As a mother and businesswoman, it is easy to want to please everyone all the time. This is simply not realistic. Sometimes prioritizing responsibilities is the only way to get through a day, week or month. There will be times when friends will ask you to join them at their child’s school play, colleagues asking for favors, friends who commute to an office asking that you watch their child after work until the sitter arrives. It is not considered improper etiquette to say no to friends and family if you simply cannot balance your own home and work life. Don’t be indecisive…Tell them up-front that due to your schedule with the kids and work, it just wouldn’t be realistic at this time.

Remember, you must put yourself first, and learning to say no to others will only assist in making you a more prudent decision maker when it comes to both your business and your family.

More Quick Tips:
Business Telephone Calls	Proper Introductions
Email Etiquette	Business Meetings in the Home
Are You Busy?	Life In Your Home Office
Unexpected Payments: To Accept or Not to Accept	When Your Healthy Home/Work Life Balance Is In Jeopardy
Dealing with Difficult People	Equal Share
Returning Phone Calls	Handling  Little Awkward Situations
Call Waiting Etiquette	Should I Take The Blame?
Networking Dilemma	It’s Not Your Job Title That Is Important….