On Parenting, Being A Creative And Working From Home

For a parent, everyday can be a challenge. It’s hard enough caring for a child with a traditional job or the job of managing your home, but add a small business and things can get pretty interesting.

Yet, millions of parents do it anyway.

Did you know that J. K. Rowling was living on public assistance and struggling to support her baby when she started writing the Harry Potter stories? That Julie Aigner Clark started her Baby Einstein empire by making videos with hand puppets for her daughter in her basement? That Rachel Berliner and her husband Andy launched Amy’s Kitchen out of their house using high-quality ingredients and time-tested recipes?

Starting a business and keeping it afloat can be difficult while parenting young children. But for some parents, it’s another challenge they’re willing to accept.

I know many parents who take calls, fill orders, and schedule meetings in between playtime, meals, homeschooling, and any other thing they may need to do with their children. You might find some typing away in the wee hours when all is quiet but the computer keys. Giving and taking — just to keep family the number one priority.

My husband and I are no different.

Many nights, my husband comes home from his day job to work on freelance web design and art projects. It’s something he’s done for as long as I’ve known him. And now it’s normal for our entire family to sit in his office, toys sprawled on the floor while he works to meet the next deadline. We discuss business ideas and goals while I get roped into a game of “pick her up, put her down” with our baby girl.  Some days I write as my husband and daughter play peek-a-boo and clap together.  Other days I spend nap times and nursing times searching for people who will welcome my words or my careful eyes reading and editing theirs. Then there are days when no writing or working gets done.

I’m still learning what works, but I do know it’s possible to manage your home, be a full-time parent and use your passion and/or creativity to create business opportunities for yourself. And it’s all thanks to all the amazing mompreneurs I know who have little ones at home.

*If you are a mom with a business, let me know what it is and what you believe is the best/worst part of it all. And feel free to let me know about any mom-owned businesses you love. I may highlight those businesses and their owners in future posts.

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