The Mom Entrepreneur's Guide to Getting Away from It All
As a mom entrepreneur, you are the “Chief Everything Officer” of your home, your family and your business.You keep the fridge stocked, the bills paid, the homework completed and your clients happy. The thought of taking a vacation or attending a conference can be daunting.Who will attend to your family’s needs and wants? Can they possibly survive without you? Will they resent you for leaving?The fact that you're asking these questions is a clear indicator of just how badly you need a break from your multiple roles and responsibilities. So, whether you take a vacation with some friends or attend an inspiring conference with some colleagues, getting away from your family now and then is a great way to recharge your batteries.Here are some tips for helping your family love it when you leave.
Make a plan
Grab a blank sheet of paper and do a brain dump of all the things you know need to happen a few days before your leave and while you’re gone. Get it down on paper and out of your head so you can handle it.Have a family meeting and share this plan with everyone before you go. Planning it all out will relieve stress and insure you don’t forget the important stuff (like telling your husband to pick the kids up from camp).
Make a list (or three)
I recommend you make three distinct lists:
- How to manage your family
- How to manage your home
- How to manage your business
Think through each of the three categories above. For each, list all the to-do’s you need to handle before you go. Breaking them into categories will help you remember and organize your priorities.
Get some help
Enlist your family, friends, babysitters or virtual assistant to do some of the work you normally do.Your spouse and kids can help with some of the household responsibilities. Neighbors and friends can help with chauffeuring kids to activities and your virtual assistant can handle email, social media and customer service for you.Having your plan and your lists will help make it clear what you need to delegate to whom to be sure your family and your business are just fine while you’re away.
Stock up
Leave the fridge and pantry stocked with “man and kid food” like lasagna, burgers, grilled chicken and mac & cheese, along with simple fruits, salads and veggies that require little or no prep.Then, leave a note taped to the fridge that tells your hubby or caretaker what’s in there and a few meal ideas. Make it easy to handle the witching hour when everyone is tired, hungry and often grumpy.
Leave a treat and bring a treat
I made a batch of brownies right before I left for Mom Biz Retreat, because food is my love language. It makes me feel good to know I did something special for my family and helps me ditch the mommy guilt.And when I’m on my way back home, I make sure I bring some token from my travels for my husband and kids. I want them to know that when I leave, I think of them and love them. Now, you may be reading this list and thinking, “When my husband travels, he doesn’t do a single one of these things for me! Why should I have to do this for him when I leave?”The truth is, you don’t have to do any of this. You can just take off, leave the family to fend for themselves and be on your merry way. I’m providing these tips to tell you how to make it easy to get away - so easy that you’ll actually do it more often and so easy that your family will even encourage you to go.When I left for Denver last week, my husband hugged me and told me to have a great time. He didn't give me a guilt trip about everything he'd have to do while I was gone.And when I got back home, he gave me the greatest acknowledgment ever when he said simply, “Thank you for coming back.” I know I’m needed but I don’t have to feel guilty about taking "me time" when I need it. And that’s awesome, since I’ll be traveling to Toronto to host the next Mom Biz Retreat at the end of September.How do you prepare for being away from your family?{Top photo credit}