question for mothers who started new businesses

[nox]

This is a question for those who have managed to start businesses...
I am wondering HOW???!!!!
I have a 6 mth old son who isn't sleeping as well as I'd like and a couple of business ideas. I am quite serious about starting up but would love advice from those before me!
How did you guys do it?
Any advice would be great!
Thanks

[Tobily]

A very, VERY supportive partner!

I started training as a doula when my son was a few months old. He wasn't (and still isn't) the greatest of sleepers - to put it mildly.

My hubby is wonderful. He just takes over with the kids whenever I need to work, and there's no way I could be doing this without him. Doula work involves alot of time doing preparation, talking on the phone and writing lengthy emails...and if the phone rings in the middle of the night and I need to leave for a birth he rearranges his whole day so he can work from home and be here with the kids.

My other godsend has been kindy - DD started kindy 3 days a week this year so on those days I only have my son at home and I can usually manage to fit some work in when he's asleep (he sleeps great during the day, it's night time that he's horrid).

But yeah, you have to be organised but I think the biggest thing is a good support system.

Good luck! If you're motivated you'll find a way to make it work

[nox]

It does seem like an organisational nightmare at the moment. It sometimes feels like I should wait until he is in childcare before I try to start anything -- it's so frustrating otherwise. I have very little time in the day to do anything and I try my hardest at night but it is tiring ...
My husband is supportive but as he also has his own business it's not like there is ever any 'down time'!
Hmmmm I will re-look at how I am spending my days and nights and see if it is do-able.

[Astrid]

I found that I was not able to do much business wise until DD was in childcare 1 day per week. DH was working horrendous hours and was exhausted when he finally did get home, so was not able to support me, I needed to support him. Different story now, DH has reasonable work hours and has offered with this next bub to help more with looking after them. He has even offered to help if I end up doing something online (posting packages etc).

So definitely see what support network you have to help out. Maybe even consider a cleaner, if you can justify the cost and will be earning enough from the business.

[nox]

astrid-- do you mind if I ask how old was dd when you put her in care? I'm just not ready to put ds in yet and this is part of what I think may be making it hard. One of the businesses will be online only so in my mind it seems possible once I find a way to get started... but I could be fooling myself!

[Astrid]

I managed to find a place when she was 1, which was just about right for her. I had tried occasional care previously without much success. For my business I did need her looked after as I had some clients I had to see on site, rather than work from home. Saying that though I also did find work from home difficult with her, mainly as I had to do the work between certain hours. This time around with a second bub I am hoping to find more flexible clients that give me work, but a week or so to do it in. Also have an online business concept in the works, has been in the works for years though, but that what happens when you are working with an artisic type.