Although there’s no secret recipe to balancing work and motherhood, there are thousands of women out there who have learned to do it successfully, women who’ve taken on this challenge before us and have come out on top.
I’ve been fortunate to have the opportunity to interview many, many entrepreneurial moms. And without fail, at some point during our conversation, they all say the same thing: “When I’m working, I feel like I should be with my kids. But when I’m with my kids, I feel like I should be working.” But that guilt doesn’t stop us from striving for success in both work and as a mother–we want to be able to do them both and do them both well. And if you ask any mom entrepreneur, they’ll probably tell you what they’re doing now is the most rewarding thing they’ve ever done. It’s certainly not easy, but it’s worth it.
I know for a fact that any one solution won’t work for everyone. But I’ve found some common themes among the successful working moms that I know, and here are their 10 tips for being both a terrific mom and business owner.
1. Get–and stay–organized.
2. Have a plan.
3. Work with your family, not against them.
4. Think nap to nap, not 9 to 5.
5. Stay ahead of the game.
6. Suzy Homemaker who?
7. Schedule a mommy day.
8. Stay focused, and don’t get sidetracked.
9. Get help from your partner, then thank him for it.
10. Take care of you.
Photo by mirimcfly