The pandemic left many mothers feeling isolated, anxious, and stressed. Some were struggling to find childcare, while others were trying to figure out how to work from home with young children. And for some mothers who were laid off or furloughed, the financial insecurity was daunting.
Amid all this uncertainty, some mothers found that entrepreneurship was a viable option. A survey of 1,532 parents in the U.S. showed that 62% of mothers were interested in making extra income by starting their own business—with this number being even higher among mothers of color and single moms struggling the most during the pandemic.
For many mothers, entrepreneurship offers a way to create their own schedule, be their own boss, and make a living while also being present for their children. However, maintaining a work-life balance can be difficult, especially when starting a business from scratch.
Here are some tips for mothers who have dived into entrepreneurship:
Choose the Right People to Delegate Tasks
As a mompreneur, choosing the right people to delegate tasks is essential to maintain a work-life balance. You need to trust that the people you’re delegating to are competent and will get the job done right. Otherwise, you’ll have to do it yourself, defeating the delegation’s purpose in the first place!
It’s also important to delegate tasks within your employees’ skill sets. If you delegate a task outside their abilities, it will likely take them longer to complete and not turn out as well as you’d hoped.
When delegating a task, make sure to give clear instructions. The last thing you want is for something to be done wrong because your employees didn’t understand what you wanted. You can avoid any potential problems down the road by being clear from the start.
A better strategy is to delegate tasks to executives—that is, people who can help you with the day-to-day operations of your business. Find some if you don’t have the right executives to delegate tasks. You can seek help from executive recruiters. Executive recruiters can help you find skilled executives you can trust with your work. Moreover, you can access a vast pool of executives with these recruiters. Hence, you can select from a wide range of options.
Make Time for Self-care
As a busy mom, getting caught up in the never-ending cycle of work and home responsibilities is easy. However, it’s essential to make time for self-care to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Dedicating even just 30 minutes a day to yourself can make a world of difference. Whether taking a relaxing bath, going for a walk outdoors, or reading your favorite book, taking some time to unwind will help you feel refreshed and ready to tackle whatever comes your way.
It’s also important to schedule regular check-ups with your doctor, get enough sleep, and eat healthy meals to keep your energy levels up. Spending time with friends and family can also help reduce stress and rejuvenate you. It’s easy to put self-care on the backburner, but making time for it is crucial in maintaining a balanced work-life as a mompreneur. By making your well-being a priority, you’ll be able to take better care of those around you and run your business more effectively.
Set Boundaries
As a mompreneur, it is vital to set boundaries to maintain a healthy work-life balance. One way to do this is to set aside specific times for work and for personal/family time. For example, you might designate the hours of 9 AM to 5 PM as work time and reserve the evenings and weekends for family time. This will help you to focus on work during work hours and prevent work from spilling into your personal life.
Creating physical boundaries between your home office and the rest of your home is also essential. This might mean setting up a dedicated workspace in a spare room or establishing rules about not working in some regions of the house. Furthermore, setting boundaries with your clients and colleagues about when you are available for work-related matters is essential. This can help prevent any potential disruptions to your time. By setting boundaries, you can help to ensure that your work life does not take over your personal life.
Schedule Family Time
Lastly, schedule regular family time. Whether it’s daily dinners together or weekly movie nights, making quality time for your loved ones will help you recharge and recharge so that you can be your best self at work. This will also help prevent feelings of guilt or resentment from neglecting your family in favor of work. Additionally, setting aside time for activities and outings with your family can create lasting memories and strengthen your relationships.
Plus, your kids will appreciate the extra attention, and they’ll be less likely to act out when they know they have your undivided attention. And you will know what is going on in their lives and be able to support them better. So don’t forget to schedule family time into your busy mompreneur schedule.
Closing Thoughts
Maintaining a healthy work-life balance as a mompreneur can be challenging, but it is important for your well-being and your business’s success. By setting boundaries, prioritizing tasks, making time for self-care, and scheduling family time, you can create a balanced life that allows you to personally and professionally thrive.
