Mom Boss: Navigating Through Work and Parenting
Parents know that every day is filled with excitement, challenges, and creative problem-solving. When you add a full-time job or business, organization, flexibility, and patience are key to getting everything done. And if it feels challenging to work and parent all at the same time, you’re not alone.
Around the world, working moms are trying to find that balance, so they can be there for the important moments with their families and still follow their personal dreams and professional goals.
Our team at PixieLane understands firsthand what it means to be a working mom on the go. We were developed by busy moms for busy moms, which is why we’re sharing what we’ve learned about navigating through work and parenting. It’s also why we’re making it as easy as possible to join the PixieLane family from the comfort of home.
What Are the Benefits of Becoming a Mompreneur?
You might be wondering if becoming a mompreneur is the right option for you and your family’s needs. The truth is that while working and parenting does come with their share of challenges, there are many benefits that you’ll want to consider, as well.
Here are just a few:
Work-Life Balance
We hear the term work-life balance a lot, and it’s especially important when it comes to family. When you run your own business, you can decide when to step back from work to spend time with the kids. That means you won’t have to worry about missing important milestones or celebrations.
And parenting comes with its share of surprises and challenges. If you need to pick your little one up from school unexpectedly or stay home with them on a sick day, it’s that much easier to make your own work schedule when you run the show. The work-life balance of a mompreneur means you’re always there for your family when it matters most.
Extra Pocket Money
Parenting can be costly, and you want to give your family the best. Building your own business is a great way to add extra resources to the household.
Maybe that means more breathing room for paying bills and reducing debt, or maybe it means planning a family adventure that the little ones will never forget. Extra money means extra opportunities for you and your family to really live on your own terms.
Setting a Strong Example
When young children see their mom following her passion and trying to build something new and exciting, they’ll know it can be done. This is especially important for young girls, who are often told that business and entrepreneurship is reserved for men.
When you’re a momboss, you can show your little ones that they don’t have to sacrifice their goals and ambitions when they grow their family, but they can continue to do the things they love every step of the way. From your leadership and example, they’ll learn the importance of hard work, creativity, patience, and discipline. Those skills will serve them for a long time to come.
Following Your Dreams
Moms don’t have to give up their own lives and dreams when their babies are born. You’re still an individual, even when you become a mother, and that means your dreams and goals are still valid and important. Becoming a mompreneur will allow you to continue following those dreams while spending that important time with loved ones.
You’ll be able to stay in an industry you love, work with like-minded professionals, and build something that will really last. The sense of empowerment and pride that comes from following your dreams can help you on every stage of the parenting journey, as well.
How Can I Balance Work and Parenting?
Even if you love the idea of becoming a mompreneur working parent, the actual process might seem a little overwhelming. After all, how do you manage the unpredictable schedule of kids’ lives with your new business and how do you take your small business to the next level without sacrificing too much time with the kids?
Here are a few tips and tricks we’ve learned at PixieLane about balancing work and parenting:
Manage Your Calendar
The more organized your calendar is, the easier it will be to stay on top of those essential deadlines and due dates. A written calendar works for some business owners, but a digital calendar will remind you with alerts when you have events or activities coming up.
It may also be helpful to hang a calendar with important information on or near your workspace so that you always know what is coming up for work or family.
Find a Flexible Schedule
If your kids are older, it may be relatively easy to work while they’re in school or at their extracurricular activities, but flexibility is always important when it comes to running your own business. The more movable your schedule is, the easier it will be to meet your goals and deadlines between family events or after the kids go to bed.
Remember Self-Care
You have to remember to take care of yourself, as well as your family. As moms, we often put everyone else’s needs ahead of our own. But when we burn out, we don’t deliver on the attention or engagement our family and business deserve.
Make sure to set time apart where you can relax, draw a bath, read a book, or spend some time outdoors recharging before you hit the ground running again.
How Can I Become a Mom Boss?
If you’re looking to start your own business or become your own boss, taking that first step is easier than it might seem.
Here are a few things to consider when you begin your journey:
Find Your Passion
The more passionate and excited you are about your business, the easier it will be to find the drive and motivation to push forward, even when you’re faced with challenges. Follow your passions and explore the hobbies, products, and themes that give you joy and get you excited every day. That’s where your energy belongs.
Start Your Store
The good news is, you don’t need a brick-and-mortar store to be successful today. Online communities, social media, and new technology make it easier than ever to build a business with low overhead costs right from home.
And you even have lots of inexpensive and free resources to help you navigate everything from newsletters to ordering merchandise to Twitter and beyond.
Get Help From PixieLane
Here at PixieLane, we make it easy to join a team of dedicated, creative individuals who know what it’s like to balance work and family obligations. Not only do we welcome new consultants to our organization with resources, tools, and a community you can trust, but we’re also offering information on what we’ve learned as entrepreneurs over the years. We’re sharing all those business tools and tips with you.
Get Started
Building your own business doesn’t have to be overwhelming. As a parent, there are many reasons to consider getting started today. You’ll have extra resources, an improved work-life balance, and the chance to follow your own dreams and goals.
And PixieLane is here to help you every step of the way.
Check out our library to learn how you can begin building your own business as a mompreneur.
Sources:
Work-Life Balance is a Cycle, Not an Achievement | Harvard Business Review
How to Use Social Media in Your Career | New York Times
6 Tips For Organizing Your Schedule So You're More Productive | Bustle