Useful Tips for "Mompreneurs"

Since I'm speaking tonight at The Women of Georgetown dinner about being a "Mompreneur", I thought I would pass along a few tips for all of you that can't be here.

Being a Mom (or Dad) entrepreneur has its pros and cons. The flexibility of being able to plan your business day around your children is at the top of every entrepreneur parent’s pro list. And the realization that this notion of flexibility is somewhat of a myth is right up there at the top on the con list.

But the fact remains, no matter how hard we work at our businesses, we ‘re on the right track. We do have ultimate say so in how we spend our time, and we are making a living, creating a lifestyle, and establishing a legacy for our children.

Over the summer, we tend to relax our usual busy routine to spend some extra time with the kids. As time passes, however, we start to realize we’re falling behind. And as much as you love your kids, you start to look forward to having them out of your hair for a few hours each day so you can get some work done.

What I’m getting at is being a parent entrepreneur is challenging. It’s natural to have a love-hate relationship with your flexibility and your responsibilities. Routines are difficult to establish, and it’s especially challenging for you and the kids when the routine changes.

So here are some "Mompreneur" tips that should get you off to a good start:

Plan the Year

Sit down with your work calendar and the school calendar side by side. Have conversations with teachers, coaches, and other parents to get a good idea of what the months ahead will entail. Big projects, games, and trips shouldn’t be a surprise. Of course you’ll always run into the unexpected, but careful planning helps things run as smoothly as possible.

Schedule Your Day

I often work with people who plan their work day down to the minute and juggle appointments with ease and grace. But when it comes to dinner, homework, and kid’s bed times, you guessed it. The kids run the show. I’m certainly not here to tell you how to run your household, but I’m just sayin’… don’t you think nighttime chaos creates stress that carries over into your business? Avoid unnecessary stress and guard your “me” time each evening by getting into a routine that protects your sanity.

Hire Your Kids

Of course children should have plenty of time to just be kids, but letting them in early on what it takes to run a business gives them a huge leg up in life. As you ease into the year, brainstorm ways you can incorporate business lessons into their overall learning experience. If they are old enough, give them jobs to do – little ones can dust your office, tweens can help with the filing, and high-schoolers can run errands (and be sure to check with your accountant about possible tax benefits of paying the teenagers).

Get a Support Team

Stop trying to do it all. Grandparents, neighbors, nannies, mother’s helpers, spouses (or exes), and other parents are all part of the village that help raise your children. Throughout the hustle and bustle of the school year, don’t hesitate to call on those you trust and hire the help you need. It’s not something to feel guilty about. Remember, you’re doing this for yourself and for your children. Keep your focus on using your time wisely so you can do your best in all areas of life.

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