The Savvy Entrepreneur

mmm well – I think you hit the nail on the head, my friend – you need the time and the space to figure it all out for yourself. And ya know what? I'm willing to bet that those of us out here in cyber-space that love and adore you, are willing to give you just that.

I for one support you no matter what you do – whether you take your time with this business, or find that some other venture is the absolute perfect right thing for you and the people you want to serve.

I honor your vulnerability here. As someone who is regularly vulnerable… I totally get what it feels like to hover over that publish button and hope that you don't regret it.

I know what it feels like to have a young child at your feet while you're trying to build a business. Heck, when Madd was first born, I had a business, a full time job AND a full time kid – yes – I was crazy. And no – I wasn't very good at making that work.

I spent TONS of time being completely and utterly stressed out. Then, I got laid off – wahoo! I thought it would get easier… I carved out a schedule much like you thought you would have… wrong. I forgot that kids have no concept of “Mommy needs to do this right now honey, so you really need to take a nap!”

It was HARD having a toddler and a business. I spent lots of time stressed out – and more time than I'd like to admit crying and pulling my hair out.

It does get easier. Madd is 7 now – so she's at least able to be reasoned with… most of the time. There are still times where what I want to do, and her expectations collide in a horrible mess.

But ya know what? We're human. We're women. We're strong women. Women who care fiercely about our kids, but who also want to make a difference in the world. And dammit, this kind of stress comes with that.

We just need to be better at honoring our needs, and not worrying about what the heck other people think during these times of reflection and re-directing.

I say – YOU GO GIRL! You take what's needed right now, and don't stress about it. The people that love you understand and we support you… and anyone that doesn't understand and would unsub… well… are they really YOUR people anyway?? Not trying to be mean, but… you get it.

Much love to you hon – thank you for being vulnerable… it's posts like this that make the rest of us brave about sharing our own stories

Dear Cristina…

Here are your consequences…

HUGS! Good for you for writing this, and you are in an awesome place! (I'm a mom of four, ages 8 through 19, if it makes a diff)

Seconds to everything Jenn said… she knows. And I say you're in an awesome place, becasue when the ground as you've previosuly known it shifts under you, you discover what you're really made of, and what other possbilities and resources the universe has to offer you.

Flexibility and adaptability are excellent qualities to cultivate… and other skills will now be necessary to learn.. all of which will go to improve your life and your business.

You may be second-guessing your abilities now, but they were based on 'life w/o kids in the way'. So, what that tells you is that you need to develop new abilites, and wow! That can be one more thing you can offer your customers!

Take a breath. Adjust to the new rhythm.. (that was something I learned from Lisa Hunter of extraordinary women thrive.com)… you learn to work with rhythms and flow. And enjoy your kidlets. They will exhaust you and inspire you.

And kudos to you for writing this. I wouldn't be surprised if a whole new dimension of response comes to you as a result of your willingness to be 'vulnerable'…

Your post touched me deeply. It is very difficult to raise toddlers and run a business. I know because I am trying to do the same thing – raising and homeschooling my three year old while running my VA business.

As hard as it is, the rewards are so worth it. Be encouraged and take it one day at a time. Heck, there are days when you may have to take it one minute at a time!

I would also encourage you to reach out for concrete help. Not to pull a plug, but a Virtual Assistant could do wonders to taking a lot off your plate.

Thank you for sharing your struggle. God bless You.

First of all you will look back on spending time with your kids with joy and that is nothing to apologize for.
I can completely relate. Hubby took an out of town job for awhile and I'm “manning” the fort. This leaves me all of 17 hours a week to run my business.
However, I DO get to race Mariokart, watch Hannah Montana and go swimming twice a week!

