Ask the Work at Home Expert Shawn Mason Spence, MA, is the owner of inPower Multimedia Group LLC which specializes in providing coaching and marketing support for entrepreneurs, writers and academic professionals. She is the author of "Just Work it!: 5 key steps to turning passion into profit" which is available at justworkit.net. Shawn is a speaker, former college instructor and writer for The Parenting Post. Question: I recently started my own business after being at home with my children for several years. No one close to me seems to value the fact that I'm actually working and not just killing some time. How do I gain respect from family and friends while working from home? Answer: I hope that the goal is simple courtesies because I've found our family and friends are the least accepting of lifestyle changes especially those changes that they don't understand. I would suggest that you try simple things like: Set business hours for your business and stick to them. I am a morning person, so I take care of all of my writing, editing, class development and planning before other businesses open. At 9:00 a.m., I am on the phone until 12 noon or so nonstop and my day is done. If you work better at night or if you are running your business part-time, set a schedule that works for you. Change your voice mail message to include your business name and only answer personal calls after business hours. If they are insulted when they know you're at home and you don't answer the phone, try sharing with them that they should give you the same respect that they would give to another employer. Ask that they email you instead of calling. This way you can determine if the matter requires a phone conversation or just a quick email. You are establishing boundaries and protecting what's important. You shouldn't feel guilty. Your family will gain respect for you as you consistently enforce your boundaries. Who knows? Maybe one of your family members will pay you for the services you offer or send you a referral.