Balancing Babies and Business: Happy Mother’s Day

The soft skills you foster as a parent do well to prepare you for entrepreneurship; rigid time management, functioning on little sleep, and the ability to quell an unjustified temper tantrum.

This Mother’s Day we celebrate the people holding it down as both parents and entrepreneurs, and building a legacy for their family.

We round up some of the best advice on marrying parenthood with startup life that the internet has to offer.

On moms taking the leap

You have to believe in yourself, and if you’re going to do it, you’ve got to go all in. You have to take yourself seriously or no one else will. If you just try and dip your toe in to see if it’s going to work, you’re not giving it your all–you’re kind of half in and half out. You’ve got to go all in to set yourself up for success.

AMY PASTRE, FOUNDER OF SDCO PARTNERS FOR FORBES

On being persistent and present

I’m convinced that the answer to both startups and parenthood is in deciding to show up each day and give it your best shot. I’m sure there are smarter or better-prepared people out there. But, my willingness to show up each day means that I’ll be there when others have gotten tired or called it quits. Even though I might not put in the longest hours as either a parent or a founder, I take solace in the fact the hours I do devote are my best.

AVNI PATEL THOMPSON, FOUNDER OF POPPY FOR ENTREPRENEUR

On the illusion of “having it all”

There’s really no such thing as balance, it’s really just a mirage…some days are weighted more heavily in the parenting department, and some in the business owner department. You never get it right, and it’s always a juggle. But it’s the juggle that makes it all worthwhile. It’s what drives me, really, and makes me a better business owner and a parent.

Know and appreciate that your days will be very full — full of working hard to grow your business, working hard to grow your family — and that the point is to enjoy it all and find happiness in the craziness. Once you can do that, there’s no need for balance. Your kids will thank you for being a working parent because it will bring out the best in you. Promise.

JILL SALZMAN, FOUNDER OF THE FOUNDING MOMS, FOR TEDXNAPERVILLE

On involving your children in your business

I’ve found that being transparent with our kids about the challenges we face and involving them in finding solutions has been incredibly helpful. Both the kids and the company keep growing, that means that I need to adapt and adjust with both of them. While it’s always challenging, it’s definitely doable and fun.

We have dinner at least three to four times a week as a family and oftentimes, some of the biggest questions they ask are, ‘How was your day at work? How is the business? What did you guys do?’ They’re very interested to know how the business is doing. To me, that’s very important because I want to raise entrepreneurial kids.

ADI TATARKO, FOUNDER OF HOUZZ, FOR FUNDERA

On giving yourself a break

The most important piece of advice is not to be too hard on yourself, despite the huge challenges that starting a business and having a baby at the same time can bring. Sometimes it is a battle being a mum [Gemma is British]. You always feel guilty. But you need to just realize that guilt is a waste of energy. Everything you are doing and striving to achieve, you are doing for the benefit of your children. So as long as you get the balance right and are happy with the priorities you have set, keep going. The children will be happy if you are happy.

GEMMA POND, FOUNDER OF NUVA, FOR GUARDIAN

You need to realize that guilt is a waste of energy. Everything you are doing and striving to achieve, you are doing for the benefit of your children.