Mary Byers, you may remember from The S.O.S. for PMS – Practical Help and Relief for Moms review I did a few months back.  I really enjoyed her writing and insight she had given so I thought this book, Making Work at Home Work :  Successfully Growing a Business and a Family Under One Roof would be a great chance to see what other insights Mary has to share with us!   I like that she writes on a basic level that appeals to me – it’s as if we’re having coffee and we’re discussing it together!

Mary picks a great topic with this book and it’s something  that I’ve tried and failed at or struggle with now to do, or give up and try again — which is of  course to work for pay at home, while raising my children.  Let’s see what have I tried… I’ve done Avon, I’ve done books, health products, and of course my never ending attempt at peddling my art!  Of course there is that freelance graphics stuff I do.. hmmm add the computer stuff on there.. and  I’ve probably missed a few things, but you get the picture.   I’ve had a hard time just “being” home with the kids (and I say that with no disrespect because I know being at home with the children and doing it successfully is one of, if not the hardest job on the face of this earth and I don’t know why I torment myself with trying to throw on another project!)

The book is broken into two sections; Section 1: Saving Your Sanity and Section 2: Preserving Your Profit. Each section highlights different women and her insight to what she’s learned through it all.

Mary includes a lot of research and has personally worked through a lot of the issues herself, which provides her with  some great insight to the challenges and issues working at home mothers face.  I appreciate Mary’s insight and honesty while addressing the subjects.  She admits that finding balance was “sorely lacking” in the beginning, which really gives me hope!  I’m not the only one!

I really appreciate the first chapter quote:
“…when you think of yourself as an at-home CEO, you’re more likely to manage your business like one.  You’ll control it rather than letting it control you.”

I know several ladies (myself included) who have let their work get out of hand because they used some of the points that Mary brings out her book… thinking we’re not worth the credit, oh it’s just “extra”, or I just enjoy the work.

If we’re going to run a business we need to act and think like we own it because we do!

In chapter two Mary hits the heart of the problem (for me anyhow!) – Why are you working?  Some of the reasons people said were:

• mental stimulation, income, extras, wanting a break, feeling pressure, enjoy meeting others…

It was really interesting to see that list because I see a lot of reasons why I want to work in that list and never really vocalized it before. It sure helps to understand why you want to work!

I could go into a lot more detail because this book is full of useful information, but  all in all, I think this book is an essential tool for anyone who plans to work at home and make it work. It will give you a lot of tools and advice that you’re not going to find in regular business guides or even business school (university doesn’t cover this, unless it’s changed since I went!)

What I love is that Mary in all her wisdom, even included a “quick and easy dinner recipes for work-at home moms” in the appendix.  I have to laugh because only a mom whose “been there” knows how much we need this!

Sound like a great book?

Here’s your chance to win a copy! (or another one of Mary’s books–your choice) AND a $25 Amazon gift certificate (for some WAHM essentials – Day Planner, bubble bath, funky file-folders, toddler DVDs)!  Just click on the link below to the Making Work at Home Work website:

http://www.makingworkathomework.com/2009/04/making-work-at-home-work-blog-tour.html

Check out Mary’s site at: http://www.marybyers.com

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