By starting your own business, you set the mood and expectation at work. Flex time, paid sick days, child care at work, and other creative practices are often used by business owners to promote balance between work and home.

Maybe you want to start a business that will allow you to be a stay-at-home mom. That’s what I did. I made my business phone calls while my baby napped. Thank goodness she was a great sleeper or it never would have worked. At some point, though, you will find that the melding of executive and mommy has very large challenges. My first daughter is now in daycare (she’s 3) and I can now schedule appointments during the day and not worry about her talking when I answer the work phone. We spend time together in the morning having breakfast and talking. Some days I end my work day at 3 pm so we can go to the park.

There are days when it is a challenge to balance business life and personal life, but in the end I am happy with my decision to run my own business. It has allowed me to spend more time with my family.