Hello World! Welcome Friends! Juggling entrepreneurship and parenting is far from easy, but trying to handle both simultaneously can be exceptionally challenging. There is no perfect way to go about things, but there are tips you can keep in mind to help balance running a business and childcare.
Be Willing to Ask for Help
No matter how hard people try, no one can handle everything alone. It is essential to ask for help, even if you do not want to, if it is best for a situation. For example, if your child’s daycare pickup time overlaps with an important business meeting, see if one of your loved ones can run to the daycare for you. If you need opinions about services or products you are considering offering through your business, do not hesitate to ask your trusted friends. When it comes down to it, many people genuinely want to help.
Choose Childcare That Meets Your Needs
Several types of childcare you should consider, including before and after care, part-time and full-time daycare, hiring a live-in or part-time nanny, and having a loved one watch the kids. Additional factors include your budget, the age of your kids, whether they are in school, and what childcare options you are comfortable with. You then must take all those factors and choices and see what would best mesh with running your business.
Be Kind and Patient with Yourself
Many parents are already hard on themselves, but there can be double the guilt of being a self-employed parent. When you are with your kids, it may feel like you are missing out on doing things for work, and then you feel guilty because you are thinking about work while spending time with your kids. You might feel guilty about not being with your children while working.
It is essential to be kind and patient with yourself and cut yourself some slack. You will find balance later; it will take time. However, even when you see some semblance of a balance, there will still be ebbs and flows. All you can do is try your best.
Be Realistic About the Situation
It is crucial to be realistic about what is going on between parenting and entrepreneurship. If you are feeling overwhelmed, it is okay to say so, and if you need help, there is nothing wrong with that. It does not make you any less of a stellar parent or a boss. Being honest with yourself and those closest to you could lead to valuable solutions.
Stay on Top of Scheduling
Establishing a schedule will be paramount for running a business and balancing parenting. Parents typically get a calendar of school happenings at the beginning of the year, and if kids play sports, a calendar at the start of each respective season. When you get these calendars, put the important dates into your personal calendar. Incorporate that schedule if your child does additional activities, like martial arts. Additionally, if the kids attend daycare, remember to add the dates the place will be closed so you can prepare for alternative childcare.
As an entrepreneur, you can make your own schedule, although things may come up that require adjustments. While you should keep all the individual schedules separate, there should also be one primary calendar where you combine everyone’s agenda. Hence, there is no accidental overlapping of times and dates.
Make Time for Yourself
Many entrepreneurs will laugh at this one, but it is essential to make time for yourself, even with the busyness of each day. Yes, you are incredibly busy and have a million things going on, but you are also more than a parent and more than an entrepreneur. You are a whole person who deserves to take a spa day, go to the movies alone, or have time to do the things you love. Even if you cannot take spontaneous time for yourself, pencil it in so you make sure it happens.
Balance Closed Daycare and School Days With Work Vacation Days
If your child goes to daycare and/or school, try balancing it with your days off from work. For example, if they have a week off for spring break, see if you can schedule that time off, too. This scheduling agreement ensures you take some vacation time to do extra activities with your kids, and you will not have to worry about who will watch them during school and/or daycare closures.
Do Not Be Afraid to Say No
For many, saying no is incredibly difficult. However, as a parent and a boss, you will sometimes have to. If there is no way you can say yes, or you could, but it will put stress and an incredible strain on yourself, it is okay to say you cannot do it. There is nothing wrong with setting boundaries for yourself.
Schedule Remote Days When Possible
If your child is in school or daycare during the day and you can work remotely, it can be an excellent chance to get work done without disruptions. You could also do specific tasks around the home simultaneously, like throwing in a load of laundry, vacuuming when you take a break, or putting food in a slow cooker for dinner. Working remotely can be a great way to find some balance while still getting as much done as possible.
Consider Hiring an Assistant
You do not necessarily have to employ a full-time assistant, but hiring one who can do tasks for you for five or 10 hours per week can be incredibly beneficial. Hiring an in-person or virtual assistant can free up at least several hours in your schedule. They can do various tasks, from scheduling meetings and setting dinner reservations to making travel itineraries and data entry. You can use that extra time to spend with your child and other loved ones or devote to your business.
You can run a business and be a fantastic parent, but know that both will not always be completely balanced, and that is okay. Start by listing how you can have more harmony between the two while still making time for yourself. Take small steps that can produce significant results; before long, things can go much more smoothly once you find a workable rhythm.
Sandra Chiu works as Director at LadyBug & Friends Daycare and Preschool.
Click the links below for any posts you have missed:
Safety Consideration of Exterior Painting
Increasing Brisbane Home Value
4 Most Common Causes of Household Basement Floods
8 Ways to Save Money on Your Bathroom Remodel
How Pressure Washing Can Give Your Business the Best First Impression
I’d love for you to join my email list! You’ll receive a notification straight to your inbox which will include links to my latest home project posts! Simply enter your address below.
Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful day/night depending on where you are in the world! Go with God and remember to be kind to one another!
Toodles,
[…] Entrepreneurship and Parenting: How to Juggle Running a Business and Childcare […]