Tips for Running a Small Business From Home While Being A Parent

According to census.gov, women comprised the majority of U.S. home-based workers in 2021. With small businesses on the rise, many parents are starting companies from home while simultaneously watching their children. Though both roles require much focus, they can flourish despite each other.

We all know that Covid-19 changed the job landscape. Working from home became the new normal, and small businesses ballooned. In fact, by 2025, it is estimated that 32.6 million Americans will be working remotely, which equates to about 22% of the workforce. For small business owners in particular, this new remote work trend saves on operating expenses, eliminates commuting time that can be spent on marketing products, and helps with overall work-life balance.

But…what happens when you try to be a boss with kids grabbing at your ankles all day?

How do you manage your team, keep your customers happy, and ensure that your children are cared for daily?

Read our tips below on how to juggle working from home when your kids are there, too.

Communicate with your team and clients.

Overcommunication is key when you have kids and manage your business from home. Though you may try to oversee all daily tasks and employees, disruptions are bound to happen when you work from home with children.

Due to this, communicate with both your in-house and external teams that you may not always be able to respond to questions or concerns right away.

For example, if the presence of rugrats means that you’ll be working a non-linear workday, check in with everyone who may need to know this.

To avoid surprises, communicate your primary working hours or meeting availability during weekly check-ins with your team. This will help keep everyone informed and give you a chance to delegate tasks to other team members if you’re absent during certain parts of the day.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help…even if you have to hire help!

In your role as an entrepreneur with kids, you may feel as if you must be a “Supermom-Boss Bae” Avenger ala Marvel Universe and handle everything by yourself. But seriously, don’t do this! Running a business full-time and being a full-time mom can lead to burnout in both aspects of your life if you don’t have the proper help to assist you with this constant battle.

Ask your immediate community for help. Enlist the aid of your partner, family, and friends to help with childcare, errand runs, and everything in between. While they’re keeping the baby entertained, you can get a chance to catch up on emails or simply (and most importantly) bask in the silence.

Sometimes, your family and friends’ schedules may not align with yours, and you may need to consider hiring outside help, like a nanny, to assist with the children and ensure they’re cared for while you do CEO duties.

**It is important to note that having a nanny is often a luxury and simply not attainable for some working families or parents. If this is not an option, please refer to the other tips in this article – they will also help!

Did you know? ChildCare.gov is a resource that helps parents find affordable and quality childcare programs in their state.

Develop a routine.

For some business owners, working sporadically is the name of the game. However, when you have children, it is essential to develop (somewhat) a routine to keep everyone sane. A consistent routine can help create balance and stability in the otherwise chaotic worlds of the business owners and “Moms.” A consistent schedule will ensure you aren’t sacrificing one “Boss” role for the other.

Even though you aren’t going into the office, pretending you are can provide a sense of normalcy and routine that kids crave. Mom and kids will start the day as usual: brushing teeth, showering, and putting on real clothes. Plus, by doing this, nobody will catch you slipping if you need to hop on a video call quickly. Your kids will feel like there are distinct phases of their day, too, which will help their minds unwind or focus where needed.

Designate work areas and play areas.

The day can get hectic fast if your workspace is drowning under toys. Create an engaging, though separate environment (if you can) for your children during the day. This dedicated space should be set up with means for your child to play, do activities, and/or work on schoolwork. Be sure to have various interactive toys, books, or activity workbooks to hold kids’ attention. In a separate area of the room or home, set up your workspace in a way that functions the best for you.

Co-working spaces for parents with kids are a helpful resource. These businesses are available worldwide and offer flexible schedules for Moms—many of them even have childcare facilities! This article is a helpful place to start.

Be adaptable with time and be prepared to work during off hours.

Now, I know I said that it’s important to keep a schedule, but with kids, schedules just aren’t always perfect. It is what it is. The workday might not always go how you want it to when kids are involved—and that’s okay.

You may need to schedule an onboarding session with the new freelancer while your kids test their new gadgets. Or, you may need to send out a reminder email when the youngins are having a late lunch. Nap times will be your bestie, too. Whether the nap is at 10am or 3pm, be prepared to adjust your work schedule to take advantage of the quiet time.

Work weekends if you need to. For some business owners with kids, the weekends are an opportunity to catch up on work while their partners are at home to take over caregiving responsibilities. Since you most likely won’t be bothered by your employees and customers on the weekends, take advantage of the free time to plan your weekly or monthly company goals.

Take this downtime to get extra cuddles from the lil’ one, too.

Be kind to yourself, Momma.

Being a full-time, small business owner with the constant demand of juggling childcare, bookkeeping, travel expenses, and doctor appointments is no joke. One thing to remember, though, is that you are human. Amidst the duo worlds, prioritize self-care.

Prioritize taking breaks throughout the week and recharging yourself. Your business and your kids need you at your most fulfilled self. When you give yourself grace, you allow more opportunities to deliver your best work and be your best parent.

Do the work, run the business, and make the profits. But also, take a break, ask for help, and do something that makes you feel good.

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Rachel Estes is a skilled copywriter with a talent for crafting captivating and informative articles and blogs. Her passion for keeping readers informed and inspired shines through her writing, making her an invaluable asset to any project she takes on.