Report reveals 'mumtrepreneurs' get more time with their kids

You might imagine if you ran your own business, you’d be working around the clock and never have any time off. 

But the Working Parents Report has revealed, parents who have their own business will take three weeks off work to spend with their children this summer holidays – a whole week extra than their peers, who are employed by someone else.

The report by Galaxy Research for accounting software company, Xero, found 94% of parents who run their own business say they spend more time with their children than ever before. They also found parents working for someone else, stressed out about childcare arrangements during the holiday season.

Findings revealed the desire for a more balanced family life is one of the greatest drivers for Aussies wanting to run their own business. 
 
“Many people feel after they have kids that have to make this difficult decision between staying home or working,” Trent Innes, Managing Director, Xero Australia said. “As a parent myself, I know that the last choice any mum or dad wants to make is to be able to watch their children’s soccer games versus having a career. Australian parents are increasingly being drawn to small business ownership and becoming their own boss so they don’t have to sacrifice family time for work,” he said.
 
According to the research, business owners attribute technology to helping them achieve better work-life balance.
 
“In today’s digital age, work-life integration has never been more achievable. Almost three quarters of parents with their own business say they are able to work remotely more often now than in the past due to cloud tools and technologies,” Mr Innes said.
 
Christy Hind, mum-of-one and owner of boutique baby wear brand Little Maggie Moo, made the decision to start running a business once she got a sense of the extra time it gave her with her daughter, Maggie.
 
“What originally started as a creative outlet quickly turned into a money-making venture – especially once I got a grasp on what it meant for Maggie. Unlike my previous 9am – 5pm job, doing my own thing gives me the freedom to make work fit around my daughter’s schedule and gives me more quality time with her – I wouldn’t have it any other way,” she said.
 
“From payroll to invoicing, I can comfortably run Little Maggie Moo from my mobile which gives me the flexibility to take a longer holiday over the Christmas period when Maggie is home, or go along to her after-school activities without work needing to be put on hold. This really helps alleviate the stress of making childcare arrangements – not just over summer but all year round.”