Let’s be real—balancing a business and parenting is hard. It’s messy, unpredictable, and some days it feels like you’re dropping the ball on both sides. As a solo parent and entrepreneur, I’ve faced this struggle head-on. If you’ve ever felt that tug-of-war between work and family, you’re not alone. And guess what? That elusive “balance” everyone talks about—it’s a myth.
The Tough Decisions No One Talks About
One of the hardest moments I faced was when my business was nominated for a big award. Attending the ceremony meant incredible networking opportunities and the potential to take my business to the next level. But it also meant missing my son’s soccer game, arranging childcare, and disrupting our routine.
In the end, I chose soccer. Why? Because there are always more awards, but there won’t always be more time to watch my son grow. And guess what? I still won the award—even without attending. But the real win was knowing I made the choice that was right for my family.
Moral of the story? Balance isn’t about choosing the “right” thing—it’s about choosing what’s right for you in that moment.
Why Balance is a Myth
We’ve all been told to “find balance,” but let’s rethink that. Balance suggests that everything should be equal and perfectly managed—but life, especially as a parent and entrepreneur, doesn’t work that way.
Instead, think of life as a series of intentional choices:
- Some days, you’ll be a rockstar in business.
- Other days, your family needs to come first.
- And sometimes, it’s about just making it through the day with everyone fed and safe.
How I Built a Business That Fits My Life
I’ve designed my event business to work around my life—not the other way around. One of the most impactful changes I made was incorporating drop-off photo booths and audio guestbooks into my services.
These services allow me to:
✅ Skip the babysitter—my son comes along and helps with setup (and he loves it!)
✅ Create a passive income stream without sacrificing family time
✅ Build a business that adapts to my lifestyle, not the other way around
Practical Tips for Parent Entrepreneurs
- Outsource What You Can: Whether it’s using meal delivery services like Factor or hiring a virtual assistant, free up your time for what truly matters.
- Leverage Technology: Tools like HoneyBook allow me to manage contracts, invoices, and client communications right from my phone—even in the middle of a theme park!
- Create Intentional Moments: Small traditions, like “Mommy Milo Day” or Sunday pancake mornings, can make a huge impact.
Letting Go of Guilt
It’s easy to feel like you’re failing at everything when you’re trying to do it all. But remember, every choice you make is a step toward building a life that works for you. So if you need to skip a networking event for a soccer game or close your laptop early for movie night, that’s okay.
You’re showing your kids the value of hard work, resilience, and prioritizing what truly matters—and that’s the best lesson you can give them.
Ready to Build a Business That Fits Your Life?
If you’re curious about how to start a stress-free, parent-friendly event business, consider adding drop-off photo booths or audio guestbooks to your services. Check out my Drop-Off Photo Booth Contract or explore how to add audio guestbooks to your offerings.
Parenting and entrepreneurship are tough—but you’re tougher. And you’re doing better than you think.
What’s your biggest struggle in balancing parenting and business? Share your story in the comments—I’d love to hear from you!
If this resonated with you, make sure to subscribe to my newsletter for more tips on building a business that fits your life. Until next time, keep creating those unforgettable memories!