Newbie Reflector questions

i've been trying to find some answers to what I think are basic questions.
Unfortunately haven't been able to find my answers. I have a low cost
(read cheap) 4.5 reflector. It is not a bad scope once you understand that
the accessories are garbage that came with it. Anyhow, the focuser is
attached to the side of the tube like on most reflectors. After doing a
polar alignment, I often find myself trying to stand on my head to look
though the eyepiece. And if I can look though the eyepiece, then I have
trouble using the finder scope.

Is there a proper way to set up the scope at the start to create as much
useful viewing without havign to rotate the tube and thus mess up the polar
alignment?

What is the proper way to balance the scope on the mount?

The other thing that I notice is that setting up the tripod lower to the
ground helps stablize it better and provide better access to the eyepiece.

Any suggestions?