My tip: let your kids bear witness to it! Ironically, the only way that I am able to juggle my kid's schedules was by becoming CEO and founding my own agency. You could say, 'CEO by default' because not too many companies seemed to understand that school drop off, pickup, and after school trips to the park are some of the most important things in the eyes of your kids -- and therefore big moments in employee lives, too. On the days where work is imminently due, I let my kids do work alongside me, because they are interested in it. If I am creating vision boards or mood boards, I give them the materials to do it, too. If I am rendering rooms or elevations, I give them rulers and colored pencils and let them do it, too. At the core of it, I think our kids just want to be close to us and do what we are doing. I work in public relations and branding for design companies, and my kids like to see that work is creative and can be a bit fun. I will say, lesson learned, even my oldest can *not* tag along on video shoots with clients. My decision to go towards CEO & Founder also came after a corporate layoff, where I was reminded that your job keeps you around as long as they deem you useful. Your kids are a bit more loyal than that. So, here I am, a perpetually-hesitant entrepreneur, now leading two important ventures - raising girls and growing a business in an industry I love.
Mom duties never take a vacation. Even when my kids are in school, I'm juggling orthodontist appointments, field trips, and special activities that take place during work hours. That's why I traded the typical 9-to-5 in favor of a non-linear workday. Working a non-traditional schedule allows me to step into my mom role when needed and work around my kids' schedules. Instead of having a strict set of office hours, I'll bring my laptop to the car rider line at school, the baseball field during practice, or the dance studio parking lot. I can work when the kids go to bed or before they wake up in the morning. This lets me be available when they need me but also allows me to enjoy a career I love.
Self-care is my secret weapon for maintaining balance as both a single mom and CEO. Initially, pausing for self-care seemed like a luxury I couldn’t afford in my packed schedule. Although it may seem somewhat paradoxical to carve out "me time" during a hectic day, I've found that prioritizing my health and well-being makes me more effective in both roles. Whether it’s a quick workout in the morning or reading a book before bed, these small moments of self-care recharge me for the challenges of leading a company and parenting.
As a startup founder and startup mom to a toddler, this "balance" is an ongoing thing to figure out. What has helped me most is 1) seeking help - we moved in with our in-laws so that we can have the support and help to run businesses while becoming new parents and 2) doing what I can with the time and resources I have available to show up as a mom and be a business owner.
Balancing the roles of CEO and mom required me to constantly reassess my priorities, which could shift from moment to moment. If my son had a school event or sports activity, I made it a point to be there. This sometimes meant burning the midnight oil to fulfill work responsibilities, but being fully present for my son was important to me. It was a delicate dance, managing clients' demands and my child's needs daily. However, my clients and colleagues understood the importance of my family life. There were times when tough decisions had to be made, like the year when I had a crucial client meeting scheduled early on my son's birthday. I had to explain that while he was my top priority, there were moments when business commitments couldn't be shifted. However, I assured him we would celebrate his special day in the evening. Although the guilt of missing out on traditional birthday festivities weighed heavily on me, I believe my son understood and respected the responsibilities I had as a business leader. It was a lesson in prioritization and time management for both of us, emphasizing the importance of honoring commitments and cherishing family moments.
Balancing Between Mom and CEO: A Personal Journey As the founder of a Leadership Consultation practice, a nonprofit dedicated to women's economic empowerment, and a partner in the restaurant business, my life is a dynamic tapestry of responsibilities. But above all, I am a single mom raising two boys and life is beautiful. My days are filled with meetings, travel, and navigating diverse client expectations that span various industries. Despite this demanding schedule, I make it a priority to maintain a meaningful connection with my sons. We enjoy watching our favorite TV shows together, exploring new recipes in the kitchen, and embarking on day trips whenever we can. I believe in transparency with my children about my work. Sharing my daily experiences with them not only strengthens our bond but also fosters mutual learning and understanding. It's a reminder that being present doesn't always mean being physically available every moment; it's about making the moments count. As a mom, I've learned that it's okay not to be present at every soccer game or school pickup. Each of us has our unique path to navigate. What matters most is the quality of time we spend together. Quality over quantity has been the cornerstone of my parenting philosophy, allowing me to excel in both my roles as a mom and a CEO. Remember, moms, you are not measured by the number of hours you spend at home but by the love and wisdom you impart during the moments you share. Quality time is indeed the key to nurturing strong bonds and building resilient relationships with our children.
I ruthlessly prioritize my time to the work that’s in my "highest and best use", and I down source and outsource the rest. I rely on a fractional team of consultants, technology, and my team to manage multiple workstreams (both work and personal), while I focus on the big picture. And I hold on to the moments that matter the most to my family, like school field trips, and to my team, like setting the vision and tone for the quarter ahead. I also have stopped worrying about “achieving work life balance” because it’s impossible and I’m just tired constantly and that’s okay by me – I’m grateful for all of it!
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Strategist at Lekeshia Angelique Consulting
Answered 2 years ago
Balancing the roles of a mom and a CEO is a daily exercise in prioritization and intentionality. As a mother of 5 and grandmother of 2 ranging in age from 26 years old to 2 months old, their needs from me can be quite different. One of my best strategies is to establish and maintain boundaries firmly. Here's how I put this into practice: Structured Scheduling: I keep a rigorous calendar that accounts not only for business meetings and deadlines but also for family time, children's activities, and personal downtime. This helps me ensure that I'm present where I'm most needed and don't overlook the small, precious moments with family. Delegation: At work and at home, I recognize that I don't have to do everything myself. Delegating responsibilities empowers my team and family members, fostering a sense of trust and collaboration. This also allows me to focus on high-impact activities that only I can handle. Communication: I maintain open communication lines with my family and work team. This means being transparent about my commitments and constraints, which helps manage expectations and support from both sides. Self-care: This is non-negotiable. Maintaining my physical and mental health through regular exercise, proper nutrition, and sufficient rest makes me more effective in every role. It's not just about being a better CEO or mom; it's about being the best version of myself. The key to balancing these roles effectively is recognizing that it's not about achieving a perfect equilibrium every day but about making thoughtful adjustments based on current needs and priorities.
Something I love about the magic of Oula is that we understand the challenges of balancing running a business with being a mom. I am grateful to have breastfed my son through dozens of meetings. My tip is to always have a contingency plan, whether for mom'ing or working. When the work-life balance bleeds together or creates obstacles one way or the other, have backup options for getting what you need to get done. You can't just drop being a parent--or being a business professional. The only way to balance both well is to create backup options to help one balance out the other when they need to, whether that means having a friend in mind for last-minute babysitting or having to make that in-person meeting digital.