After a long career of working for corporations in an office setting, I have recently started a business that allows me to work from home. As a single mum, I wanted increased availability/flexibility to be with dd.
I'm struggling to find a balance. Previously, my work day was defined by the time I was physically at the office (with infrequent exceptions). Now, I seem to veer between ignoring work that needs doing (usually the more tedious stuff that isn't deadline sensitive), or ignoring dd because there's always something that needs doing for work. Don't know if it's the lack of formal structure, but some days I have trouble getting started, and some days I have trouble turning off.
I also find a strong temptation to Mumsnet more than I should when the job at hand is challenging (and I'm unsure about how to approach something), or boring (so I distract myself/procrastinate). Equally, the fact that I've only got to walk a few steps to be 'at work' means I tend to work instead of doing relaxing things at home - such as read a book for pleasure, or watch a telly show.
Other people who work from home - how do you manage to define the boundaries so you've got some semblance of a balanced life?