Balancing Summer Freedom: A Guide for Entrepreneur Moms

Written by: Claudia Haller NBC-HWC

Most moms of young children would agree: there is no bigger blessing than being the most important person in the world to our precious little ones. We wouldn’t trade that role for anything… but there is no denying that “mom life” is hectic, messy, and chaotic. ​

We rush from one commitment to another, covered in finger paint and yogurt, tripping on Lego blocks and Matchbox cars, trying our hardest to keep up. In the background plays a soundtrack of crying, laughter, and silly children’s songs, not to mention the voices of battery-operated toys that seem to have minds of their own. We are caught up in a whirlwind that no one on the outside could even begin to understand. Motherhood is a wild ride that leaves us feeling simultaneously fulfilled and inadequate, exhausted and blissfully happy. We are overwhelmed…with both the pace of life and with the immense love we feel.

As the school year ends and summer begins, the amped-up schedules and beautiful weather only compound our feelings of guilt. For parents of school-aged kids, the month of June comes with end-of-year festivities and performances, field trips, and spirit days. It seems like every day there is something to remember. The mental load is heavy. Then, along come summer sports and activities, family vacations, requests for play dates, and the pressure to provide fun experiences all summer long.

For me, personally, those busy days of parenting small children have passed. We moms go through seasons of life; we expect some moments to feel easier or more difficult than others, but the reality is that they simply present different kinds of challenges – and no matter how far removed we find ourselves from each stage, we still see those tiny features within our growing children’s faces, and we remember our feelings like they were yesterday. While my youngest will start college in the fall, I very much remember the stress and guilt I experienced during the summer as I wanted to be the perfect mom of three, while also running my businesses. I often compared myself to my own mom, who seemed to handle everything so well. I would think about the time she spent with us, bringing us regularly to the swim club and even taking us on a two-week-long vacation each year. Then, I would remind myself that our summer breaks in Switzerland were five weeks long, not at all like school vacations in the United States. It would be unreasonable to expect working moms to detach for months at a time. Besides, back then, we often entertained ourselves, taking off on our bicycles at younger ages than we might allow today with our own kids. It’s important to note that all motherhood experiences are different, and we cannot hold ourselves to the exact same standards, especially when we take into consideration different times and ways of life.

Both working moms and stay-at-home moms struggle to feel like they are doing enough. Moms who are entrepreneurs, in particular, face a unique set of challenges, especially during the busy summer months.

The freedom to work whenever and wherever can quickly turn into a juggling act of trying to balance work, self-care, and quality time with the kids. The guilt of sending children to summer camps or feeling torn between work and family can make summer the most stressful time of the year. But it doesn't have to be this way. With a little planning and the right mindset, summer can be a season of joy, productivity, and cherished memories.

Understanding the Struggle
Firstly, it's essential to acknowledge the emotional tug-of-war that many entrepreneurial moms experience. The expectation to be the perfect mother while also running a successful business can feel overwhelming. It's okay to feel this way, and you're not alone. The key is to shift the perspective from feeling guilty to feeling empowered by the flexibility that entrepreneurship offers. Here are five tips to help you find that balance and make this summer enjoyable for everyone.
 
1. Create a Flexible Schedule
Finding a work/life balance is certainly not easy, as evidenced by declines in female employment during the summer months. Studies show that between May and July, the employment-to-population ratio drops among women, while male employment rises. In addition, total hours worked by women fall by 11 percent, which is about twice the summer decline among men.

Fortunately, one of the greatest benefits of being an entrepreneur is having control over your schedule. Instead of sticking to a rigid 9-5 routine, work non-traditional hours that make sense for you and your family. Plan your work around your family’s summer activities. Perhaps you can work early in the morning before the kids wake up or in the evenings after they go to bed.

Block out specific times for work and family activities, and communicate this schedule with your children so they understand when Mom needs to focus. This is especially important because a clear schedule creates structure in the absence of outside accountability. It can be difficult to manage your own time without someone else telling you that you have to work (or that it’s time to stop). Time management is a crucial skill for anyone working at home, particularly someone running their own business…and it is one that does not come easily. However, when setting aside that focused time, remember to apply it to family life too, not just work. Guard your personal days, and hang on tight to that flexibility – after all, that’s what it’s all about. 

