If you don't want to work 9 to 5, but would like to earn or use your skills, why not think about working for yourself or starting your own company? Here are some pointers from Antonia Chitty, author of A guide to Promoting Your Business:

First of all, think about what motivates you? List your priorities. Do you mainly just need to earn money, or do you miss using your brain? Do you have skills you feel are being wasted, or is there a skill you would love to learn and use? Or, is your main motivation to have some way of earning while staying with your children?

Then, look at your skills. If you feel you don't have any, turn off the little voice in your head that says you're not good at anything. Note down courses you have been on and ask others what they think you're good at. If there is a skill you'd love to have, call your local college to see if they offer a relevant course. Ask about help with funding and whether they offer a crèche. Learn Direct Advice can help answer questions about training courses.

If you decide you would like to start a business, how much time, money and effort can you invest? Think realistically about the hours you can work. Many work at home mums find spare time becomes consumed by the business. Some do without childcare but it is easier if you have some time to work without the children. Will your partner or a relative care for the children for a few hours? If not, call your local authority's Early Years department for help with finding childcare.

Once you have a business idea, it's vital that you do some research. Look at competitors, gather brochures, check out websites and find out how much others are charging. Ask people if they would buy your product or service. This will all help when you go on to prepare your business plan. Think about how you will promote your business too. Pop into your local Enterprise Agency or Business Link for free and low cost advice on starting up and business planning which will also offer help in getting grants or funding. The Inland Revenue can even send a member of staff to your house to advise you.

Now you have read this article, do you still want to start a business? It is not a decision to be taken lightly and any business owner will tell you of the hours of hard work needed to be successful. However, you will also gain control over your time and hopefully the flexibility to be there to collect your children from school, attend sports day and be around when they need you.

Antonia Chitty runs www.acpr.co.uk. Her latest publication, A guide to Promoting Your Business (£15), is packed with affordable techniques for getting your business noticed. It is available from www.prbasics.co.uk , www.acpr.co.uk , www.amazon.co.uk and can be ordered from any bookshop if you quote ISBN 978-0955534508

Antonia's next book is a guide to family friendly ways to work. She is still looking to hear from more dads who have found a great way to achieve a better work life balance. You may have set up a business, taken on a franchise, or gone freelance. Email Antonia@acpr.co.uk if you have a story.