Balancing Act: Managing Family and Business Without Losing Your Sanity

Hey there, fellow entrepreneurs and working parents! Let's be real—juggling family responsibilities while running a business can feel like a never-ending circus act. Between managing childcare, school drop-offs, client meetings, soccer games, and project deadlines, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. And I get it - as a toddler boy mom, an entrepreneur, and business coach - life around here can quickly spiral into chaos. But fear not! With the right strategies and mindset, I promise that you can manage both without losing your sanity.

Time Management Strategies for Balancing Family and Work:

1. Time-Blocking: One of my go-to strategies is time-blocking. I set specific hours for work and family activities, ensuring that each gets my full attention. For example, mornings might be dedicated to client calls and business planning, while afternoons are reserved for homework help and family time. I use my calendar to block out time for work (like most working people) AND personal / family activities. My partner and I both live and die by our calendars - if it's not on the calendar, it doesn't exist.

2. Prioritize Ruthlessly: Not everything needs to be done right now. Prioritize tasks that align with your business goals and family needs. This might mean saying no to certain projects or delegating tasks that don't require your personal touch. Part of the reason we as entrepreneurs and business owners are willing to work so hard is so that we have the ability to spend time not working. Setting priorities based on your long term goals is important. Before my son was born I made a promise to put family and kids first as much as I was able to. If I have the opportunity to eat lunch with him in the middle of the day, I'm going to take it.

3. Use Technology Wisely: Tools like shared family calendars and project management apps can keep everyone on the same page. Google Calendar is a lifesaver in my household for coordinating schedules and avoiding double-booking. My partner and I send each other calendar invites for any scheduled activity - daycare drop off and pick ups, doctors appointments, car maintenance, kids activities, travel, etc. If we're planning on doing it - it goes on the calendar.

Setting Boundaries and Maintaining Work-Life Balance:

1. Create a Designated Workspace: If you work from home, having a separate workspace can help you switch between ‘work mode’ and ‘family mode.’ This boundary not only increases productivity but also helps your family understand when you’re working and when you’re available. I'd be lying if my son hasn't barged in during client and team meetings to see me. It's easy to feel annoyed by the distraction, but I try to approach it with a smile. "Mommy is in a meeting right now, I can come play with you in a little bit."

2. Set Clear Expectations: Communicate with your family about your work schedule and expectations. Let them know when you need uninterrupted time to focus on your business and when you can be fully present with them. This is particularly useful between my partner and I. If one of us needs to work later, we are open and receptive to work needs, and we discuss who will handle what when it comes to kids and household duties.

3. Schedule Downtime: Just as you schedule work tasks and family activities, make sure to schedule downtime for yourself. Whether it’s a solo coffee break, a workout session, or just some quiet time to read, taking care of your mental health is crucial for maintaining balance. I cannot emphasize this enough. Everyone needs downtime, everyone needs a break. Be open with your family and business partners about that need. A gentle reminder that you also need to reciprocate that back.

Involving Family in Business Activities Without Compromising:

This is where you'll find I have mixed feelings. As someone who grew up in a family business, I have seen the upsides and downsides of family involvement in business. I think this largely depends on the type of business, and the level of expectations set.

1. Delegate House and Farm Chores: My kids help with house chores and farm chores instead of business tasks (appropriate to their age level) This way, they learn responsibility without the pressure of being involved in business activities that might be stressful or complex. As they get older, and they understand what we do in our businesses, maybe this will change. But for now, love and positivity are top priorities.

2. Maintain Boundaries with Your Partner: My partner and I own a business together, and businesses separately. We work very hard to keep our business out of our personal relationship. We make it a point to talk to each other if we feel the business creeping into our personal relationship, ensuring that our partnership remains strong. We set time aside to work on business strategy - during the work day, and then time aside weekly to work on personal goals and life check-ins. We have found that this system works best for us, and keeps us from getting upset at each other over something in the business that doesn't actually need to impact our relationship. If you are in a business with your spouse, you need to find your own boundaries.

3. Occasional Business Involvement: There are times when involving family in business activities can be beneficial and fun. I've brought my son to conferences, and he's helped man the tradeshow booth. He's barely 3, but he likes meeting new people, and exploring new places. And, I like to show him that I don't just sit at a desk all day. These experiences can be valuable and enjoyable as long as they don't become a regular expectation or source of stress.

4. Balance and Boundaries: Growing up, I helped my mom in her business, and while it was a great learning experience, it sometimes negatively impacted our relationship. Full disclosure, I'm now running that business, and there were times - even as an adult where I felt the negative impact. Now as an adult, we are able to have open coversations, and have set clear rules that our business doesn't impact our personal lives. I've seen the stress family involvement can cause in family businesses over the years. It's essential to find true balance and set boundaries to ensure your business doesn't negatively impact family relationships.

Navigating Neurodivergence and ADHD:

1. Hyperfocus and Family Time: As entrepreneurs, many of us are neurodivergent or have ADHD, which means we often get hyper-focused on work tasks and push off dedicated family time. It’s crucial to recognize this tendency and make a conscious effort to step away from work to engage in family activities, if that is your priority. I love my partner. He is an expert in what we call "rabbit holing". He could get lost for hours on some minor research task - so much so that he doesn't even see or hear me talking to him. It's easy to get annoyed by this, and feel like he is actively ignoring us. This is not even remotely true, his brain is just wired like this. Understanding that, and knowing how and when to pull him out is critical. I am guilty as well. It takes patience and understanding to make sure everyone is on the same page.

2. Mindful Transitioning: Practice mindful transitioning from work to family time. Set alarms or reminders to help you shift focus. Give yourself a few minutes to mentally prepare for the change in activity, making it easier to leave work behind and be present with your family. I personally need transition time from work to family. I find it difficult to go from "on" at work to immediately "on" with kids and family. I try not to schedule meetings at the end of the day. I also try to leave some quick tasks for the end of the day so I don't get lost in a project and set myself up for failure when it's time to transition to family time. We also sometimes incorporate a pre-dinner walk - this helps us give space between work, daycare, etc. and family time. It allows all of us to come back to center.

Balancing family and business is no walk in the park, but it’s absolutely doable with the right approach. I remember a time when I had a major client deadline looming, and I had promised my son we would go to the trampoline park. I knew I was at risk of disappointing my son. I set a timer, used calendar blocking, finished as much of my work as I could, and then we headed out for a fun-filled afternoon. Work will always be there after bedtime or in the morning. That balance is what keeps us happy as a family.

What about you? How do you balance the demands of family and business? Share your stories and tips in the comments—I’d love to hear from you! Together, we can thrive in both our personal and professional lives.