How to Work at Home with Your Spouse

Working at home with a spouse can be a challenge for most couples. If life has brought you to a place where you and your spouse both work from home, you need a plan. Sharing a work place, especially if you operate two separate businesses, can cause conflict and stress. Knowing how to complement each other is the key to working at home together successfully.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. **Have regular meetings**
   
   Sit down with your spouse weekly to discuss all areas of working at home. Discuss the telecommunications, internet access, mail delivery and privacy issues. Talk with each other on a regular basis about how the work at home plan is working out for each of you.

2. **Consider separate equipment**
   
   Buy a separate computer, printer, fax and modem. Sharing with your spouse may be difficult to accomplish. Have a backup computer for both of you just in case your primary computer crashes. Design an office space that is both comfortable and useful.

3. **Take lunch breaks together**
   
   Maintain a lunch schedule together. When possible, coordinate your breaks to sit down with each other and have a sandwich. Go out on the porch and relax during the lunch hour. If this is not possible, make sure to give your spouse a hug and kiss during the day.

[ruf1950]

on 6/29/2009 Another great article; thanks! 5*****