How to Effectively Set Boundaries (Especially If You Work from Home)
Boundaries are not bad.
They are not about saying no.
They are not to be mean.
They should not make you feel guilty.
They are reasonable expectations communicated to those you interact and communicate with on a daily basis.
They are to find balance – by implementing boundaries, you create consistency, dependability and reliability.
In 2025, I went from living on my own to now living with another adult, four kiddos and two dogs.
Life gets loud some days.
As I gear up for another summer running two businesses from my home office with kids home from school for the summer, here are some examples of boundaries that I have set to help me manage my time and capacity:
My office is in the basement. A boundary that has been put in place is that the girls are asked to knock, text or call down before coming downstairs.
If the door is closed or locked, it means that I am in a meeting and they cannot come down at that time.
Additionally, here are boundaries I’ve worked with clients who have small children at home:
If you have little kids at home, put a sign on your office door to tell them what time you are available or create a clock to show what time you will done your meetings.
Include them in the process of choosing the decor or artwork that you will hang. Encourage them to draw the clock or make the sign.
If your partner is home or an older child is available, asking them to be the kids touchpoint when you’re working or in meetings.
Next, for my business owners reading this – remember - you manage your customers/client’s expectations.
You are allowed to set boundaries or reasonable expectations with your clients/customers, including clearly explaining your working hours and setting-up reasonable expectations of when you will respond to messages/emails and turnaround time of when you will communicate with them.
Just because they message you at 3am, does not mean you need to jump and respond back ASAP.
Breathe!
Finally, setting boundaries isn’t just for others, you also need to set them for yourself too.
Why? To protect your time, your capacity, your balance.
Here are some suggestions to set some boundaries to better manage your capacity this summer:
Assign time to have breaks, lunch, go for a walk, refresh your brain.
Encourage yourself to follow them and take them.
Pausing and resting is important to have the capacity and energy to have the focus you need to tackle your work or to-do list for the day.
You do not have to work 10, 14, 18-hour days – unless you want to!
You do not need to wake up at 5am or go to bed at midnight. It works for some people, but not for everyone.
You are allowed to sleep, rest, take vacation. One of the biggest perks of being your own boss is flexibility!
Do not make important business decisions when exhausted or burnt out.
Remember, it’s OK and important to ask for help.
Boundaries are important.
They help others learn how to work with you, show respect and in turn, they learn how to set their own boundaries.
This summer, I encourage you to try managing your capacity by setting and advocating for your boundaries to be honoured.
One potentially awkward conversation could offer amazing results!