Are you struggling to juggle a demanding work schedule with a busy family life? Good news, you don't have to choose between being there for your kids and keeping a steady income.

In fact, if you play your cards right and start making the appropriate preparations, you could be well on your way to getting the best of both worlds: a career that lets you work from home and a suitable income.

Paralegal
Paralegals assist lawyers by researching documents, preparing related paperwork, and more. Because many of their duties can be done anywhere, the opportunity for telecommuting has grown in recent years. Training options include a paralegal certification program, which takes six months to a year to complete, or a two-year associate's degree in paralegal studies . According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the median annual wage for paralegals is $43,040.

Medical Transcriptionist
Medical Transcriptionists play a vital role in record-keeping, typing up the recordings of doctors and nurses. It's an important task, to be sure, but one that doctors simply do not have time to complete. Another perfect opportunity to work from home! All the job requires is an audio playback device, a computer, and time. A one-year certificate or two-year associate's degree in medical transcription can have you quickly on your way to a career in this expanding industry. Medical transcriptionists earn an average of nearly $15/hour, according to the Department of Labor.

Computer Programmer
Programmers create the software that instructs computers to perform certain functions. It's a job you could do just about anywhere, which is why computer programmers are working from home in increasing numbers. After all, why waste time driving to work when you could be compiling code? If this type of work interests you, explore a degree in computer science or programming. Certificate programs are also available for those with some prior experience. According to the Department of Labor, the median annual salary for computer programmers is $73,470.

Tutor
Tutors supplement conventional education for students that could use the academic boost. Becoming a tutor is an especially convenient option for people who'd like to stay at home because tutors can set their own hours and hold sessions in their homes or work for an online tutor service. If you have expertise in certain subject areas or a degree in education, you may find that your time for personal tutoring sessions could be in great demand. According to Payscale.com, tutors can earn anywhere from $15 to $40 an hour. Add the flexibility to earn money while also being home for your own kids and you could have the perfect flexible career option.

Graphic Designer
Graphic designers are the creative artists behind pretty much all the printed and digital graphics that you see. And that creativity extends to the work environment. Go the freelance route, and you'll enjoy a very flexible environment. All it takes to start is a two-year associate's degree in graphic design. A bachelor's degree will make you an even hotter commodity. The average entry-level salary for graphic designers is $35,000. Go the freelance route, and you can set your own rates once you develop your clientele.

Translator
If you're lucky enough to be literate in at least two languages, you could make a living translating written materials from one language to another. Most translators work out of their own offices or homes, where assignments are received and sent via the Internet. Knowing two languages fluently is a necessity. As for education, most translators have a bachelor's degree. The U.S. Department of Labor expects these jobs to grow much faster than average and while earnings vary widely, many freelance translators earn between $20 and $30 per hour.

Accountant
Clients provide you with their financial information and you're off and running preparing their statements and completing their tax documents. This isn't collaborative work. This is you applying your hard-earned financial expertise to the numbers. As with programmers, accountants get to choose where and when they work, and they are highly paid. The Department of Labor lists the median annual income at $54,630. The years ahead promise a higher than average growth in accountant jobs, so start preparing today by looking for the necessary bachelor's degree in accounting programs.

Virtual Assistant
Bootstrapping a business in today’s economy often requires creative thinking. Some of the most creative and successful professionals in consulting, real estate, and health care have realized that they can reap the benefits of having full-time administrative assistance without the costs of expanding their own offices. Virtual assistants provide high-end secretarial tasks on demand for clients, usually from home offices. Completing an online training course is often the essential first step toward a work-from-home job that pays $13 or more per hour.