5 Ways to Build an Online Business While Being There for Your Kids

Being an entrepreneur can be very fulfilling.

Being an entrepreneur can also be time intensive and downright grueling.

That does not mean it should consume you, especially if you are balancing parenthood while building your online platform.

Time is a precious commodity that continues to taunt you. You have glorious ideas of what you could build online, yet life constantly gets in the way.

Your kids demand your attention and your job saps your strength. How in the world are you going to be successful as an entreprenuer, when you can barely make it through your day?

How can you dedicate your time to effectively stand up an internet business or pursue your online passions if your kids are constantly yelling out for you?

How can you eliminate the regret when you snap at your kids because they are “interrupting you” again?

It can be done.

Here are 5 ways you can be a successful entrepreneur and still be a rock star parent.

Force Family First

Your kids are extremely busy. With the amount of events they attend after school, the number of true hours available to the family is limited to just a few hours per night. Dedicate those fleeting hours to them.

Come home from work and engage with your kids. Don’t simply throw a greeting in their direction and then plant yourself over your laptop for the rest of the night.

Sit down with them, eat dinner, help with homework, ask how their day was, and really engage with them. Your business will be there after you tuck them in for the night.

Use the “Between” Time

We are always looking for more time, yet sometimes there is hidden time nestled in the middle of your day that could be used more effectively.

Be more cognizant of the little pieces of time that typically go unnoticed. Find little periods of time throughout your day where you could be doing something more productive. For instance, listen to podcasts on your way to work or while gardening. Bring your laptop to your kids’ practice and hammer out a few strategic goals for your business or write a couple of blog posts. While you are waiting for your coffee to brew at the office engage with your social media community.

The time residing between scheduled events on your calendar can be incredibly useful and provide tremendous value in the long run.

Ease Into the Stream

Don’t let your business consume you, especially at the beginning. It will be tempting to do everything and do it now but you have to understand it is a journey and not a sprint.

You can’t possibly get everything done in the beginning while still being there for your kids. Yes, your mind will be racing with ideas and plans, but you have to stay purposeful and on point.

With that said, it is important to capture all of these blossoming ideas somewhere so they can ultimately be examined.

Reject Expectations

You are going to hear numerous stories of fantastic success. Some will be true, some will be greatly exaggerated.

You have to filter these stories and understand this may not be your story…at least initially. Don’t go into your side business with grossly overinflated expectations based on a few success stories you’ve heard in other people’s marketing.

It is really hard to do but you have to keep your mind clear and avoid the distractions that may derail you. Don’t become discouraged because you aren’t making thousands of dollars in your first 6 months. Most people aren’t.

Understand this is something that will take some time. Enjoy the actual journey and your definition of success will ultimately be attainable.

Share the Journey

Your kids are going to ask you what you are doing. Be honest with them. Include them in your journey. What better way to ignite the next generation of entrepreneurs than to expose them to it at an early age.

Explain the process. Show them “how” to do it. You never know, they may be the next internet mogul.

While you may be teaching them about business, you’ll undoubtedly receive value in return. Listen to your kids. They will bring a fresh and unfiltered view of your business and provide strategic advice whether they know it or not.