Check out my guest post about virtual assistance this week over at Grant Griffiths’ Home Office Lawyer. Grant was kind enough to ask for a guest post from me – I just love his work! Grant also has a couple of other sites you may want to check out G2 Web Media and Home Office Warrior.

Have a wonderful long weekend everyone! I’m going to enjoy it – we’re having a birthday party for our just turned four year old and getting ready to send the biggest boy to grade one!

I was supposed to go back to my office job this fall, after maternity leave with my third child. People asked me why I didn’t want to go back, after learning that I had no plans to return. It was hard to truly explain to them why options like flex time or part-time didn’t really help me enough to make it worth returning. I should send them this great post from Chuck Newton – I Don’t Want No Freakin Flex Time- it might help a little more!!

Flex time, part-time, job-share – these “options” sound great in theory sometimes. But a 6 hour day instead of 8, with a two hour commute total is still a long day away from my family. And it still requires full-time childcare, even though now I’d be on a part-time salary! Plus I would give up some of my benefits, get treated differently by my bosses and co-workers and miss out on choice assignments that require a full-time employee.

Working from home as a virtual legal assistant was definitely a better option! I can fit the work into my schedule and just the elimination of the commute buys me so much time in the day. If you are thinking about working part-time or flexible hours at your job, so that you can have more time for you in the day, consider working for yourself as another option -it’s got a lot to offer!

Here are some pics I took with my new digital camera of my “two” home offices.

These first two pictures are from my basement office. It’s relatively organized and I love my two desks, one for thinking, bill paying, large projects and the usual computer desk with scanner, printer etc.

Really though, I do the majority of my work from my laptop in my living room. It’s easier to control the rest of my life from there (aka the three boys, lunches, dinner, letting the dog out!) Plus I personally find it nice and comfy to settle down with my laptop onto the sofa. The baby plays on the floor near my feet (or sleeps in the sling while I work!)

Soon my oldest is back to school and I’m going to set up a better routine for the rest of us so I can get my work done around naptimes, some home lessons for the preschooler etc. I really will use my basement office I think -especially since the toyroom is right next door, and in winter that does get used!

I love working from home!

I’m going to try and not work too much this weekend, we’re taking the kiddos to a waterpark and I need to finish getting organized for back to school (Sept 2!!) There’s always time for a little linksurfing and twittering though!!
Here are some links to peruse if you get a chance this weekend – and have a wonderful one!

From MasterMaq – where do we want free Wifi in Edmonton

Ooooh – just found this Alberta Blogs blog and I want to join – will be sending them an email!!

Good reminder from Gavin Craig at Minneapolis Business Lit blog

From Erin Blaskie – discussion of the VA Industry

Great post on capped fees from Law 21

Loved this one from Duct Tape Marketing on Social Media

Over at Build a Solo Practice, LLC is a great inspirational post about becoming an entrepreneur

Virtual Law Practice shares that virtual law offices are really catching on across several states now – yay!

Fluent Simplicity shares a great story about the power of Twitter

This video post from Freelance Parent over at Sparkplugging is a MUST watch

Create a Thriving Business has a wonderful post about how you MUST be online in to truly grow your business

Hope you enjoy some of these links and take care!