This is an issue I hear about a lot, especially with mothers who work from home. People just don’t get that you are actually “working.” Some work at homers complain that neighboors some over unexpectedly, people send their children over for them to babysite, friends call them up to chat in the middle of the day.

Here is some advice from Dear Abbey to one mother who finds herself running a free babysitting service rather than her own business: “

No child should be camping at your home for hours on end. That’s why you can always say, “Let’s call your mom, Brendan, because I think it’s time to go.”

If possible, you should try to use the flexibility of your home-based job to carve out a couple of hours each day when you’re not “at the office.”

This summer, Ana might enjoy going to day camp. This will keep her busy and stimulated and allow you to catch up on your work so you’re ready to meet the neighborhood, if you choose to invite them.”