friend or a relative and if you suspect they will ask you to baby-sit and you don’t want to, state that you are busy right away. For example say “Hi. I only have a few minutes to talk because I am working, but what’s going on?” This should do the trick.
4. Establish Ground Rules
   
   If you do offer to watch the children of someone that you know a few times, be sure to set ground rules. Make it known that you cannot be available every day of the week. State specific days that you could be available if needed. This should eliminate you as always being the go-to last minute babysitter.
5. Do Not Offer to Multi-Task
   
   One approach that some work-at-home parents take is saying “well, I would have to work too.” If you are a parent yourself, you may think that this automatically eliminates you as a babysitter candidate, but don’t count on it. You may be surprised what some parents will do in a crunch for daycare.