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Dear Quota Team,

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My mother-in-law moved in with us six months ago to help my wife with childcare, but she's become a constant distraction during my workday. Every time I go to the kitchen for a quick coffee between calls, she starts conversations about her doctor appointments, what she saw on the news, or asks for help with her phone or tablet. When I try to politely excuse myself for a meeting, she'll say "just one more thing" and launch into another story or request. I've been late to several client calls because I got stuck listening to a story about her trip to the grocery store or helping her figure out why her email isn't loading. I'm going crazy in my own home. My wife thinks I'm being ungrateful since her mother is providing free childcare, but these constant interruptions are affecting my ability to stay focused and professional. How do I set boundaries in my own home without creating family drama?

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Interrupted Out West

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Dear Interrupted,

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Working from home with family requires the same professional boundaries you'd maintain in an office, and it's completely reasonable to establish "do not disturb" hours. Have a calm conversation with both your wife and mother-in-law explaining that your income depends on uninterrupted client interactions, then create visual cues like a closed door or sign when you're on calls. Consider setting specific times for family interaction, maybe 15 minutes at lunch or between morning and afternoon call blocks, so your mother-in-law feels included without disrupting your work flow. If gentle boundaries don't work, you might need to invest in a separate workspace or co-working space a few days per week to maintain your professional performance and sanity. Good luck!