When you are a single parent, you want to do everything that you can to ensure that your children have the best lives possible.
And, if you have worked for yourself in the past or have always been keen to do so, it can be very tempting to delve back into the world of running a business when your children hit a certain age.
But running a business and raising children alone is in no way an easy prospect. Before jumping into this, you will need to have a plan in place to make sure that neither your children nor your business suffer. So, here are some tips to follow.
Prioritize Time Management
You are a single parent, so this is probably already very high on your skills list! But when it comes to running any business alongside having a happy home life, you need to get this right. As a single parent, it’s essential to balance work and family responsibilities. This will be hard at first, so aim to create a schedule that allows you to focus on work during specific hours and make time for your children during others.
If you and your former partner are both working, you will need to organize your time with the children around each other. For more help with time management and kids, head to Two Healthy Homes for more advice.
Build a Support System
Whether it’s family, friends, or a professional network, it’s essential to have a group of people who can provide help and support when needed. In some cases, if you are very pressed for time, it can be worth looking at online support groups that help single parents out.
You must be aware of how imperative it is to have a support system in place for yourself, or you may find it very hard to cope.
Outsource or Delegate Tasks
Ah, outsourcing! The key to a better balance if you are overrun with work. As a single parent, it can be challenging to manage all aspects of a business alone. Consider outsourcing or delegating tasks to others to free up time and energy, even if this is a task as small as paying for a dog walker to walk the family pet. Or, if you have an older child or children, ask them to help look after younger kids. Just make sure you pay them first and don’t become overly reliant on them. That way, everyone is happy!
Be Flexible
Being a single parent often means dealing with unexpected changes in your schedule or plans, whether it is due to a kid getting sick or a client changing a meeting. You will need to be prepared to adapt and adjust as necessary to accommodate these changes.
Take Care of Yourself
Most people who run a business alone will tell you how stressful it can be. And most single parents will state how little spare time they have. So, by doing both, you need to look after yourself! Running a business as a single parent can be stressful and demanding, and for you to succeed in both areas, it’s essential to take care of yourself by getting enough rest, exercising, and eating well to maintain your physical and mental health.