Developing a good income from a home-based-business, whether it is something you created and launched yourself or one of the many home-based-business opportunities available, is challenging.  Let's face it, being a Mom is a full time job, and adding a business to the mix can be a herculean challenge.  To be successful and maintain one's sanity, these extraordinary women must be self-reliant, self-motivated, and disciplined and need to make sure they have the support of others in their circle of friends and family. 

Being successful and earning an income in your business makes it is easy to get bogged down with phone calls, emails and paperwork.  Although it seems like you should be able to balance both family and business obligations, it is a lot harder than you may have thought.  What started out with great intentions to be home with the children can easily become more stressful for all involved, making you want to run screaming back to your former employer and beg for your job back.  Here are some ideas to consider that may help you cope a little better to this new arrangement.

1. Remember to keep the "main thing the main thing" - You started your business because you are a Mom and you wanted to raise your children yourself.  You also wanted to be able to contribute to the family income.  So the main thing is being a Mom, and the secondary thing is your business.  It is a good idea when one is considering getting involved with a home-based-business to take into account the amount of time one will need to spend with the business.  This may not be the time to start the business of your dreams, but to rather find an opportunity that will be simple and easy to manage while doing your "main job" as a parent. 

2. Develop some good time management skills - I have observed that the busiest people get the most done, and busy people learn how to make the most of small pockets of time.  Take a good look at the critical activities in your business that contribute to making money and make sure you include those activities in each work day.  Make another list of things you could do given a little more time and add those things as you have time. 

3. Discipline, discipline, discipline - Often the key to anyone's success is based on discipline, however for someone with limited hours in a day to dedicate to work discipline is the key to success.  Even though it is difficult to keep a consistent schedule, if you make sure that when you can work at your business you don't clean the bathrooms or work in the kitchen or the million other distractions possible in your home,  you will keep your business on track. 

4. Take a regular day off - It is so easy to feel that when you have a moment away from the children you should be working at your business.  However, burning the candle at both ends will cause both your parenting and your business to suffer.  Taking time for the family and yourself will make the business fun and flourish. 

5. Don't be afraid to enlist help - In every business, there are times when you need to put in some concentrated effort and many Moms stress themselves, feeling they have to "do it all".  Don't be afraid to enlist the help of a friend or family member to take the children out for a while or come in and watch them while you work.  This will allow you to be more relaxed when you are with the children as well as, provide the extra attention your business may need from time-to-time.  As your business grows you may even be able to establish some hours to work where your children are with a caregiver in the home while you work.  Keep looking for ways to create schedules as both your family and your business grows. 

As a mother who was able to stay at home with your children, I can tell you that you will never regret your decision to be at home.  Today there is no shortage of ways for women to earn money at home and there is one that will suit your family.  Keep it simple and take the time to find what works for you and set your schedule. I always like to suggest that you choose something that can help you earn a residual income so that your life can get easier and easier as your family becomes more and more demanding.  Save the "dream business" you have in mind for a time in your life when you have more time to grow and develop a business from scratch.  Enjoy the ride with your children, they will be gone all too soon. 

Sharon Schierling - Coach, organizer and a member of the Work at Home United team, offering an simple and economical opportunity for women who want to provide for their families while raising their children. 

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