Your intentions are good.

Of course, they are!  But could you be neglecting your child without even realizing it?  Working from home can provide a good income for your family.  However, does it come with a price?  It can, yes.  If you put your work ahead of your child’s physical or emotional needs, the outcome could be undesirable. 

But I’m not neglecting my child!

Hey, my child is right there with me, within eyesight and earshot.  My child is well fed, clean, has nice clothes, and all the comforts of life.  So what’s wrong with that?

Is each child’s emotional and psychological needs different, though?

Absolutely.  All children are slightly different, even siblings from the same parents. Consequently, some  kids simply require or need more security than others.  Perhaps one child is shy; another is outgoing.

But I have to work, and my child just has to understand.

Children cannot be the center of attention all the time.  The bills must get paid.  “Go watch a movie while I work.  You see that door is closed?  That means I’m working.  Do not disturb me!”

But what does that message say to the child, though?  That they are less important than your work?  Or that they are just baggage in the way?  Further, that they do not  also deserve your time and  attention?

How can neglect of your child be spotted?

Observe your child’s behavior.  Are they  having an internal emotional response from feeling neglected?  Are they overeating?  Acting out?  Depressed?  Doing sneaky things?  Not wanting to be at home anymore?  Skipping school?  Making bad grades?  No interest in family activities?  Just want to be left alone?

RELATED:  American Academy of Pediatrics article.

Recognize the signs and admit that you might actually be inadvertently neglecting your child.

If so, stop and fix the situation before it gets out of control.  Apologize to your child for putting other  things ahead of their emotional needs.  After all, is that pile of extra money really THAT important?  Give some deep reflection of your own actions and reactions.  As a result, be the best parent to your child first and the best worker second.

At the end of the day, what’s most important?  Your work history or your child?

Please think carefully about that.  Will your clients produce fine grandchildren for you?  Be at your bedside when you are old and sick?  Even attend your funeral?  Highly unlikely and probably not.  But your child or children will. 

In Conclusion …

So try really hard to prioritize your time.  Become more organized, for instance.  Schedule one-on-one time with your child.  You don’t  want to look back years later with regrets.  Moreover, you don’t want to realize that you were guilty of neglecting your child in your quest of building a home-based business.