Time commitment- The first thing you need to discuss when preparing your family for a home based business is the time commitment it takes. Kids can't be asking parents to do things for them during business hours, just because they are home. Parents can't expect kids to give up their lives either to make room for business things, or fulfill orders, etc.

Interruptions- If you are going to work at home, or have a home based business, it is really important for your family to understand that interruptions are going to affect the bottom line, which means that it could affect their lifestyle. Having a family discussion about the behavior you expect from them and explaining that interruptions are not acceptable. If you are on the phone with a client, and a child comes in, and starts whining, or a teenagers blasts their music in the background, or distracts you asking for car keys, or a spouse asks for something, then your home based business will not last long because you will not be able to present a very professional front. So, when preparing your family for a home based business, a thorough discussion about interruptions is a must.

Family time versus work time- When preparing your family for a home based business, you need to sit down and figure out with your family how you are going to balance work and family. Discuss with your family the time that will be devoted to the home based business, and the time that will be devoted to your family, spending time with one another and enjoying family bonding.

How the family is expected to contribute or help- Last, but not least, it is important to discuss how the family is expected to contribute or help with the home based business. They may be expected to help keep the home clean so that client meetings can be done in a clean environment. Or, they may be expected to answer phones, or just stay out of the way. However, if you do not sit down and discuss the family responsibilities associated with home based businesses, you can't expect anything.

If you prepare your family for a home based business, it will be much more likely to be successful, and not put undue stress on your family. A home based business requires commitment from the whole family to not negatively influence your family's life.