We need a little more income to make it in my family, but I have preschool child

Question and Answer

We need a little more income to make it in my family, but I have preschool children and don't want to seek employment outside the home. Is there an alternative for me to pursue?

You might want to consider building a home-based business that can be done while taking care of your children and keeping your sanity. Among the possibilities are catering, desktop publishing, pet grooming, sewing, consulting, transcribing legal documents, or even mail-order sales. Choosing which business is right for you is the first of three practical steps suggested by Donna Partow. She's the author of a book called Homemade Business. You can start your own enterprise by taking a personal-skills-and-interest inventory to identify your particular abilities and what you might like doing the best. The second step is to do your homework. Begin by asking your librarian to help you research your chosen field. Look up books, magazines, and newspaper articles. Talk to other people who have done what you'd like to do. Join an industry organization and a network. Subscribe to industry publications.

According to Mrs. Partow, the third step is to marshal as much support as you can. Get your children, your spouse, and your friends on your side. Setting up a small business can be stressful, and you'll need as much encouragement as you can get.1

If you've been torn between family and finances, having a home-based business may turn out to be the best of both worlds.