Being a Work At Home Mum is HARD!

I am blessed to be a part of some wonderful group and forums that consist of WAHM’s, and it has become very apparent that we are all searching for one thing… Balance!

The last few months has seen my business grow in a way I couldn’t have imagined, and while on the outside it may look as though I have my shit sorted, I can assure you I don’t! I have burnt myself out twice already this year, with the result of getting sick and also seeing my anxiety return at times. It is so freakin’ hard trying to get that balance right, and I have come to the conclusion that there is no perfect balance (or if you have figured it out, please let me know!)

Trying to juggle being a sole trader, Mum, Wife, Friend, Sister and Daughter is unbelievably hard, and if I’m honest, I feel like I’m failing miserably in at least one of these 100% of the time. Currently, I feel like I have the Mum thing sorted, I *almost* have the business thing sorted, I am OK Wife, but I am a neglectful friend, sister & daughter. Next week I will get my social life back on track, spend some time with my Mum & siblings, and I will most likely feel like I’m drowning in work and my business is failing!

And then there are the times the kids get sick, or I get sick… Let’s not even go there!

It never ends.

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For me, I have decided that I won’t work when the girls are home. That is my No. 1 rule, but like all rules… Sometimes they are broken. If I have a deadline, or the girls have been sick and I have to get something done, there is no choice but to set Missy up with the iPad in my office and work while Audrey sleeps. I hate doing it, and I have massive #mumguilt when I do… But that’s the life of a WAHM. The one thing I can say is to figure out the thing that you won’t compromise on, and then the rest can fall into place.

I am truly blessed to be surrounded by some other amazing & supportive friends who own their own businesses, and most have kids too which means when I have a shit day/week/month, I have a network of Women in my life who actually get it. Sometimes they’ll have advice, something new I can try. Other times all they can lend is an ear to listen, and maybe that’s all I need. I am so grateful to have these networks/support groups/counsellors/friends in my life, I can honestly say my business wouldn’t be what it is without them.

Some of my ‘Go To’ ladies consist of Georgia from Talking Red, Morgan from Morgi Mac, Issy from Seriously Milestones, Emma from Happy Hands Happy Heart, Hayley from The Deluxe Hamper Company just to name a few! I would talk to all of these ladies at least once a week about life and/or business.

I am also part of some really great, supportive groups on Facebook called ‘Mums With Hustle‘ and ‘The Digital Picnic‘ ~ Who always have an answer or suggestion to any questions or situations I might have and the other members are mostly Mum’s just like me and have really great, and relevant suggestions and feedback.

Here I am sounding like I hate the world, and my job… But that’s the thing, I love it! So so much. I love every second I get to spend on my business; I love the photographing, I love the editing, I love the admin, I love the interaction on social media, I love the networking and most of all I love delivering your images. I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t love it… Because quite frankly, you would have to be M-A-D to run your own business and not be totally in love with what you do! Yes, it’s tough… SO tough. But if I wanted easy, I would go and get myself a full time job elsewhere.

Every image you see of mine… there is quite literally bloody, sweat and tears that have gone into it. I question and doubt myself on a daily basis… But my conclusion at the end of each day is that I love what I do so much that I *have* to make it work. For me, for my family and for my girls.

No matter how much #mumguilt I feel, I know deep down that I am actually teaching my Daughters how to be strong, determined and successful and most of all confident in life. The relationships I develop with my clients and network teach them that it pays to be kind, always. And I am teaching them the value of money, by working my a$$ off to contribute to our household and to be able to stay home with them.

I will continue to work my butt off, and each year my juggle will become easier (hopefully!) as the girls get older and head off to kinder and school. But for now, I resign to the fact that there is no ‘perfect’ balance, and I will just try my best to be a good Mum, good Wife, good friend/daughter/sister, and most of all just a good person.

I know some of you will have clicked on this in hope of finding out my magic recipe to juggling it all, and I’m sorry I don’t have the answer for you!

All I can say is keep trucking along… Each day is a new one, make your vision so clear that your fears become irrelevant and remember that you CAN make your passion your pay cheque.  It is easy to get wrapped up in business whether you are failing or thriving… Remember *why* you are doing it, and keep it as simple as possible!

Don’t give up, because tomorrow could be the day that everything changes!

Big Love, LLP
~ xoxo ~