It's not an easy path and adding kids to the mix definitely complicates things.
As a mom of three boys and a multiple business owner, I know first hand that this path is hard, but it’s definitely one worth taking.
I never know when I wake up in the morning what I’m going to be doing that day or where I am going to end up. I do have an idea, and a list of tasks to accomplish, but I must be able to pivot at any given point.
As always my kids come first; but they also know sacrifice. A clear example is the exact moment I am in right now - sitting in this freezing arena watching our middle child at hockey practice and looking at our youngest boy who doesn't appreciate being dragged out of bed at 4:30am. We are all reminded of the sacrifices we make for our family, including those that involve running a family business.
What I know, is that the greatest lesson I can teach my kids is sacrifice.
Being a mom entrepreneur means I can be flexible for them. Stay home with them during snow days, volunteer on school field trips and snuggle in bed when they are sick. It also means I have to work strange hours and not be around so much on the less important days. It is the theory of work hard, play hard. I teach them that if we get all of our work done first, then we can go and do something fun!
I believe in involving our kids in as many business tasks as possible. This makes them feel included and accomplished. Like they did a great job helping mommy that day (even if they actually made more work!)
Here are three ways you can include your kids in your business:
Putting Orders Together
Unloading Product
Special tasks
Comment below how you get your kids involved in your business, especially now that they are home with us for a while due to Covid-19.
Stay safe & healthy!