Many thousands of mothers in the US are turning to home-based working as a way to maintain a better work-life balance, according to reports.

Using some of the latest technologies, mothers across the country have been able to establish a business base in their own homes and look after their children more easily, according to the St Cloud Times newspaper.

Figures from the Centre for Women’s Business Research show that there are around 42 per cent more female-owned companies in the US now than was the case a decade ago, and this is partly put down to the rising prevalence of work-from-home "mompreneurs".

Shelly Bauerly Kopel, from the St Cloud-based business consulting firm Venture Allies, told the local news service: "It seems like technology has been the enabling factor that anyone can work from home."

"It’s opened opportunities for them, and people are able to choose what works best for them," she added.

Experts involved in the Work Wise UK initiative insist that working from home can result in productivity and environmental benefits, as well as allowing employees to establish a better work-life balance.