2. Involve the Kids in Your Work
Oftentimes, as a work-at-home mom, we feel pressure to close our laptops any time our children are within sight. We don’t want them to feel the repercussions of divided attention. Of course, it is important to put away our work at times and devote ourselves entirely to our kids. Plus, it can certainly be more productive to get work done while they are asleep or busy. That being said, it can actually be a good thing for them to see us hard at work. It sets a positive example, demonstrating qualities like responsibility, drive, and work ethic. There is also value in providing them a different perspective on Mom – seeing her at work allows them to start viewing her as more than just their mom, but also as a complex human being with talents and goals.

Depending on their age, involve your children in your business. This can be a fun and educational experience for them and can help them understand why Mom needs to work. Simple tasks like organizing supplies, helping with social media ideas, or even accompanying you to meetings can be an excellent way to bond and teach them about entrepreneurship. All of my children have very actively played a role in my businesses over time and one of them is still doing work for me on a consistent basis. I love the conversations we have about health and wellness topics and I value her fresh mindset and knowledge of technology. It is a win-win situation. 

3. Prioritize Self-Care
Self-care is not a luxury; it’s a necessity. Taking care of yourself ensures you have the energy and patience to be present for your family and your business. You can not give what you do not have. If you don’t take care of yourself first, it is impossible to give your best to your clients or loved ones. I think about my self-care as an act of filling up my cup, so that I can pour out into others throughout my day. As such, I find that self-care is most effective when I do it in the morning. However, if you’re not a morning person, you may find that it’s most beneficial to do self-care as a wind-down from the day later in the evening.

Regardless of where it falls in your day, it is imperative that you schedule regular self-care activities. Whether it's a workout, a quiet cup of coffee in the morning, or a hobby you enjoy, it can have a great impact on your ability to serve as an entrepreneur and a mom. Remember, taking time for yourself sets a positive example for your children about the importance of self-care. It teaches them that they are also worthy of set-aside self-care.

 4. Leverage Camps and Activities
Summer camps and activities are not something to feel guilty about. They provide children with valuable experiences, social interaction, and fun. In fact, statistics from the American Camp Association indicate that camps have a positive impact on child development, supporting growth in self-confidence, independence, social skills, and more. In a survey of over 5,000 families at 92 randomly selected camps around the country, the answers of campers and their parents overwhelmingly demonstrated the positive effects of camp life.

​Notably, 96% of campers said that camp helped them to make new friends, and 93% said that camp helped them to get to know kids who are different from them. 92% said that the people at camp helped them to feel better about themselves, which parents echoed, with 70% saying camp increased their children’s self-confidence. Campers and parents also agreed that camp encouraged them to try new things, even those that they were afraid to try at first and that they continued to participate in those new activities afterwards.
Look for camps that align with your child's interests, and plan your work around these times. This way, you can focus on your business while knowing your children are having a great time and learning new skills.

5. Plan Family Activities
Summer is a time for creating lasting memories. Plan activities that everyone can look forward to. It doesn’t have to be elaborate; even simple activities like a picnic in the park, a beach day, or a movie night can be special. Having these planned activities can help reduce the guilt and make sure you’re making the most of the summer with your family. I would not be surprised if my children’s favorite summer memories were the weeks we spent camping in the Adirondacks. I should ask them…

Embrace the Freedom
The freedom of entrepreneurship is not about whether to work or not, but about when and how to get the work done. By embracing this flexibility and planning strategically, you can make summer a time of joy and fulfillment for both you and your children. Remember, it's not about being perfect; it's about finding a balance that works for you and your family. Here's to a summer filled with fun, productivity, and beautiful memories!

Claudia is an NBC-HWC Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach, the owner of Vibrant Health by Claudia LLC  and Virtual Health Coaches LLC. She studied Health and Wellness Coaching at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition where she also completed courses in Gut Health, Hormone Health, and Advanced Coaching. She is a Havening TechniquesⓇ Certified Practitioner and certified 21-Day Sugar Detox Coach as well as a co-author of two Amazon Bestsellers “The Ultimate Guide to Creating Your Soul Aligned Business” and “The Ultimate Guide to Becoming a Successful Soul Professional”.

To schedule a time for a free information call click here or join her Vibrant Health Power Community - a free Facebook Group - here. 

Sources:
Price, Brendan M., and Melanie Wasserman. “The Summer Drop in Female Employment.” Social Science Research Network, Jan. 2022, https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4136948.

“The Value of Camp.” American Camp Association, 22 July 2022, www.acacamps.org/parents-families/benefits-camp/value-camp
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Disclaimer: This blog post aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the benefits of exercise for individuals with ADHD and practical tips for incorporating physical activity into their lives. Remember, it's important to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new exercise regimen.