Now that the summer holidays are in full swing, you can hear the screams of working parents from outer space, as we aim for that most stressful of balancing acts: kids, work, work, work, kids, and - way down the list - your own needs.
There are plenty of experts lining up to tell us how it should be done. You may want to strangle them – they haven't got your job or your family to contend with, have they?
So it's encouraging to see some people offering advice do actually know what they are talking about.
Karen Sherr (right), is the Managing Director of nationwide kids' group, Musical Minis and a mother of three as well as running her own successful business.
These are her top ten tips for those wanting to follow a dream of working for themselves.
When Karen, who's 46, of Pinner in Middlesex, started her business, she wanted to provide fun and stimulating sessions based on what her son Matthew would love.
She combined this with her expertise as a play specialist at Great Ormond Street Hospital to found the winning combination of fun sessions now loved by children and parents across the UK and overseas.
Here are Karen's tips on how to become a successful Mumpreneur:
1. Research the market and competition.
2. Start small, let the business grow as and when you can cope with expansion.
3. Have a clear idea what you want out of the business
4. Try to separate work from home. If your business is based at home (as all the Musical Minis administration is) have a second phone line fitted.
5. Have backup. If your child is ill what will happen to your business?
6. Know your limitations. For example if you have problems with accounts, get someone to help you.
7. If there are not enough hours in the day to do everything, do the bits you like (with both work and home life) and get help with the bits you don't.
8. Work out the balance between work and home that you want.
9. Keep time to be a mum
10. Set time aside to deal with administration, household tasks etc. If you keep putting it off the task will become huge (hours of paperwork for example – or loads of ironing) - regular manageable chunks of mundane but important tasks will help things flow smoothly.
Musical Minis is also looking for more mums to boost their network of franchisees so have a look and get in touch if you think running a music group could be just the job for you.