Childcare Costs & Entrepreneurship: Find Freedom Now

The Childcare Cost Conundrum: Your Catalyst to Entrepreneurial Freedom?

Right, let's have a real talk. How many of you mamas out there feel like you're working just to keep your little ones in childcare? Like, you're hustling, putting in the hours, only to see most of your hard-earned cash disappear into the childcare black hole? I see you. I feel you. It's a conundrum, isn't it? This whole "work-to-pay-for-childcare" cycle? It's enough to make you want to scream into a pillow (or, you know, whatever helps you unwind!).

Is This Really It?

I've been there. Juggling multiple jobs, trying to piece together some semblance of a career while also being a present mum. & honestly, there were times when the sheer absurdity of it all hit me like a ton of bricks. During my MBA—already a pretty intense experience – my school-aged daughter was just a toddler, and childcare was a constant puzzle. We were living in temporary accommodation at the time, trying to manage the demands of the program while also navigating a new environment, limited family support, and very little sleep. I vividly remember one morning trying to present a group project on only a few hours of sleep, fuelled by copious amounts of coffee, while simultaneously fielding texts from the childminder about a sudden nappy rash emergency. It felt like I was constantly running on fumes, one minor crisis away from a complete meltdown.

Reframing the Challenge: From Conundrum to Catalyst

But here's the thing: sometimes, the biggest challenges can become our greatest catalysts. That feeling of being trapped, of working just to cover childcare, can be the very thing that pushes us to explore new possibilities. & for many mothers, that possibility is online entrepreneurship.

Online Entrepreneurship: A Strategic Solution, Not Just a Side Hustle

Now, I'm not talking about some "hustle harder" side gig that adds even more to your already overflowing plate. I'm talking about building a strategic, sustainable online business. A business that gives you the flexibility, financial freedom, & frankly, the sanity you deserve.

• Set Your Own Hours: Imagine having control over your schedule, aligning work with family needs. No more frantic mornings or missing those precious school plays.

• Work From Anywhere: Ditch the commute and embrace location independence. Work from home, a coffee shop, or even the beach (with reliable Wi-Fi, of course!).

• Be Present for Your Kids: Imagine actually being present for your little ones' milestones – the "beautiful chaos" and all, from those first wobbly steps to the science fair projects that seem to materialize overnight. It’s about building a business that gives you more time, not less.

This really speaks to our core value of ActionAction at Femmeprenista. It’s about growth & EmpowermentEmpowerment. It's about considering your whole life – your energy, your well-being, and ensuring your business energises rather than drains you. Imagine having the tools & strategies to implement efficient systems. Systems that leverage smart AI tools to truly streamline your processes & delegate or ditch what's not serving you. One of my MomentumMomentum clients, a busy mum of three, was able to double her revenue while halving her working hours simply by implementing the AI-powered systems we developed together. It’s about working smart, too. As the saying goes, success doesn’t come from doing more; it comes from doing the right things consistently. It's about finding your own definition of a rich liferich life.

Reclaiming Your Agency: It Starts with a Shift in Mindset

The first step is often the hardest: shifting your mindset from "I can't" to "How can I?". It's about recognizing that even within a system that often feels rigged against working mothers, you have the power to create change. You have agency. Perhaps you’re at the very beginning, just starting out, full of ideas but unsure where to begin. You might be feeling that familiar fear creeping in, the one that whispers "Who am I to do this?" Trust me, I've been there. There was one month, shortly after my youngest was born, when I literally had to choose between paying the mortgage or covering the unexpected cost of emergency childcare when my usual arrangements fell through. That’s when I knew, deep down, that I needed a different solution. That fear almost stopped me from launching the Spark ProgramSpark Program itself! I remember questioning everything – my expertise, my ability to manage the program with a toddler and a newborn, the very idea of putting myself out there. But I pushed through, built the systems I needed, and it became one of our most successful entry points, helping so many women gain the clarity and validation they craved. & that's exactly what our Spark ProgramSpark Program offers: support in navigating those early-stage doubts and creating a solid foundation for your business dreams.

Your Smallest Viable Step: Join the Conversation

It's easy to feel overwhelmed, I get it. The juggle is real. But what if, instead of feeling defeated by the childcare cost crisis, you saw it as a powerful nudge towards a more fulfilling future?

Here are three steps to get you started:

1. Clarify Your Why: List three reasons why entrepreneurial freedom matters to you. What would it mean for your family, your well-being, and your dreams?

2. Connect & Collaborate: Join our free Femme:Connect community to connect with other female entrepreneurs who get it. Share your challenges, celebrate your wins, and find the support you need.

3. Take Action: Explore our Spark ProgramSpark Program designed specifically for "Foundation Builders." This program will provide you with the tools and strategies to validate your business idea, gain crystal clarity on your niche, and build a solid foundation for entrepreneurial success.

As Tony Robbins says, The only impossible journey is the one you never begin. Remember, you are not alone in this. Share your thoughts, your challenges, and even your "one eyeliner on because I was cleaning something off the carpet" stories in the comments below! Let's support each other.

Carlene Nisbett

Founder & CEO, Femmeprenista (Coach, Mentor, Speaker)

Wife, Mother of four, Business Owner, PhD Researcher, Pet mom, Plant mom, 5'0" tall Passionate Multitasker & Wine Lover, You get the drift

P.S. This workbook is just the beginning!

If you're looking for a supportive community of like-minded female entrepreneurs who get it, why not pop over and say hello?

Join the Femme:Connect Facebook Community

We'd love to welcome you!