My Daughter Needed Emergency Oral Surgery and I Almost Lost It: Navigating the Chaos of Entrepreneurship and Solo Parenting

As a solo mom and entrepreneur running several businesses, each with multiple big projects, I found myself on the brink of a breakdown when my daughter needed emergency oral surgery. The overstimulation of my nervous system was off the charts, and I almost lost it. In this article, I'll share my experience, how I identified the problem, what I did to solve it, and what I plan to do to minimize the chances of it happening again. If you find yourself in a similar situation, I hope my insights will help you navigate the chaos.

The Emergency

Picture this: It's just before 2 AM after a late night of grant proposal writing and overtired Slack exchanges, and I'm jolted awake by my daughter's cries of pain. As I rush to her room, I discover that she's in agony due to a severe tooth infection.

WOAH. At that moment, my world turned upside down. Again. But this time, it felt different from the beginning. I didn't know about this new sensation, but I knew I had to act fast to get her the care she needed. And also, there was that not-so-insignificant 7:30 AM meeting looming just ahead...

Overstimulation and Its Effects

Running multiple businesses is challenging enough, but add in the stress of solo parenting and a child's (or, in my case, a young adult's) medical emergency, and you've got a recipe for overstimulation. I felt like I was being pulled in a hundred different directions, and my body started to show signs of the strain. I was exhausted, irritable, and constantly on the verge of tears. I had an upset stomach, was easily distracted, was extremely jumpy, and was generally not pleasant to be around.

Identifying the Problem

It took me a moment to realize that my nervous system was overwhelmed. As entrepreneurs, we often pride ourselves on our ability to handle anything that comes our way, but sometimes we need to step back and acknowledge when we're reaching our limits. Self-awareness is key to managing stress and preventing burnout.

Finding a Solution

After realizing that I was feeling overstimulated, I took action. I reached out to my support network and asked for help with my daughter's care, while delegating tasks to my team. I also prioritized self-care by taking short breaks throughout the day to breathe and refresh myself. I decided to shift some of my responsibilities for the day to other days or weeks to avoid overwhelming myself. Finally, I gave myself the grace to just be present and focus on what truly matters.

And I'm happy to report that nothing fell apart or broke in the meantime.

Lessons Learned

This experience taught me the importance of work-life balance and setting boundaries. As much as I love my businesses, I realized that I can't pour from an empty cup. Taking care of myself and my family needs to be a top priority, even if it means saying no to certain opportunities or projects.

Preventing Future Occurrences

To minimize the chances of reaching a breaking point again, I've implemented several strategies. I now schedule regular check-ins with myself to assess my stress levels and make adjustments as needed. I've also learned to build additional contingency plans into my schedule (one of my other daughters is paralyzed, so I already had some built-in, but I guess not enough!), allowing for unexpected events like my daughter's emergency.

Advice for Readers

If you find yourself in a similar situation, remember that it's okay to struggle and that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Prioritize self-care, ask for support when you need it, and try to maintain perspective. As entrepreneurs, we often feel like we have to do it all, but the truth is, we're only humans.

Conclusion

Navigating the chaos of entrepreneurship and solo parenting is no easy feat, but with self-awareness, support, and a commitment to self-care, it is possible. Remember, you're not alone in this journey, and it's okay to lean on others when things get tough. By sharing our experiences and supporting one another, we can all thrive in the face of even the most challenging circumstances.