The Juggle is Real - Running a business and a family.

It’s a question that I get asked a lot - ‘How do you balance both business and family life?’ Family has always been important to me, so being the best mam I can is my top priority! It’s no easy task and it often feels just like a juggling act, but I wouldn’t change it for the world!

Like with anything, personal or professional - you have to be present and focus on what you are doing in the moment. If you are trying to be everyone and everything at once, you aren’t giving yourself a fair chance! Focus instead on what you can realistically achieve and don’t berate yourself for not getting the ‘perfect balance’.?

Each day is a learning day. Keep your focus, set your boundaries and centre your attention on the positives.?

Dealing with the dreaded mammy guilt!

For all working mams out there, you will know exactly what I’m talking about... It’s a constant nagging voice in the back of your mind:

‘Maybe I’m not doing enough as a parent’

When it comes to your child’s day to day, whether it is an important milestone or a specific event - work can often get in the way. What’s important to remember is quality over quantity. When you are running a business/working, time is precious and you can't be everywhere at once. Instead of letting guilt set in, causing you to brew over what you missed, congratulate yourself on what you have done and continue to do for your children.

Of course, it is easier said than done...

For me, the best way to combat the guilt is to make sure that when I do have the time with my boys, I make the most of it. Focus on what is possible at the time and what you can do going forward!

Remember why you started your business

More and more mams out there are starting their own businesses...and I for one am thrilled.

Regardless of whether you started your business before or after you had children, it’s important that you remember WHY you started. We don’t start businesses to have a simpler life, we do it so we can have a better one, and for me this was being able to have the best of both worlds - family and business. The juggle of both means you face more obstacles than your average entrepreneur - a unique set of struggles.?

When your energy is divided between two worlds, it can be exhausting and lead you to want to throw in the towel! However, the bigger the struggles, the greater the reward. Remember WHY you started and how impressive your accomplishments really are. Your resilience is only going to teach your children the same and show them how impressive you really are.?

Asking for help

I’m very lucky to have a fantastic support network around me. Being close with my parents and in-laws has been a huge help when it comes to balancing work and family… and OF COURSE I have my wonderful husband. However, not all of us have the luxury of a supportive family, but this doesn’t mean that if you are struggling you shouldn't reach out for help. We put a lot of pressure on ourselves to be able to do it all, but sometimes you just need that little extra help. It’s not a sign of weakness. I know I have said it already, but I can't stress enough how you simply can’t do everything at all the time, and that’s okay.?

Final encouragement

It can often be an overwhelming existence being both mam and businesswoman. What I have learnt is that you have to make a clear choice with what you want. I never wanted to be the career woman with a phone in one hand whilst pushing my child on a swing with the other. When I leave work, I put on my mam hat and hang up my work hat, to make sure I’m all in when I get home to my kids.?

There is no single formula to the great juggle and as mothers we are all very different, but I just wanted to remind you that it can be done. If I can do it, anybody can. I hope these little pointers are helpful and I’m sure you are doing what us mams do best… being utterly fabulous.

You’ve got this!