So many new mothers are concerned with findinga balance between caring for a family and sustaining a career. From my experience, moms with their own businesses tend to feel especially guilty about taking time away from the kids. In turn, I’m often asked if there’s a way for a mompreneur to be viewed as a positive role model. This is why I want to share with you 10 Things Your Kids Learn Through Your Entrepreneurship.
All it takes is a shift in perspective to see how a hard-working, self-employed mom is actually a gift to her family. While it’s true that maintaining a career requires time (and attention, and money) away from the family unit, I’d argue that the pros far outweigh the cons.
10 Things Your Kids Learn Through Your Entrepreneurship
Passion pays off:
It’s a tremendous accomplishment to build your own business based on something you believe in. When your kids see you championing your cause day after day, it teaches them that their dreams are worth striving for, especially when they bring in financial rewards.
How to problem solve:
In certain situations, it’s impossible to have all of the answers. If appropriate, share simple work conundrums with your family. As you break down the facts and examine options, your kids will get a first-hand lesson on problem solving.
The beauty of mistakes:
Of course, in any business it’s impossible to avoid making mistakes. Let go of your ego and share your missteps with your kids. Knowing that you mess up may make them look at failure in a new light. For example, if they know you’ve successfully powered through some sticky situations, they may feel more inclined to do the same.
Patience is key:
Thanks to the onslaught of technology, we live in a world of immediate gratification. While this can be helpful, especially in professional settings, it’s spoiled us to expect results ASAP. When you show restraint in stressful work situations, your reminding your kids that in this modern world, sometimes we need to calm down and allow things unfold at a much slower pace.
Goals are good:
Teaching kids to stay motivated is crucial, whether it’s in work or play. Tell your family about your company goals and ask them to name some goals of their own (big or small). Check in regularly to make sure they are aimed in the right direction and, if they’re misguided, discuss how to get back on track. Be sure to take time out to celebrate each other’s achievements!
Multi-tasking is a skill:
Moms are probably the most skilled multi-taskers in the world. When your kids see how you manage to hold down the fort on both the family and work front, they’ll get a sense of just how many obstacles you overcome on a daily basis. In turn, they’ll learn that diverse interests and multiple skill sets are an asset.
The power of community:
It’s impossible for a business to thrive entirely on its own. Creating a company requires input from others. Whether it’s from a wide international network or a handful of peers, you need conversation and collaboration in order to build a well-rounded business. This is a great lesson for kids who don’t like to ask for assistance. Your work habits will show them that reaching out for help is not a sign of weakness, but rather a smart move towards success.
Money matters:
A child’s responsible relationship with money begins when she realizes that dollars don’t grow on trees. One way to demystify money is to share how it influences your business, perhaps beginning with how a company needs to spend money in order to make money. Over time, you can explain how the household finances are handled and the contribution your business makes to the family unit.
Don’t be afraid to commit:
In general, kids aren’t known for their patience and perseverance. They tend to get easily frustrated and throw in the towel too soon. You can show them how it’s possible to struggle (and struggle) with a work issue and keep soldiering on. Let them see you get frustrated at work and let them witness how you deal with your shortcomings and feelings of annoyance. Eventually, they’ll learn that it’s normal to get discouraged and it’s possible to sort out the setbacks and move on.
You can be a mom and a boss
It’s appropriate for kids to assume that they are a parent’s number one priority. But what they shouldn’t assume is that a parent’s entire existence revolves around family affairs. As a mompreneur, you’re demonstrating how to find fulfillment in work and satisfaction in something other than a maternal role. What’s more, you’re presenting your kids with an alternative employment option that they might not have known about otherwise.
Teachable moments
Mothers who run a business often feel torn between the responsibilities at home and the tasks at the office. Understandably, it can be overwhelming and confusing to know how to focus day in and day out.
But what if there was less of a disconnect between your mom persona and your mompreneurself? What if you started to share pertinent bits of your business with your kids?
As an entrepreneur, you have countless teachable moments to bring home to your family. My guess is that once you pepper your everyday activities with these “lessons,” you’ll begin to close the gap between being a mom and a boss. It won’t be long before the guilty feelings will subside and you’ll fully embrace both roles.
Meet The Author:
Samara Kamenecka is a VA specializing in SEO and content creation. When she’s not hanging out with her boyfriend, their two kids and their dog, she teaches moms how to develop a lucrative side hustle at Extra Dough Pro.
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