How I Do It All as a Stay-at-Home Mom and Business Owner
After reading the title, you might be reading this blog post searching for the secret and thinking ‘how does she do it all?’ The secret– I don’t. 😉
Being a stay-at-home mom is a demanding role on its own, and when you add running a business into the mix, it becomes an intense juggling act. As a brand and web designer with a toddler at home, I’ve experienced firsthand the unique challenges that come with balancing work and motherhood.
From client deadlines to toddler tantrums, the reality is far from the polished Instagram feeds of entrepreneurship and motherhood. It’s messy, unpredictable, and overwhelming at times, but it’s also deeply rewarding and I wouldn’t change it for anything.
Many people have this idealized image of entrepreneurship—working in a beautifully curated home office, sipping coffee, working in Greece or Paris and having the flexibility to do it all on your own terms.
But the reality of running a business as a stay-at-home mom?
Well, it’s more like squeezing in design revisions between nap time and chasing a toddler around the house while answering client emails.
Balancing Toddler Care and Business Responsibilities
When you’re a stay-at-home mom, there’s a lot to balance! Toddlers don’t understand the concept of deadlines or important business calls. They don’t care if you have a major project due or a client meeting in five minutes. They want your attention, and they want it now. This constant tug-of-war between my toddler’s needs and my work responsibilities can feel exhausting at times, but it’s also made me more adaptable and creative in how I manage my time.
Some days, I’m able to sit at my desk for a solid hour while my son plays independently, and other days, I snuggle with him, watch his favorite show (which is Paw Patrol right now 🙂 or play with him. My mornings often begin with getting both of us ready for the day, making breakfast, and I’ve become a pro at drafting creative concepts with one hand while holding my son in the other.
Learning how to manage these competing responsibilities has taught me that productivity looks very different when you’re a stay-at-home mom. Instead of aiming for a solid 8-hour workday, I break my time into smaller chunks—working during naps, early mornings, or after bedtime.
I’m learning to prioritize the most important tasks and let go of the idea of “perfect” productivity. Flexibility is key, and on days when everything feels chaotic, I remind myself that both my child and my business are growing because of my efforts.
If this resonates with you, know that I see you mama! It’s not easy raising a child (or children) and it’s not easy to do that while growing a business! But it is worth it.
The Power of Nap Time: Making Every Minute Count
Nap time is the golden hour for every stay-at-home mompreneur. It’s the precious window of time when you can focus solely on your business without distractions. My husband often says “Mommy loves nap time!”
But there’s a catch—nap time is never guaranteed, and some days, your child may decide to skip it altogether.
When my son goes down for a nap, I immediately switch into work mode. I have my to-do list ready and prioritize the most pressing tasks, whether it’s responding to client emails, working on a website design, or brainstorming branding concepts. The trick to making the most of nap time is to eliminate distractions. Social media, household chores, and non-essential tasks can wait. Those 90 minutes (or less, depending on the day) are sacred and need to be used wisely.
However, nap time can also be unpredictable. Just when you think you have a solid two-hour block of work time, your toddler wakes up after 30 minutes, throwing your plans into disarray.
It can be frustrating, but I’ve learned to roll with the punches. On the days when nap time is cut short, I try to adjust my expectations and either work after bedtime or let some tasks carry over to the next day. But I struggle with feeling productive sometimes…and it’s never perfect!
The Myth of Work-Life Balance
Work-life balance is one of those elusive concepts that everyone seems to be chasing, but as a stay-at-home mom running a business, I’ve come to realize that true balance doesn’t exist. Instead, I strive for harmony, where some days my business takes priority and other days, my family does.
On days when I have tight deadlines or a big project to complete, I may need to spend more hours working, and during those times, I feel guilty for not being as present with my son. On the flip side, there are days when my son needs more attention, whether it’s because he’s not feeling well or simply wants to spend time together. On those days, my business might take a back seat, and I struggle with the feeling that I’m not doing enough for my clients.
The key is accepting that balance isn’t about perfection. It’s about making choices that reflect your priorities in the moment. I’ve learned to let go of the guilt that comes with not being “perfect” in both roles. Some days, I’m a rockstar mom, and other days, I’m killing it in my business. And that’s okay. What matters is that I’m doing my best to nurture both my child and my business.
Client Expectations vs. Toddler Expectations
Running a business means that you’re constantly juggling client expectations—meeting deadlines, delivering high-quality work, and maintaining communication. But when you’re a stay-at-home mom, you’re also managing your toddler’s expectations, which are often far less predictable.
For example, there have been times when I’ve been in the middle of an important client call, and my son suddenly decides that he needs my full attention. I’ve become quite skilled at discreetly muting my microphone while handing him a snack or toy to keep him occupied. There are also moments when my son squeals from the other room while I’m on a Google Meets call, and I have to explain to my client that, yes, I’m working from home with a toddler.
Most clients are understanding, especially since remote work and family life have become more intertwined. Still, it’s important to set clear boundaries and expectations from the start. I let my clients know that my working hours may be unconventional, and I’m upfront about the fact that I’m balancing motherhood alongside my business. This transparency helps build trust and ensures that clients aren’t surprised if I respond to an email late at night or need to reschedule a meeting due to my son’s needs.
