The days when mum stayed home in her apron, planning meals and cleaning house while dad toiled away at his job are a thing of the past. In recent decades, women have increasingly joined the workforce, due in part to large mortgages, double car payments, holidays and generally living a more expensive lifestyle than families of the past.

As women began to qualify for many desirable jobs with lucrative salaries, they also began to feel empowered, self-reliant and confident in their abilities to contribute to the family income.

However, as time goes on, more and more of these women are coming to the realisation that working outside the home has its drawbacks as well as its perks.

There is a trend among many working women to leave the office, opting instead for setting up shop in the comfort of their homes. Many things play into the decision a woman might make to work at home.

There are many opportunities out there and just to give you some ideas, watch Tanya Rivero from ABC's Good Money talking about what to consider and how to start a business from home.

Below are some of the most common reasons and the benefits of starting your own home based business.

Women want to be with their children

Staying home with her children is perhaps the most common reason that women are choosing to trade the nine-to-five for working from home. The benefits are many, ranging from the practical to the sentimental.

Practically speaking, the cost of child care alone is a very persuasive argument for setting up a home office. One child in day care alone can set a family back a thousand dollars per month, and more if the child is an infant. Add a second or third child to the bill, and you can see that day care can cost as much as a mortgage payment. Unless a woman makes a hefty salary, child care costs can quickly eat up a large portion of her paycheck.

Women are staying home for emotional reasons as well. As children are added to a family, it becomes increasingly clear that a full-time job keeps mum away from a great portion of their kids' lives. Dropping an infant off at day care can be emotionally crippling for a new mother, and doesn't get much better as the child grows. Mothers miss out on milestones, such as first words, first steps and school activities.

Even not being able to care for a sick child can make a mum feel like a failure. There really is no one better to care for a child than mummy.

The corporate environment: Who needs the stress?

Another valid reason to get off the corporate ladder and work from home is to get rid of the stress and headaches it causes.

Competing for positions, heavy workloads, lack of appreciation, office gossip and demanding bosses. These are some of the negatives a woman can rid herself of, that will make working from home seem like a vacation.

And, the emotional and physical stress these things cause can really detract from any family time that can be gleaned from a dreary work day.

Money not spent is money saved

Working from home can represent a lot more money in a woman's checking account. First, and foremost, she will save the cost of travel to and from work, as well as wear and tear on her car, which can cost a bundle. That professional wardrobe can be expensive as well.

How about the cost of expensive lattes, and business lunches? And, don't forget the mega-savings of child care. Work can be expensive!

Your time is your own

Working from a home office affords a woman the luxury of creating her own schedule, and using her time in the way that best works for her and her business. Making your own rules is a big plus.

The big write-offs

Many people don't realise the tax advantages available to in-home businesses. When a woman chooses to work at home, the office or work space she uses becomes a tax write-off.

A portion of utilities, such as electricity, phone and Internet are also valid deductions. Electronics, such as laptops and cell phones are a work expense too. A tax professional can help to maximise these deductions for some great savings at tax time.

Travel is expensive

If she has a job that involves travel, a woman can save a bundle by working from home. Even if the company pays for flight and hotels, there are many hidden costs involved in travelling for work. These include food, professional clothing, paying someone at home to care for children, run errands, and generally keep the house running while she is gone. Not to mention the cost of time spent away from a spouse and children, which can take its toll on a family.

Imagination is the only limit

Another advantage to having a home business is the variety of work adventures available to women in today's world. Direct marketing, childcare, pet care, music lessons, medical billing, real estate. The possibilities are endless.

[covertplayersinglevideo trvideoid=”upP5CEyn-XA” trdisplaytype=”5″ trnumbervideosdisplay=”1″ trvideoperpage=”36″ trthumbnailwidth=”220″ trthumbnailheight=”130″ trpopupwidth=”500″ trpopupheight=”350″ trvideoalign=”left” trytautohide=”0″ trytautoplay=”0″ trytcontrols=”1″ trytrelvideo=”0″ trytshowlogo=”1″ trytshowtitle=”0″ tryttheme=”dark” trythighquality=”hd720″]

[covertplayersinglevideo trvideoid=”g8f2BX2obDw” trdisplaytype=”5″ trnumbervideosdisplay=”” trvideoperpage=”36″ trthumbnailwidth=”220″ trthumbnailheight=”130″ trpopupwidth=”500″ trpopupheight=”350″ trvideoalign=”left” trytautohide=”0″ trytautoplay=”0″ trytcontrols=”1″ trytrelvideo=”0″ trytshowlogo=”1″ trytshowtitle=”0″ tryttheme=”dark” trythighquality=”0″]

As you can see, a woman who chooses to work from home can have the best of both worlds. She has the ability to earn a stable income, yet cultivate the family life she so desires.

Take a chance on a home business. You may find you like having your cake and eating it too!