For instance, even though I may be working in another room, when my brood cracks up about something funny, I don’t miss the moment. I can slip into the living room and check out the cause of the mirth. Or when one of my boys has a question about something that seems important to him, I am there. Even if I can’t answer it at the moment (because I’m working), I can note it and address it at a mutually workable time.

Yep, I love being at home with my family. And I’m so grateful for the work at home option that makes that possible!

You see, my oldest son is home for a week of spring break. He’s a college freshman who choose a wonderful institution of higher learning that is 1/2 way across the country. We covet the rare time we get to spend with him – and that time is now.

I feel SO blessed to be the CEO of my own home-based business such that my self-designated time off can coincide with his. It makes this mother’s heart very happy!

Did you leave it all in the dust to be at home with your kids?

Are you looking for somewhere, someplace, somehow to honor that planning, knowing and figuring? I found that where, that place, and that how! And I would love to share with you what I’ve found…if it’s of interest, let me know.

Maybe not the most academic of the many questions to consider, but a valid one nonetheless. Only the mom in question can answer that for herself, but here are some personal thoughts that might be helpful to her (or you!).

Having a home-based business means melding various activity fronts within a smaller area. You’re doing mothering, homemaking, and business all from home (plus lots of other stuff most likely). My own experience is that this actually can provide even more stimulation and invigorating activity on all those fronts. They can be balanced more creatively, juxtaposed more easily, and sometimes combined with greater originality. Examples: supper is in the oven as I write this, we have family “mailing parties” for some snail mail customer contact in my business, my teens give me some great internet business advice, and I can sneak in a customer follow-up call right after answering that ever-present question, “can I have something to eat?”. You’re probably getting the picture. It’s sort of a way of life, and allows me to get more done in all three of those areas (mothering, homemaking and business) than I think would be possible if I weren’t working at home.

Now, having a work at home situation that does include some type of contact with other people does help. I’m on the phone almost every day in some business-related capacity. And definitely communicating via computer every single business day. As you evaluate home-based business options, you may want to consider something that offers that. Unless of course, you’re a loner by nature and the social element of the corporate life is your least favorite part to begin with. If that’s the case, perhaps you won’t miss it by making the transition to at-home work.

And it may be that the work at home mom needs to pay particular attention to her non-work social/emotional/spiritual/physical needs that take her outside the home if that is what she likes. But most work at home moms I know really like being at home, and being at home a lot. If you’ve never had the luxury of trying it, it may not seem appealing at first. But I think it will grow on you .

- moms who get jobs at their children’s schools in order to be on the kids’ schedule, but don’t find the work especially fulfilling

- moms with a professional degree who want a career AND a premium family life

- moms who want to homeschool their children and contribute to the family income

- moms who want to model entrepreneurship for their children, or just have it in their blood

- moms who find a home based business that enables them to make the world a better place

- moms who want to share the every-day miracles of life with their kids whenever the kids are home

We are a diverse, talented group (this list is just for starters)! What’s your reason for being or wanting to be a work at home mom?

I think to myself what a difference it might make for her and her beautiful family if she was working from home. Especially if she had begun developing a home-based business before reaching this height of busy-ness. And even more so if it was a business that offered residual income (so that work she had done in the past would continue to reward her).

Yes, there is still juggling involved for a work at home mom with young children. Yes, the activity level can get kind of intense at times. But I am convinced it can be more family-friendly than working outside the home.

And so I have a new wave of courage to reach out (believe it or not, I can be timid ) and am re-inspired to spread the word: Moms, you can make the contribution to the family income that is needed in so many cases by working at home!

Try to involve your kids in your work if you can. My younger ones have folded newsletters, and sealed and stamped envelopes. Older children can file, help with computer tasks, even undertake creative assignments. And a sole proprietor work-at-home mother can pay them a fair wage for those tasks and enjoy a tax savings (check with your tax professional for details).

But even if you can’t literally involve your children because of age or work type, engage them in the mission of your home based business as much as possible. Familiarize them with your work, what you do and why you like it. Share with them the benefits to you personally and to the family inherent in your role as a work at home mother. The age of your children will dictate how much of this you can do, but don’t neglect to revisit this periodically as they advance in age and understanding.

My children like being part of the big picture. They like being business kids!