We’re on a perpetual quest for balance. It’s challenging managing your career before kids come into the picture—and even more so after you start a family. Being a parent isn’t easy under any circumstances, but as a REALTOR®, things can be especially difficult with the long hours and unpredictable schedule. As many people look for nontraditional or freelance options in the pursuit of flexible working hours, the real estate industry provides numerous opportunities.
For all of you parents juggling, Sue Long, CRS, of Keller Williams Realty in Corvallis, Oregon, has been there. She shares a few pieces of advice that can make things a little easier.
1) Let your clients know when you have other “appointments” and work your client meetings and showings around them. My children’s ball games, field trips and teacher conferences all were appointments for my family.
2) Know when you have the most serenity in the house (like nap time or early mornings when your kids are asleep) and focus on your “top 20%” activities during that time, or the most important things to get done to make sure you are creating income for your family.
3) Show kids the value of hard work. I always took them to pick out a gift at the toy store if they helped me.
When they were young, they helped by doing simple chores around the house, being good with a babysitter, etc.
When they were older, they helped by telling their friends about my real estate business and creating a customer.
We even paid them by the hour when they helped deliver newsletters, stuffed envelopes, put together pop-bys and did more helpful chores around the house such as driving the younger ones to school, shopping or cooking meals. We matched any money they put into the bank for later and they had to buy all their own clothes or gifts for friends. They learned to be very resourceful and have become the best shoppers and value-finders—including finding great buys at Goodwill.
This all created very independent, confident kids who understand the value of money and their value in the family and community. All are successful: One is now a physician, another helps run my real estate team and the youngest is in charge of marketing for a cryptocurrency firm.
Photo: iStock.com/EmirMemedovski
