Tips and Tricks for the Business Owner Moms

How did I manage to work my way to this position and keep my sanity?  A mom is a full time job and more and more women are choosing to stay career driven business professionals and entrepreneurs at the same time.  This fine balance takes skill and communication to be successful at both. 

Now I can present to a room of relocation execs from China, with teething biscuits in my briefcase and baby photos in my planner then jet home to write a proposal and nurse my son.  How do we manage the pressure to be a perfect mom and a successful business woman while keeping up our wifely duties? 

In the 50’s woman typically had one role.  The role of a housewife and let me tell you that is one tough position.  Since then everything is bigger.  The food, the cost of living, the vacations, the homes, everything seems to increase including the responsibilities of today’s mom.  Today working execs are maintaining a home, a marriage, raising children and working full-time careers.  There is no time for practice or to get the hang of it as most moms’ have to take it on. If it becomes too much there are no bathrooms breaks, lunch breaks or sick days.  This super status is a super emotional rollercoaster. 

You may feel like you are in line for the ride and you just don’t meet that height requirement but just know that you do measure up and the adventure will more than you imagined.  Remember that other working moms exist and you are not alone.  Knowing that this has been achieved and conquered by others should give you peace of mind.  You will find that you can have it all, but you may start to wonder what about time for you.

When you wake up and you have a million tasks to complete for work and a beautiful little baby looking at you, remember to prioritize.  List any items that need to be completed that day and are of importance.  Anything non-urgent, take your time.  Remember that all your work and projects will be there just the same tomorrow. 

Involve your baby.  Stress can build up when you are trying to respond to an email and the little one is crying.  Babies love to participate in what you do.  They want nothing more in life than to be mom or dad’s little helper.  Try sitting with baby on your lap and read emails out load. Reading is always great for kids and they will respond will to being involved.  You can even purchase a small play laptop that they can practice on next to yours.

If you have a conference call or phone call make it walk time.  Pack the little one up in the stroller and get your headset on.  It is an excellent way to have fresh air, walking time for the baby and being on our feet actually helps to stay focused. 

At the end of the day, cross off some of the tasks you completed.  Even if you have more to do, save it for the next work day. Take time to prepare a home cooked meal with your baby.  Have your little one in the highchair next to you and let him watch you.  You will be able to unwind and separate the work day and your family time.  Evenings are always busy with dinner and family time.  At the end of the night after you get the little one to bed take a few minutes to list what you need to accomplish the next day.  Having a list ahead of time will help to have a fresh start to the morning and to stay on task.

Being a mom and career woman is not easy.  It takes more practice and preparation then any speech or business plan you could ever present.  With all things, it is possible, it is achievable and you will be a success.