The structure of the family, as we know it in the West, is changing as more and more parents decide to stop struggling to pay someone else to look after their children while they put up with a stressful and time-consuming, expensive daily commute to somewhere they only use a fraction of their skills and talents to bring home just enough money to live on. This becomes an even more attractive option if you are downsizing as a result of the credit crunch, or need to get extra money through the door for little or no extra spend.

And in today’s credit crunch climate, two incomes are pretty much a necessity for most families if they are to stay financially afloat, but once you become a parent, the cost of childcare can be prohibitive even if you just work part time. However, as a WAHM you can fulfil both roles more gracefully – as a hands on parent and a (stay at home) breadwinner – and the benefits are huge not just for the emotional wellbeing of you and your family, but also in practical, financial, and health terms.

In fact, so many people are now clocking on to the fact that working from home is a sound financial, practical and emotionally fulfilling choice, that in the last 10 years thousands and thousands of people have changed tack and decided to work from home. Some do it so they can be with their families. Some do it to cut down on commuting and the frustrations of working for someone else. Some do it because it is the best way they know of to use the skills they possess. Some do it for all of these reasons!

What are the Benefits of Working From Home?
Working from home in your flexible own business is a dream come true for many people, especially if you want to be able to balance work with family life.

Imagine being able to walk your kids to school and take the scenic route back to the ‘office’ because you don’t have to be there ‘bang on’ 9am. Perhaps you've already put in a couple of hours at the office before you did the school run, and so can stop for a coffee with a friend before starting again... when you work from home, flexibility can be one of the many benefits can be time to spend with the people who are most important to you, such as being able to pick the kids up from school yourself and having time to talk and catch up with each other, perhaps walk the dog, go swimming, see friends, do crafts.

And then there are the health benefits - less stress and more healthy food because you have more time to prepare a nutritious and cost-effective family meal that you eat together, rather than always falling back on a frozen or pre-prepared costly meal, perhaps on their laps in front of the television.

Imagine no more traffic jams and time-consuming commutes whether by expensive train or even more expensive car! No more office politics and spending most of the day wishing you were somewhere else. No more childcare taking a huge slice of your pay packet. Able to go to every sports day and award ceremony...

That’s the life of a WAHM, a Work At Home Mum. That’s my life, and it can be your life too.

How long does it take?

I'm often asked how long it takes to be a success with a WAHM business. The answer depends a great deal on what business you are in and what you personally consider success to be. Is it success if you make a few hundred dollars a month or are you set on becoming a millionaire? Is your business something that will be a rapid turnaround or is it going to be a slow burn like when I started Funky Angel in 2003, because society wasn’t really ready for the concept of “working from home mums” even though loads of us were already doing it.

How do I start?
Take an inventory of your interests and skills by using our modules or come to one of our workshops and get some great ideas too.Have a read around the site and get a feeel forwhat is out there and what is possible - check out our case studies for inspiration.

If you think you might be looking for some financing, check out our Funky Finance area. Contrary to popular belief, very few WAHM businesses need more than a micro loan, but if you do have a need for more finance, perhaps to buy sophisticated equipment or you have high set up costs we can put you in touch with the right people to talk to.

If you want to fast track it and want some expert input, then consider business mentoring, and don't forget that our consultants are on line every Thursday evening from January to answer any direct questions you might have.

And most of all believe that you can do it - and get your family on-side, and then off you go. Easy really!

 

© Claire Burdett. No content to be reproduced without written approval of the author.

Claire Burdett is the Founder and Director of Funky Angel. She is a Writer, Journalist, and Editor, Integrated Marketing Expert, and Home Business Mentor.

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