Balancing being a parent and home business owner is not an easy feat. With so many things to take care of, it can get exhausting having to juggle between the two. However, many parents manage to successfully balance being a parent and work.
If you experience endless guilt while working and seem to struggle with managing being a parent, you are not alone. It is possible to be an entrepreneur and a parent at the same time. To help you manage the two, we share the top tips that will allow you to find the perfect balance.
Let’s get started.
1. Get Organized
Since your time is extremely precious, you need to get organized. Home business owners cannot rely on a traditional workplace. There is no time for you to waste sorting through documents and looking for files.
To minimize stress and stay sane, you have to keep everything organized at all times. This means that you cannot allow yourself to make a mess of things.
When you stay organized, you are more likely to get things done. A messy workspace prevents you from achieving maximum productivity.
Doing something as simple as cleaning does wonder. It brings about a much-needed change.
2. Have a Plan
There is no point in being organized if you do not have a plan. You can use Google tools or planning apps to sort through your work and family life. Having a plan for the day will allow you to excel in your role as a parent and business owner.
Prepare a schedule to set aside time for work and being a parent. You cannot just wait for things to fall into place. You must learn to be as flexible as possible since you never know when the babysitter could cancel or your kids could get ill.
3. Work with Family and Not Against Them
If you have a home office, you have to ensure that it is kid-proof. You will need to shop for child-safe drawers and covers for your office equipment. Make sure to keep all the important paperwork out of reach to avoid kids from coloring on your invoices and reports.
Now, it does not mean that you should not allow your kids to have some fun. You can have a space dedicated to the kids. It is where they can use crayons and have fun.
As your kids grow older, you can even involve them in work, such as by asking them to help stamp envelopes or even sort out the mail.
4. Work Nap to Nap Instead of 9 to 5
Being a parent and home business owner is all about being flexible. To get more things done, it is better to work nap to nap rather than a regular 9 to 5. It can not be easy to work while your child is awake. Hence, it makes sense to step into the office when your child takes a nap.
Head back to being a parent once your child gets up. Once you learn to manage work in-between naps, you will have an easier time completing all your work. The fact is that most tasks can be done at any hour of the day. Therefore, you should not restrict your working hours.
5. Stay Ahead of the Pack
To run a successful business, you have to stay ahead of the competition. You might feel exhausted once the sunsets. However, it does not mean that you should call it a day. Instead, you should prepare for the day ahead.
Make the most of the night by setting aside clothes for the next day, preparing lunch, clearing your desk, and going through your reading. You will thank yourself for a less chaotic morning. Similarly, you can also get up a little earlier to get more work done.
6. Ditch Traditional Roles
Gone are the days where parents had to follow traditional roles. Today, moms can work, and dads can stay at home. You must ditch traditional roles to succeed. Besides, you can never be the Martha Stewart that you always thought you could.
As you grow older, you need to accept that flexibility is everything. By letting go of traditional roles, you get to manage your home business better and being a parent. It all comes down to your priorities.
7. Schedule a Day with Your Child
Being a home business owner does not mean that you should always be working. You must schedule a day with your child. Besides, there are certain days where you cannot get your partner or babysitter to help. This is why it is better to turn it into a parent and child day.
Work harder before and after your day off. It will allow you to spend much-needed time with your child. When you have fun with your child, everything seems worth it.
8. Stay Focused
The hardest thing about being a parent and home business owner is that you can easily get sidetracked by the dishes, laundry, or your kids.
Prepare a list every month to determine everything that needs to be done in advance. Then, you can break it down day by day to stay focused.
9. Ask Your Partner for Help
Parenting is all about balance. Your partner is just as responsible for raising the child. This is why you have to communicate with your partner to find a balance for the two of you. As both of you are likely to be working a full-time job, you need to ask for help from time to time.
Balance Being a Parent and Home Business Owner
From getting organized to asking your partner for help, each tip mentioned above will allow you to be a good parent and business owner. Working parents are amazing at what they do. It takes a great deal of strength to manage to be a parent and a business owner.
In our never-ending quest for finding a balance, you must make every moment count. Make sure to take care of your needs at the end of the day.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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