Fifty years ago it was commonplace for the man of the household to be the sole bread winner and go out to work while his wife stayed at home to raise the children. In the world we live in now this scenario is more the exception than the norm. Many mothers enjoy the challenge of juggling a career and parenthood, but for others returning to work after their children are born is more a necessity than a want. Paying the mortgage and the bills can be a two person job. If you are one of these mothers – or perhaps a father, as an increasing number are choosing the stay at home parent role – who would prefer to devote your full time to your children, the chances are you have thought about setting up your own business to allow you the flexibility to work from home. The first obstacle in this is deciding what you want to do for a living.

Firstly you could use your current job as inspiration. For instance if you are a music teacher in a school you could start a business as a private music tutor. Or listen to the often quoted adage that you will never become rich by working for someone else, and leave your job to become freelance.

If you hate your career, consider turning one of your hobbies into your business instead. If you love card making for example, you could try setting up a website selling your work or start selling your cards at craft fairs. The card making business could then be expanded to producing handmade wedding invitations to order. Or, for a more profitable business, you could buy card making supplies from wholesalers and sell them on at a profit to people who share your hobby or to other businesses.

Your interests can be profitable in other ways too. For instance, you could write a book on your interest or set up a website where people who share your enthusiasm can, for a small fee, subscribe to your newsletter. Or, if your motivation for setting up on your own and working from home is that you love spending time with your children, follow the example of hundreds of other mothers and apply to become a registered child minder.

Is there a service you are already providing to your friends and family already which could become a full time business? Perhaps you are frequently called upon to bake for big family occasions because are a wonderful cook – consider trying your hand at the catering industry. Or maybe you have produced a beautiful gift basket or nappy cake for a new parent. Gift baskets for babies and new parents sell well, and are something that many people are making a good living from.

There is no reason why you can’t enjoy the benefits of being a work at home parent while doing something you love. The tricky part is deciding on a career path, as once you start brainstorming you may find there are a multitude of options available to you.

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