The Internet is a wonderful place full of information about everything under the sun. You can spend hours there, even days. How many of you have spent a whole day on the Internet, found the house a mess and no dinner on the way, and really...you haven't accomplished a whole lot? Or you've accomplished quite a bit by finding a lot of new great ideas but now you are overwhelmed with all your ideas, you don't know what to do first?

Breathe!

You need to set goals and parameters to your work day. Argh! I know you hate the sound of that. You work at home not only because you want be home with your kids, but because you don't want a rigid schedule of a traditional workplace. Well, you can keep going the way you are but you will eventually burn out and you and your family will suffer for it. Is this your daughter to the right saying, "Hi Mom! Remember me?". Believe me, I am not trying to sound high and mighty - I am guilty of the very same thing. I think we all are to some degree.

Here are a few tips to help you gain control:

1. Set regular working hours. Make sure that your family understands that these are your working hours. If you need to have a babysitter come over or to take the kids out to the park, then do that. To be most productive, you need to have uninterrupted time at the computer.

2. Set goals and timelines but be reasonable. It doesn't all have to be done right away!

3. While you're on the Internet, don't lose focus. Do what you set out to do. If, along the way, you come across a great idea, bookmark it. To organize your ideas, you might want to keep a notebook of ideas for your web page and business. Put this new idea on your to do list. Don't start working on it right away. When you finish your original task, consult your to do list. Then, if you still think the idea is a good one, start working on it.

4. Turn your computer off, for goodness sake! Yes, the Internet is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, but you don't have to be. It is good to be available for your customers and contacts, but they will understand that you have working hours. If they do not, they may not be the kind of people you want to work with if they cause you undue stress.

5. Go outside once in a while! The fresh air is good for you. If you don't remember what fresh air is, then turn your computer off immediately and proceed to your front door. Open the door and breathe it in. Go for a walk. Do something.

Above all, don't lose sight of what's most important. You are a work at home mom because you want to there for your kids. Make sure that you are.