I started my own business seven years ago when my second child was born and my eldest was four in part-time nursery. Although I was lucky enough to pin down work-from-home contracts as a Freelancer, working with pre-school children wasn’t plain sailing. And it is still a challenge now that I have a third child, who is coming up to four years old.
Mumpreneur with pre-school children
On the one hand, it’s great being able to work around the various school/nursery schedules. But on the other hand, I often feel as though I’m “fitting work in” and constantly juggling.
The ad hoc nature of my various freelance projects also means that I don’t want to pay for childcare when I don’t really need it. Childminders, au-pairs and of course wonderful grandparents, are a godsend as they can often help out a moment’s notice.
But suppose you don’t have reliable friends or family living locally and like many other mumpreneurs, find that you simply have to juggle the best way you can between you and your partner?
Here are some handy tips which you might find helpful:
1. If your little one is already in part-time nursery, does the nursery have capacity for extra ad hoc days at short notice? Some are able to provide this service, so it might just prove to be a life saver if an urgent project crops up.
2. If your little one is with a child-minder, cram your work into the time slots, or the days when your child is being looked after.
3. Similarly, if your child is at home with you full time, work around napping times. It is amazing how focused you can be when you know you ‘only’ have a one or two hour window at a time to complete something. The chances are you won’t keep stopping to check your emails or break off to catch up on Twitter/Facebook/Pinterest etc., but will simply catch up with your social networking at the end of the day – if you’re not too exhausted or at the weekend.
4. Many find that evenings when the little one is in bed, or at the weekend (especially Sunday evening) is a great opportunity to catch up in complete peace and quiet.
5. Don’t neglect your marketing. This might sound like a silly suggestion. After all, it doesn’t literally help with the problem of juggling around your preschoolers. However, often we are so busy getting on with bringing in the pounds and pennies that we forget (or don’t have time) to market our business. Yet getting your name out there is the only way you will get more customers. Try to put aside some time each week when you do nothing but marketing, whether it is updating your blog, scheduling your social media messages, or if you are a freelancer, pitching for work. Some writers pitch up to 20 article ideas at a time!
6. Be creative with how you obtain help for your business. Sometimes we struggle alone, when simply asking for help could free up some valuable time. If you are running your business on a budget, why not swap services with someone else? It’s a great way to connect with others, and it also means that you both see each others’ business grow.
Are you a mumpreneur with pre-school children? What tips would you add to this list?
Mary
I totally concur with what has been said, I have and in the process of setting up my business with one in primary and one toddler. I have a brilliant live out au pair and local family on hand to help. I would add that it is important to seek a local networking group to bounce ideas, meet others in the same boat and socialise even if it is for a quick 10min coffee. This is a lovely way to meet other mums who can recommend childcare in the local area if that is what you need. That ‘me’ time is essential too. Sometimes you can swop kids for an adhoc occasion. Last night in fact I was babysitting and my friend will repay the favour.
Audrey you are absolutely right! This is what motivated me to found the London Mums organisation. I personally do the same as you do and it is wonderful when it works with close friends and people you trust.
Great article and it is so true about capturing those precious moments when children are either sleeping or pre-occupied. Being a Mum and running your own business does sometimes fill me with guilt – but then…when i am able to attend a school nativity….or help on a school trip, then working for yourself is just fantastic too!! I have found that happy Mum + happy children (well, some of the time anyway!)
I agree about the flexibility. Mumpreneurs’ job is 24/7 but at least flexible and you can work at night if needed with no waste of time in terms of useless meetings …. I still remember how much time we used to waste in the office when I work with big corporations. These days every minute is precious and valuable.