Real Life Mama: Juggling Family and Business Every Day
Hey there, fellow moms!
Balancing mamahood with running a business is no small feat, especially now that we're in the toddler phase. Let’s be real—those energetic little ones keep us on our toes, and most days can feel like a juggling act that's constantly on the edge. Finding time to work, practice self-care, manage house chores, and stay socially connected doesn’t happen seamlessly. More often than not, it’s a beautiful mess.
Instead of pretending we've got it all figured out, let's talk about the real, raw moments and how we can turn small wins into something meaningful. Whether it's during nap times, play times, or involving our kiddos in our work, we’ll explore how to create a somewhat harmonious work-life blend (because let’s face it—balance is rare).
Join me as I share the ups and downs of merging work with motherhood, and how we can still make progress and enrich our lives, all while nurturing our little ones. Let’s embrace the chaos and celebrate the imperfect but rewarding journey together!
Manage Your Time Like a Pro
Let’s face it, our time is limited, and we need to squeeze the most out of every minute.
1. Create a Nap Time Schedule
Start with a list of tasks you need to tackle and put them in order of importance. Make sure you're setting realistic goals—maybe just one or two major tasks per nap to avoid feeling like you have too much on your plate.
2. Get Prepped in Advance
Keep your workspace ready to go. A tidy area means no time wasted looking for that pen that always disappears. Also, do a bit of meal prep. Knowing you've got snacks and meals sorted means nap time won’t get eaten up by the kitchen.
Crafting special memories that will always stay in your heart and mind, moments you treasure and keep close, never to be experienced again. Make time for those moments.
Hit the Ground Running
When those little eyes close, it’s go time!
3. Focus on High-Energy Tasks
Use this quiet time to dive into critical tasks or anything that needs your full concentration. Batch similar tasks together so you don’t lose time switching gears too often.
Don’t Forget About You
We often put ourselves last, but a little self-care goes a long way.
4. Sneak in Some Self-Care
Do a quick 10-minute workout or stretching session to boost your mood. Take a few minutes to read a chapter of that book you’ve been dying to finish, or a guided breathwork session. Or simply just enjoy the cuppa hot for once.
House Chore Hacks
Keeping the house in order is tough, but it doesn’t have to be a mission impossible.
5. Speed Cleaning to the Rescue
Pick one area to tidy up each day. It keeps the chaos at bay without feeling like you’re deep-cleaning constantly. And when it comes to laundry, every morning do a load first thing, set the timer for 15 minutes. But what I’ve learned is to not use this time to clean when your baby or toddler is sleeping. Unless you really must.
Stay Connected
Moms need friends too!
6. Quick Social Catch-ups
Use nap time to respond to messages, emails, or even have a quick call with a friend. A few minutes on social media can help you stay in the loop with your social circle.
Keep It Distraction-Free
Silence notifications and keep unnecessary tabs closed—those distractions add up.
Be Flexible
Not every day will go according to plan, and that’s okay!
Some days, everything will fall apart, and that's when flexibility becomes your best friend. Take short breaks, breathe, and remember, you’re doing an amazing job, mama.
Conclusion
Let’s be real, with all those options, it does get overwhelming. So remember to do what works best for you. Some days might look different, and that’s perfectly okay. Some days, you might just want to snuggle up and watch your baby sleep – and that’s okay too. They say to sleep while the baby is sleeping, but we all know that rarely happens. So, whatever you choose, do it with intention. Because mama, you cannot get this time back. Soak in this new baby phase, because one day it’ll be just that – another phase that went by too fast. The dishes in the sink? Don’t worry about them.
When I had a few moments to myself, I used to freak out thinking of all the things I had to do. That’s why I follow the above tips. I realized that those precious moments aren’t for housework – because when the baby wakes or kids get home, they’ll make a mess anyway. Now, I tackle the jobs that are important or need quiet time to handle. If that doesn’t work, I focus on self-care – breathwork can be such a sweet treat too.
Making the most of your baby’s nap time is all about balance and planning. With these tips, you’ll juggle your life your business, self-care, house chores, and social connections like a pro.
Remember, it’s about progress, not perfection.
You’ve got this!
Much love & many blessings from one mama to another
Laura Lj - Mama to Adventurous almost 2 year-old
