The Top 10 Ways to Support Your Work-from-Home Partner

Originally Submitted on 12/29/2002.

Working from home, running a home-based business, is not as easy as many people suspect. It has its own set of challenges, not least of which is, for some people, the attitude of a partner who works at some place other than home. Surrounded as that person is by people whose urgency and pressures tend to focus on the importance of what is being done at that workplace, it is easy to slide into an attitude that says that the work-from-home (WFHP) partner's job is less important. This can be damaging to the relationship, and harmful to the other partner's self-confidence.

Here are some ways to avoid this.

1. Don't condescend.

Particularly if the WFHP has previously been a full-time parent, it is easy to think of the home-based business as more like a hobby, to be smiled about in an "Isn't it nice that it's giving him/her something to do" way. Remember that the individual may well be fulfilling a lifetime ambition, or is at least trying to make a contribution to the household. This makes the endeavor important to them – let it be important to you, also.

2. Respect hours and boundaries.

The WFHP has commitments that need to be fulfilled if the business plan is to be carried out. Requests like "Oh, I forgot to drop my pants off at the cleaners, could you do it?" imply that they should not be entitled to set boundaries around their time and space.

3. Accept their schedule, don't impose yours.

An automatic assumption that their schedule is more flexible than yours for vacations or other trips implies, again, that what you do is the more important of the two.

4. Offer areas where you can help but do not try to impose your advice.

You may be rubbing shoulders with corporate lawyers, strategic advisors, financial wizards and CEOs. It may seem natural that you should impart the wisdom gained from these folks, and from your own experience, to the WFHP, and this information may be immensely helpful. Just be sure that it is welcome. If the WFHP is trying to establish a space and a domain for him/herself, any unsought intrusion may seem to imply that the person is not competent.

5. Recognize that they work.

You are probably not the one who had a hard day, who may have dealt with difficult people, who may be facing tough deadlines.

6. Keep your stuff from invading their space.

A business needs its own space. This is a legitimate need. If it involves carving out an inviolate space from somewhere in the house, let the entire household problem-solve about it, and then be sure that everyone respects the boundaries that are established.

7. Do your share of chores, and child and pet hours.

Does the dog need to be walked? The child taken to music lessons? Do you in some way imply that your job leaves you too busy for such chores, and that the WFHP's business allows plenty of time for them? Consider whether these chores are a part of the whole household. Yes? And that includes you?

8. If there is a financial imbalance, don't behave as if you are the only breadwinner, treat as an investment.

If the home based business is successful, it can eventually contribute nicely to the family budget. Obviously it will not do that from day one – it takes time to build a business. The MFHP will probably feel a bit guilty about this lag time – be sure that you do not exacerbate these feels. Be reassuring. Look forward to the day when this time of investment of time and money will pay off, and express confidence that it will do so.

9. Speak about his/her business to others with respect and enthusiasm.

It is all too easy to speak condescendingly even when not meaning to, if a business is new, and perhaps has only one client. If you are already a successful business person, your own ego may lead you to not want to associate yourself with something so small. Yet that attitude can be offensive to WFHP – and s/he will almost certainly become aware of it sooner or later.

10. If and when it is appropriate, be willing to share your network of contacts with your partner.

Again, make the offer, but never imply that the home based business cannot succeed without your help. Just make the offer, and leave it there. Remember that the WFHP is the CEO of the business, and has the right to make the decisions even if you do not agree with them.

---

About the Submitter

This content may be forwarded in full, with copyright, contact, and creation information intact, without specific permission, when used only in a not-for-profit context. For other uses, permission in writing from CoachVille is required. Questions: email topten@coachville.com

Please use your browser controls to close this page & return to the selection page, or click to return to Top 10 home page.