Prioritize. Always listen to your children and make them feel wanted and be their sounding board. As they grow older make them slowly responsible for their own lives. Allow them to learn from their mistakes as you learn from your mistakes. It really helps to have an understanding husband. Take a few hours off in the week to indulge yourself, maybe meet up with old classmates, or go to a spa, or engage yourself in your favorite sport or hobby to rejuvenate yourself.

—Guest Mamatha

I agree with this idea, that it .is important because family is the first priority. Your family must happy every day but business can be produce money for your family. The key of balancing is communication.

—Guest Hirodona

Forget "balance" in the traditional sense. As adults, kids will need to be flexible. Stick to a schedule as much as possible, but when dinner is late, don't just serve it late, explain to your kids why you need to work and ask them to pitch in by washing veggies or even heating up soup. They will adapt better to schedule changes when you involve them!

—Guest Not-A-9-5-Mom

I do not think there is such a thing as balancing both. One will always come in second place. You just have to decide in the moment what your priorities are.

—Guest Anonymous

Having a business is a lot like having a baby. Conception is work (but fun!), growing a business and giving birth are only the beginning. As soon as you launch the business it needs a lot of time and attention or it will get into trouble! I think it is almost impossible to start a business while trying to start a family. Someone will suffer - usually the poor overworked mom who cannot give everything to everyone all the time!

—Guest WorkingGal5

I agree with Kathy Clark's comment. You have to know your life priorities - not just the ones in business! God, family, work...

—iwaumtb

Always be professional. Speak clearly, and conduct yourself as a pro. You are the expert, that is why they use you. In all your dealings, you set the tone, no matter how others act or treat you. Insist on being treated well and treat others that way. To often, when we work from home, it is not seen as a "real" business. Being in the arts, I am dealing with a double whammy here, to be seen as a real, professional person both as a home business and as a business in the arts.

—StarrpointHost01

I started a business from home and learned this quote from Mary Kay Ash, founder of Mary Kay... "God(Faith) first, family second and career third." It helps to keep life in perspective.

—Guest Kathy Clark

I schedule a one day a month where I do nothing but stuff with my two children. We might back something or have a picnic. It is usually simple stuff that is not exhausting (because I am already tired) like long day trips and all-day shoppathons. They seem to appreciate that they have my attention and participation rather than just my peripheral attention.

—Guest Aimee

I am operating my business from home since 2002. I work with one rule of thumb - "Operate as if you are reporting for work at another location." I start my day at 8: 30 am and end at 5:00 pm. Those hours are devoted to the business.

—Guest Esther

There's a picture in my office with these words:"I resign as general manager of the universe." I now look at what are the tasks that ONLY I can do and what can be given away to my children or spouse. We chart out a week with everyone assigned duties. It means giving up the idea that everything has to be done MY way. I've also given away toxic clients. Know how much time and energy some clients take. In the long run, focusing your skill on finding and keeping good clients is more effective. Lastly, know what renews your energy. Ten minutes in the sunshine with only the sound wind chimes refocuses me.

—Guest Eileen McDargh

My kids get time outs to regroup when they are out of control. When I am overwhelmed and feeling out of control I give myself a timeout by taking a 10 minute break. Usually it is just a trip to the backyard to stretch, breath, and say, "calm down, you'll get through this!" But getting away from a problem is often the only way to get back in control of it!

—Guest MissesVirginia