The Importance of Setting Boundaries
Boundaries are essential when you’re running a business as a stay-at-home mom. Without them, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and stretched too thin. Setting boundaries doesn’t just apply to your clients—it applies to yourself and your family as well.
One of the first boundaries I established was creating designated work times. While the flexibility of working from home is a perk, it can also blur the lines between work and family time. I found myself constantly checking emails or trying to sneak in work during family moments, which led to burnout. Now, I have specific hours when I focus on my business, and outside of those hours, I’m fully present with my son. This not only helps me stay organized but also ensures that I’m giving my best to both my business and my family.
Another crucial boundary I set was around my availability. I no longer promise immediate responses to clients, especially if it’s during the times I’ve set aside for family. This has been a game-changer in helping me maintain a sense of control over my schedule.
Outsourcing: Why You Don’t Have to Do It All
For many stay-at-home moms running a business, there’s often a feeling that you need to be a supermom—managing every aspect of the household, raising your child, and running your business without any help. But let’s be honest: you can’t do it all, and that’s okay.
One of the smartest moves I made in my business was learning to outsource. I have had several interns, an independent contractor to help with design work and will be looking for a social media manager soon! As a web and brand designer, I thought I had to handle every little detail of my business to maintain control and ensure quality. But as my business grew and my son’s demands increased, I realized that outsourcing some tasks wasn’t just helpful—it was essential.
Outsourcing doesn’t mean you’re giving up control. It means you’re smartly delegating tasks that take up too much of your time or that don’t align with your strengths. For example, I now outsource certain administrative tasks and creating and scheduling social media posts. This frees up my time to focus on the creative aspects of my business, like designing websites and creating branding strategies—things I actually enjoy and that bring in revenue.
This has allowed me to keep up with client work, meet deadlines, and grow my business, all while spending more time with my son.
The Benefits of Outsourcing for Stay-at-Home Mom Entrepreneurs
- More Time for Family: Outsourcing gives you the freedom to spend more time with your children. Instead of working late into the night or sacrificing family time to meet deadlines, you can delegate tasks that don’t require your personal touch.
- Focus on Growth: By outsourcing time-consuming tasks, you can focus on the areas of your business that will help it grow. Whether it’s strategy, creativity, or client relationships
Growth is Slower as a Mompreneur—And That’s Okay
One of the biggest realities I’ve faced as a stay-at-home mom running a business is that growth can be slower than it might be for others without the same responsibilities. When you’re a mompreneur, you’re wearing multiple hats—business owner, mom, homemaker, and more. Time is one of the most valuable, yet limited, resources, and dividing it between raising a toddler and growing a business means progress might not always come as quickly as you’d like.
As a web and brand designer, I’ve had to accept that I can’t always say “yes” to every opportunity, take on every project, or grow at the same pace as someone with more time or fewer family responsibilities. There are days when my son needs me more, and I have to put off business growth tasks like marketing, scaling, or networking. And that’s okay. I wouldn’t have it any other way!
Success doesn’t always mean rapid growth—it means consistent, meaningful progress that works with your lifestyle. For me, success is defined by the quality of the work I deliver to my clients, the satisfaction of helping businesses grow, and the precious moments I get to spend with my child during his growing years. Yes, my business may grow at a slower pace compared to others, but it grows steadily, and that allows me to balance both of my passions—motherhood and entrepreneurship.
Slower growth also comes with a hidden advantage. It forces you to be intentional about your time and efforts. You focus on quality over quantity, perfecting your craft and building deep, meaningful relationships with your clients. As a mompreneur, I’ve learned the importance of patience and resilience, knowing that every step, however small, is moving me closer to my goals.
You Don’t Have to Do It All: Let Me Help You Outsource
As a fellow business owner, I understand how overwhelming it can feel trying to do everything on your own. From managing client relationships to marketing your services, building your brand, and setting up the backend systems that keep everything running smoothly—it’s a lot! But here’s the good news: you don’t have to do it all.
I specialize in helping small business owners like you take control of the parts of their business that feel overwhelming or time-consuming, so you can focus on what you do best. Whether you’re looking to outsource your branding, web design, or get help with managing your operations, I can help.
Here’s how I can help you take some of that weight off your shoulders:
- Branding and Web Design: I can help you create a cohesive and professional brand that reflects your business values, mission, and style. Whether you need a full website redesign or a fresh logo, I specialize in crafting unique, custom designs that elevate your online presence.
- HoneyBook CRM Setup: Need a better way to manage your client interactions, track projects, and stay on top of your workflow? Let me handle the setup of your HoneyBook CRM, streamlining your processes so you can spend less time on admin and more time focusing on what you love.
- Google Business Profile Setup: Are you ready to improve your local SEO and visibility? I can help you create and optimize your Google Business Profile so potential customers can easily find you and your services online.
The first step to scaling your business without sacrificing family time is to start delegating. Reach out today, and let’s chat about how we can lighten your load and get your business running smoothly, so you can spend more time with your family and less time feeling stressed about work.
Let’s work together to take your business to the next level while ensuring you still have time for what matters most—your family. Whether you’re ready for a complete brand refresh or need help setting up your CRM and managing your operations, I’m here to help. Contact me today to learn more about how we can partner to grow your business!
