Summer Guide to Entrepreneurship: Surviving your business with kids
When I started Clear Eyes 10 years ago, part of my WHY was so that I could be there for my young kids. Except for 12 months (TOTAL) of mat leave, I had spent their entire childhood to date working in my 9-5 and I wanted more than just dinner and bedtime with them.
Full disclosure: my kids are now 16 and 18. My days of having to pause my business during the summer because of the kids are long gone. I’ve been replaced with friends, video games, and lets be real…I don’t even see them till noon!
Yes running a business with young adults is MUCH easier, but I had to go through the muck to get here! And I remember the relaxing stress that summer used to bring. Lazy days at the lake, followed by late nights trying to catch up on work. It was the WORST work-life (im)balance ever.
If you’re a mom trying to do it all, you’re not alone, and those of us who have gone through it…we see you. So how do you survive?? Here are some tips to minimize the chaos and keep your sanity intact.
1. Reality Check
Reality Check, Mom’s: You aren’t going to be operating at 100%. Acknowledge it. Accept it. Communicate it.
Set realistic goals for both your business and your family life, and make sure you’re making your plans to consider the other! Biggest mom mistake I ever made was taking on a new client and promising to get a bunch of work done, when I was prepping for a road trip with the kids. I didn't do that again.
The number 1 thing to do here is let your clients know. Most people expect some sort of slow down over the summer. It happens in all businesses and industries. Just be sure to let everyone know that you’ll be operating at 50% for 2 months. They’ll understand (and if they don’t are they really the right people to be working with in the first place?). Send out emails, post a message on your website or store, or even just sent an auto-reply to all your messages. However you do it; set the expectation that you’ve got other priorities for the next two months.
2. Have a loose plan
When it comes to summer planning, I don't plan a week at a time like I can during the rest of the year. I plan out the full 2 months of summer break so I can see the big picture - usually from the last week of June to the first week of September.
I’d first block off road trips, camping trips, any summer camps or activities and any days I had childcare. Next I’d lay out the work that HAD to be done…like no option to delay, must do or die, type work - for me this was things like payroll or bill payments. And lastly, I’d make a list of all the other things I needed to (aka should) do.
It's important to note that this “should” list was never things that I would stress about. Yes it was stuff that needed to get done, but if it waited till September when the kids were back in school, then that was ok. Nothing would fall apart.
Lastly, I’d take a look back at that must do work and see if I needed to find some childcare to help me out - a visit to grandma’s? Phone a field for a playdate? Drop in day-camp? That’s when I’d start planning to help get things done. And on those days, after the “must do’s” were checked off, I would knock off a few things on the “should do” list too.
3. Be Flexible
Part of realistic expectations is also your schedule. Rigid schedules can be tough with kids around. Instead, create a flexible plan for your day. Set specific work goals, but allow some wiggle room for the inevitable interruptions. It takes a lot longer to get something done if you’re always having to stop what you’re doing and get back to it. And your kids are going to need you a lot. A flexible schedule helps reduce stress and keeps you productive even when things don't go as planned.
Sometimes, the quietest moments in the house are when the kids are asleep - like nap time! Oh those were the days!! Use this time to tackle your most important tasks that require your full concentration.
Early mornings can be a great time to plan your day, respond to emails, or brainstorm new ideas. Late nights are perfect for finishing up projects or preparing for the next day. Even now that my kids are older, I still like working during the late evenings and I schedule my emails or messages to go out in the morning.
4. Set Up a Kid-Friendly Workspace
Having a designated workspace can help you focus, but it’s also smart to have a kid-friendly area nearby. Set up a small table with coloring books, puzzles, or toys to keep them entertained while you work. This way, they feel close to you, and you can keep an eye on them while minimizing constant interruptions.
As they got a bit older, for me this meant taking my laptop to the family room to watch movies or shows with the kids. It was our “family time” and regardless of being on my computer, I was there with them. I’m sure their therapist will have a thing or two to say about that approach, but whatever…I did my best.
5. Remember This Is Temporary, and Take Care of Yourself
Your business and your kids are not always going to be like this. Your business will grow, as will your kids and both come with different and new challenges! It can feel frustrating and overwhelming but I can promise you, you might even look back and miss that time with your kids…I mean I haven’t “yet” but one day I might??
It’s easy to forget about yourself when you’re taking care of everyone else. Schedule some “me time” to recharge. Whether it’s a quiet cup of coffee, a walk outside, or doing your nails, taking care of yourself is crucial for maintaining your energy and sanity.
[NOTE: I say that last part as an obligatory “take care of yourself message.” Know that I didn't do any of this and I turned out ok. For me, having a drink and going to bed was all the “self-care” I could muster, so take it with a grain of salt. Do your best, and just keep moving forward.]
6. Delegate and Outsource
You don’t have to do everything yourself - whether it's in your home or business! Delegate household chores to other family members or consider hiring help if it’s within your budget. Pawn those productivity suckers off on others any chance you get (hahaha).
Outsource tasks that are time-consuming or not within your expertise. This frees up more time for you to focus on your business and family. You can start with a virtual assistant to help out here and there and avoid the whole recruitment/employee process. Virtual Guru’s [link] is who I used when I first started!
Remember my friend: You’re not alone. Connect with others who are in the throes of kid-chaos too. You may learn a few tricks, but more importantly you can share your parenting trauma and be comforted in the fact that (1) it's not just YOUR kids and (2) you’re not a bad mom.
Running a business while raising young kids is no joke. With a bit of planning, flexibility, and a lot of love, you can make it work. Remember to give yourself a break. You’ve got this, super mom!