I don’t need to tell you to imagine kids running around in the office while you’re struggling to finish your office work. You might even read this while you’re cradling your infant while feeding them milk.
Being a businesswoman while being a mother? It’s hard, I know. Been there and done that. Holding yourself together as you’re pressured by the business and hearing a bawling kid. You can rest easy now.
Here are some useful tips from my experience on how to care for your children while still being able to be productive as a solopreneur.
1. Work with your kids, not against them
While your kids are young, it would be unavoidable to take them with you inside the office. In the meantime, make your office child-proof and friendly. Cover your computers and hide other office supplies.
Lock your drawers so that you wouldn’t find your important documents lined with crayons. Better yet, give your children something to draw on like a crayon and scrap paper.
Doing this is actually good because when they grow old, they can get involved. When that time comes, let them help you with small tasks like stamping or shredding papers.
2. Set the next day every night
Every evening you’re sure to be exhausted especially if you follow the 9 to 5 routine. But, always make sure to spare more minutes for preparing the kids’ clothes to wear for tomorrow. Set the coffee pot. Clear your office desk and ready the lunch boxes.
You’ll be thanking yourself by doing so as you’ll find your mornings less chaotic. A better piece of advice is to rise early so you can get everything done before your family is awake. Fewer distractions that way.
3. Schedule a mommy day
Don’t stress yourself by working and doing mommy responsibilities all week. Schedule a day off of your own. Like for example, if you choose your mommy day to be Friday, then, have overtime during your Thursdays and do extra work during Saturdays.
4. Batch your chores for more focus
Life as a mother is much easier if you make some plans. Laundry, groceries, and dishes will interrupt your work the same as children do if you don’t set a schedule of tending to them. So, write these tasks in your planner. Schedule them.
Which ones can be done once a month? What task should you do once a week? On what day will you do them? For day-to-day activities, what time of the day will you do chores?
5. Ask help from your partner
Solopreneurial success is hard to achieve especially if nobody is there to help you. Don’t be anxious to ask your partner for assistance. Better yet, ask him to share chores with you. After he agrees and gets all the work done, give him a thankful kiss. This simple act of gratitude and romance will also keep the fire burning despite the stress of parenthood.
6. Do more during their naptime and night
Don’t forget to schedule your kids some naptime. This will be helpful for you because you’ll be giving yourself a lot of time to focus especially for work that needs a lot of effort. The best schedule for kiddie naptime is to identify when your peak hours are first.
You can also take it easy during the day, where you get to spend more time taking care of your children while working on small office tasks. This way, you can take naps with your kids and save energy to work later for a night shift.
Being a mother is no ordinary task. Juggling maternal responsibilities and solopreneurial work makes it even harder. So, get as much help as you can from your husband. Make your kids follow a scheduled naptime. Let them help you in the office as well when they can. And, maximize your productivity while your youngins are asleep or busy.
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