Self Employed Mummies

[redgum]

Hi All -

I have my own shop and was just wondering who out there had their own business and how you juggle work and life with your bub. I opened when I was in my last trimester of pregnancy & it's been tough. I find it hard as I feel like I don't give my shop 100% and I don't give my little girl 100%.

If you have your own business, how many months / years did it take before you covered costs and started to make $$$.

Thanks!

[ladybird11]

Hi Hun

I don't own my own business, but I do work shift work (as does dh) and try to juggle home duties, kids and work.

If I'm not with the kids, dh is - and I like that; the kids time spent with dh is really valuable for the whole family in my eyes. When I am home, I usually switch off from work - unless the phone rings lol; so I'm 100% with them, playing, mucking around etc then.

So 50% mum time + 50% dad time = 100% parental time .

[Jennifer13]

Hi hun, I have been working for myself for about eight years and I found that it took me a couple of years to be secure and then DD came along! I took a while to get back rolling, but for the last few years it's been a good income.

However, I'm a consultant and I have the luxury of being able to pick my hours and fit work around a schedule that works for both DD and I. I work part time and only take on as many clients as I can fit into my life. DP is also self-employed, but his is a 9-5 business and it would have been much harder if he was the primary carer. He has had times where he takes her to his office and he has an area at the back, drawing things for her and so on.

Things that I found invaluable were sharing/swapping care with friends who had children the same age, so I could spend some time focusing on work alone (from when DD was seven months) and once I was rolling along, a nanny who came to our home two days a week and could not only take care of DD but also some of the chores (until DD was old enough to do at least two days of preschool). It was expensive, but worth it to keep me working. I still do swapping of care with friends in the school holidays.

[redgum]

Thanks Jennifer & Ladybird!

I think I need to not stress about these things. I know I / we are doing the best we can right now and I need to not compare myself to non-working mums. DD is loved and cared for and I am trying to build our future through this business. We will get there and I suppose with every new business comes a high stress factor which isn't a great combo for a first time mum. BUT my daughter is thriving and I know she feels loved. It's always nice to know your not alone.

Thank you

[Aussiegirl777]

Hiya Pumpgirl - Just wanted to stop by and wish you all the best. You know my story and I can relate to what you are going through right now. I'm sure that being the perfectionist that you are you are putting Waaaayy to much pressure on yourself. It takes a few years to get your business up and running and getting good returns. You really jumped in with both feet in starting your business and starting your family at the same time. You are strong and smart and one thing I've noticed is that once you let yourself relax from your own self-pressure you always jump ahead in the game again. You are right, your DD is very much loved and you do a fantastic job and you must be so proud of yourself and the things you have accomplished in such a short period of time. Hang in there - being self employed is very satisfying and extremely rewarding.

[redgum]

Aussie - you always know the right thing to say. Thank you xxx

Are you back at work?

[Aussiegirl777]

I just worked my 3rd shift back today. 4.5hours. I enjoyed it. Will do most Sundays from now on but I'm not planning to go back to anything more for a while yet.