I've so been here. When we had our first foster kids, they were ages 2 & 3 and I ended having to put them in preschool a couple of hours each morning. I just could not get anything done or think straight. Me, former Daycare teacher of awesomeness. And right now I'm running a family daycare with 3 kids, on the verge of adopting 2 kids and I wonder, can I do this plus all the things I want to do? Its not bad to let some things go for a while, or go more slowly than you had planned. And its not even bad to let your kids be watched by someone else from time to time. Actually I found, it was good for them to have perspectives from other people- and I found I was a much better mommy when I had time to get our lives in order. Wish you the best.

Look at you … modeling honesty and intensity and passion! What a relief to know that even the experts fall apart … instead of having to say “Oh boy, I could never be like HER”, we get to say “Wow, if she can find ways to share how she interacts with difficult times so can I …”

And then when you've turned the corner and are all fabulously successful, we'll know that you really truly get it.

Yay Cristina, is all I have to say. Hang in there, honey. And take care of yourself.
xo

Hi Christina,
While we want to spend time with our children, there is a piece of us which needs to be creative, involved, etc. I am recently reading works on resiliency. Resilient kids make it in today;s world. I have found after 30 plus years working with children. The most resilient kids tend to be kids who know how to self regulate and how to survive not having their every whim met. Now this may seem counterintuitive to the mommy gene, but in the long run, it does pay off. Why not hire a high schooler to spend a couple hours a week with the kids while you retire to your office to do what you love to do?
Have a planned activity for them; i.e. craft, baking cookies, going for a walk.
You will all feel renewed, refreshed… and happy.
My two cents.. lu

Dear Cristina,

Hugs and respect, piles of both from this gramma and mom of 5.

I have lived through the tornado that is motherhood, no matter what the kids' ages. I remember the craziness and the late night prayers that my kids would thrive despite our chaotic life.

I also remember my unique look during that time included blowing my long hair dry by putting my head down near the heater, keeping one eye above the dashboard, on the road, while racing to get to wherever we were headed.

I NEVER felt like I had it all together back then, for about, what 15 years?

Somehow it all works out.

They are grown and happy and accomplished, and I'm still working.

Breathe deep and keep your focus on the present.

I look forward to reading the rest of the story!

You are not alone. It's sometimes easier to have the knowledge and wisdom and give it to others but not follow it yourself. It happens. One of the ministers at the church I attend admitted the same thing. She was encouraging us to believe God for deliverance and to hold on and have faith in Jesus for our situations but wasn't acting on this same encouragement for herself. Life can get to you but that is why you need a strong support system and reach out to others. God bless you, Jesus loves you and I am praying for you.

Hi Cristina, I admire you for your courage to share your humanity with all of us… everything you are sharing is a gift… and an inspiration for others to be brave. You are amazing!

Kudos to you for taking the courageous leap of being honest and open about this, and I have no doubt that the people you have touched – through coaching, your personality, your integrity, your blog, etc. – will wait for you.

I met some spectacular women at the annual Canadian Association of Professional Speakers conference a few months ago – all moms, and all successful in their careers too. But they admitted that sacrifices had to be made for the sake of the family, and that it was likely that their businesses could have been bigger and more profitable, they could have had more books written, and had more opportunities for international travel if they didn't have a family. However, the upside is, they had a family! And they loved and adored their family, and wouldn't give it up for all the money and all the international travel in the world. At the same time, many of them 'involved' their kids into their lives, because they wanted to show the kids that their mom has a passion, and that she has to continue doing this passion in order to be the best mom ever. Of course, it's not always sunshine and roses, and it's not always easy, but they were very proud that their kids were able to see that their mom is passionate, dynamic, and ambitious.

Take it one day at a time, and I have no doubt that when you decide on the right path, you'll be stronger than ever. Best of luck with your journey.

There is absolutely nothing more that I can add that has not been said better above rnrnI can state that there are us folks out here that are in your corner!rnrnPS – I just have to survive the 14 yr old now ,the older ones are already through the system …….

There is absolutely nothing more that I can add that has not been said better above

I can state that there are us folks out here that are in your corner!

PS – I just have to survive the 14 yr old now ,the older ones are already through the system …….