(NAPSA)—Theestimated number of woman-owned businesses across the country is 8.1 million. Yet what’s really impressive is that many female business owners are also mothers, wives and heads of households. If you fall into this category or know someone whodoes, the fol- lowing tips on balancing work and home life may come in handy: Protect boundaries—If you find yourself checking your smartphone during dinner, you might need to set clearer boundaries between business ownership and family time. Separating work and family time will help you be more productive at both. eStay in touch at school— Small-business owners rarely have time for volunteering in the classroom, but mothers can still be a part of their child’s educational experience. Something as simple as donating supplies shows you're interested in your child’s classroom success. Shift your schedule—Sixtythree percent of mothers say they want to be home when their kids leave for school and at the end of the day. To accommodate, try shifting your schedule and conducting nonurgent business after hours. Don’t be afraid to off-load workto others whenfeasible. eOrganize work and home life—Makea list of your top three organizational challenges both at homeand at work, and puta detailed plan together for overcoming the challenges. If time managementis an issue, try creating a family cal- endar that lists everyone’s daily activities, including work schedules and family time. And avoid working so hard on your business that your home becomes chaotic. Don’t let guilt get you down—A study from the Working Mother Research Institute found that more than half of mothers Balancing business ownership with motherhood doesn’t have to present an ongoing struggle to managetime and expectations. who work report feeling guilty about not spending enough time with their kids. Furthermore, small-business owners are notorious for working long or odd hours. Try not to be your own worstcritic. Sometimes, being a mom has to take priority. Push back business issues to after hoursifit’s possible. eLimit your time spent online—Many women spend hours a day online, for professional and personal reasons. But tasks such as managing a Facebook page or website can become a full-time job and significant source of stress. To free up some time for family, try Deluxe’s Web Solutions Package. The time-saving “do it for me” package bundles a numberofservices that help you achieve a professional online presence and help your business rank higher in search engines. eSeek more advice for managing your business—Deluxe, a growth engine for small businesses, offers products and services designed to streamline marketing for smallbusiness owners. For additional tips and resources, visit www.deluxesmall bizblog.com or www.ProjectREV 2012.com.
