Let's face it, being a work at home mum, or WAHM involves a lot of hard work. The upside is, that it also has many wonderful rewards. Raising a family can be a struggle for anyone, juggling the kids and work can be even more difficult.

There are ways that you can do both and do them both effectively. Work at home businesses for moms are a great way to earn some extra money, or even a full time income if you wish. Here are a few tips that may help you to manage your business and the kids, in harmony.

• Including everyone - if you are like me, then it is easy to get caught up in what you are doing, especially if there is a deadline! You need to take a step back and see how you can fit the kids into your business so that no one gets left out and you can still manage to get your work done.

• Play time - this is important for kids to grow and develop, so make sure you take some time to play with them. You could even set up some interesting activities in your work area to keep them amused.

• Office hours - work at home businesses for moms need to have office hours. This can often be the area that is the most neglected in any work at home businesses for moms. Setting work hours will mean that you work hard when you are working and you rest and play with the kids when you are not.

• Communications - if your work at home businesses for moms includes talking on the telephone, this can be extremely difficult while you hold your child in one arm. If you have older children, it could be the perfect time to teach them some patience. If you set clear boundaries when you are taking phone calls, this will also allow your children to develop a healthy respect for your need to work. You may also find that this patience and respects transfers into every day life, even when you are not working. That definitely has to be a good thing!

• Files - keep them locked at all times, preferably in a cabinet designed for this purpose. Work at home businesses for moms may include a great deal of paperwork that needs to be organized and easily accessible.

• Be realistic - this is in regards to your time and the fact that moms are always busy, whether it involves paid work or household chores. You still need to be able to fit in the cleaning and cooking, you won't be able to work all the time - even if you may want to!

• Office space - the office space is yours, just as your computer and paperwork is yours. Teaching the kids this important fact early on in life is important and will save future headaches.

• Friends and family - the people in your life can be a great assistance to you, so think of some ways you can also help them. You may be able to organise a timetable for playtime or park visits so that you can get some work done in peace and quiet. This could mean that you help a friend out in the same way, to also allow her some free time to work productively.

Hopefully some of these tips have been valuable for those that are searching for work at home businesses for moms.