How I balance running my business and raising a family

By Sarah Pascaru , founder of Social Jooce | Social training & strategy .

Plan for flexibility?

Planning is important; planning for flexibility is key. Taking the time to map out upcoming business meetings and family commitments for the week ahead can help you figure out how best to organise your time and prioritise. You can then look at fitting the week’s plan into your daily routine, so that you’re able to fulfil what needs to be done.??

However, given the unpredictably that comes with raising a family, as well as commitments of running a business, it’s crucial to have flexibility baked into your plan. Whether it’s a sick child or an urgent deadline, being open and flexible to moving commitments around when the unforeseen happens helps keep your plan robust.??

Of course, that’s not always possible; so, re-plan, re-organise, and re-deploy. Though it can be a real challenge balancing work and home life, once you get into the habit of flexible planning, it’s easier to find what works best for your business and family.

Set boundaries between work and family life?

A great way to help you plan for your week ahead is to ensure that you set boundaries between work and family life; and stick to them. It’s easy to let work creep into your family time, working right through evenings or a weekend, and pushing family priorities aside.??

When I first started, I built my business to work around my young family, but I started letting work calls, projects, and emails eat into my family time. I had to remind myself that the reason I started my own businesses was for my family, so it was important I made time for them. Having clear boundaries also helps overcome the feeling of guilt when you miss a child’s sports day, forget to respond to an email in a timely manner, or just take time off for yourself; boundaries help frame the time you have and encourages you to spend it wisely.

Lean on your networks for support?

With limited family support to rely on, it can sometimes be a real challenge juggling running my business and looking after my kids. I often utilise a combination of paid childcare and wrap-around activities offered by the children’s school to keep them engaged with an activity they enjoy. Though this can be a bit more challenging during the holidays, I’ve joined several parenting networks, such as Doing It For The Kids , founded by Frankie Tortora and Being Freelance , founded by Steve Folland , which are national communities for working parents where they share tips, tricks, and host a few social events every year that the kids can attend.?

I’ve also found smaller business networks to be an incredible resource, such as the Business Incubator at the University of Hertfordshire. It’s given me the opportunity to partner with other businesses as well as meet other self-employed parents who have invited me to join wider friendship and parenting networks, which support and advise self-employed parents like me.?

Outsource what you can?

As a solo business owner and mother of two boys, managing everything can sometimes be overwhelming. So, outsource as much as you can; utilise freelancers and consultants for your business; rope in partners or family to help pick up family commitments; hire in people to help sort out household tasks such as cleaning; subscribe to dinner-in-a-box companies that help cut back on the time it takes to cook; and have groceries delivered to your home to save time on weekly shops. Delegating what you can is a sustainable way to manage everything and frees you up to focus on what’s truly important.

Carve out time for yourself?

Between meetings, emails, swimming lessons, and children’s birthday parties, it’s easy to forget to make time for yourself. But it’s important to create time just for you; negotiate deadlines with clients, share parenting responsibilities with a partner or family member, move family appointments around.?

Try to take at least an hour for yourself during the week and use it to do what you love; hit the gym or go for a walk, read a chapter of a book you’ve been meaning to get into, or just sit in a quiet room with your favourite cuppa. Stepping out of the hustle and bustle of juggling entrepreneurial and family responsibilities can help reframe, reset, and refresh you for the rest of the week.

About Sarah Pascaru?

Mother of two young boys, Sarah Pascaru founded her social media consultancy, Social Jooce, five years ago to help service-based businesses thrive and grow using social media. Before becoming a social media consultant, she spent 13 years working in the world of financial services, e-commerce, and fintech. Working alongside trusted marketing professionals, graphic designers, and photographers, Sarah strategically brings together all the elements a business needs to transform their brand; from connecting and engaging with target customers, to building the confidence needed to manage social media that genuinely works. Sarah also holds a Diploma in Strategic Social Media Marketing, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA).