5 Things Every Entrepreneur Parent Needs to Hear

“There’s so much to do!” This may be the thought that circles in your head when you start thinking about parenting and being an entrepreneur simultaneously. It may feel like your brain is short circuiting and you’re paralyzed with everything on your plate. And it’s a fair enough thought; there is so much to do. However, there are many benefits to doing both, and today we’re here to encourage that it is possible to manage both without losing your marbles. Here are 5 things that every Mompreneur and Dadpreneur needs to hear:

1. Make a schedule and protect your time.

It’s valuable to you and your family, your time that is. This seems basic, but it’s essential to understand that it’s something worth protecting and making a priority. Schedule in playtime where you put down your phone and laptop to literally ‘unplug.’ Schedule in dedicated work time where your kids are with your spouse, or at school or daycare. Don’t let work overflow into your family time, or vice versa. Protect your time from outside influences such as relatives who think that work from home means you’re free all the time. This also sets a good example for your employees that you value your personal time and it’s ok for them to do the same.

2. It’s OK if you need help, ask for it.

This is a difficult one for the kind of people who are entrepreneurs, myself included. You are a go-getter, a visionary, and you want to do all the things, all the time if that’s what it takes. This is why you need to hear this: ask for help when you need it. Part of being a good leader is delegating. If you need help with the house once a week, don’t be afraid to hire help. It doesn’t mean that you’re not doing a good job. If you need help with the kids on Saturday mornings, ask for it. If you’re already following #1 and managing your time well, getting help where you need it will actually make you more productive and make it easier to stick to your schedule (so you can play superheroes and celebrate success with tea with your daughter on Saturday afternoon).

3. There’s plenty of time to be a great parent and entrepreneur.

It might not seem like it, but there is. The beauty of being an entrepreneur is that you can sometimes integrate work and family. Maybe to you this means taking your son to the park and bringing your phone along so you can listen to a podcast while you’re there, or maybe this looks like running errands and bringing along your daughter so you can sing songs in the car in-between business drop-offs/pick-ups. Mompreneurs and Dadpreneurs – there’s time for the important things; I promise.

4. It won’t always be like this (so enjoy it!).

One of these days, your kids are going to grow up, and you’ll own a well-established business, and life will look different and come with a different set of challenges and joys. Enjoy the days while your kids are small, the ones during their teen years, and every day in between. Parenting and life seems hard sometimes, but take it one day at a time, and remember to embrace the beauty, even in the chaos.

5. You’re doing a GREAT job!

You are. I’ll remind you of this, and you keep reminding yourself, too, because it’s true. Even if your child painted the entire kitchen table with the refried beans set aside for taco Tuesday, you’re still doing a great job. Even on days when work feels like too much and things don’t fall into place and you inwardly have a moment of “I wish I was a regular employee,” keep pushing parentpreneurs. The benefits way outweigh any negatives, and the negatives are always temporary.

For more wise words from the mouths of entrepreneurs themselves, check out this Huffington Post article written with people like you mind, 11 Amazing Things About Being an Entrepreneur and a Parent. Until next time, keep being an awesome #momboss or #dadpreneur; you’ve got this!

I’d love to hear from you!