Mumpreneur Work From Home: Tame the Chaos & Thrive [Guide]

(Admin) The Thrivology Company
Jul 22, 2024
6 min read

The Mumpreneur's Guide to Taming the Wild West of Working From Home (Without Losing Your Mind!)

Mumpreneur chaos? 🤯 Tame the WFH wild west! Discover focus hacks & mindset shifts for ambitious female entrepreneurs. Read now!

Right, let's be honest. Working from home as a female entrepreneur & mum? It's less "peaceful haven of productivity" & more "wild west of constant interruptions." One minute you're crafting a killer marketing strategy, the next you're negotiating a hostage situation involving a rogue toddler & a stolen banana. You know that feeling, right?

I mean, I'm sitting here trying to write this very blog post, & my two-year-old has just decided my laptop keyboard is the perfect canvas for her latest masterpiece – a sticky, abstract expression of mashed banana art. Meanwhile, my six-year-old, fueled by pure imagination and a questionable amount of sugar, is giving a full-throated performance of her own, using a toy microphone as her personal stage. It's the beautiful chaos we know and love, right? But seriously, who has time for this when deadlines are looming?!

But while the humour is real (and sometimes essential for our sanity!), the struggle is also real. How do we actually get anything done amidst this constant whirlwind of demands, distractions, and darling little humans (and furry friends!) who have an uncanny knack for needing you the EXACT moment a crucial client email arrives?

This is the question I’ve wrestled with myself, especially while juggling four children (ranging from toddler tantrums to teenage tech meltdowns), a PhD, recovering from my fourth C-section, and running Femmeprenista – often without the local family support many assume is there. My journey is undoubtedly slower, but I'm here for the long haul. And trust me, slow and steady wins the race, especially when "life happens." I am immensely grateful for my blessings (four incredible children, a loving and supportive partner, and a roof over our heads!), but I also passionately refuse to "stay in my lane." Does that mean that I want more for my kids and myself? Absolutely. I believe in hard work and smart work, and that we can create abundance, even when the path isn't straight or easy.

So, how do we tame this wild west and reclaim our focus as ambitious Millennial & Gen X female entrepreneurs, often mums, navigating the unique pressures of our generation - from stagnant wages and the ever-rising cost of living (you know, like when a block of cheese costs a small fortune!) to the desire for more fulfilling, autonomous work?

Taking Back Control: It Starts with You (Yes, Really!)

While I fully acknowledge the systemic challenges we face (let's be real, the "good salary" hasn't budged in a decade while the price of, well, everything has skyrocketed! https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/inflationandpriceindices/bulletins/consumerpriceinflation/latest), my core belief is that waiting for "the system" to magically fix everything isn't a winning strategy. I’m talking stagnant wages, housing costs that feel like a cruel joke, and the pressure to “do it all” while raising the next generation.

It’s easy to get caught in the "it's not my fault, it's the system" trap. I've been there. Trust me, I vividly remember those corporate days, feeling micromanaged, underpaid, and like my contributions weren't truly valued. But what I've realized, both through my own journey and through my doctoral research into Black female entrepreneurship, which often reveals remarkable resilience in the face of systemic barriers, is that our power lies in taking ownership. Yes, the system has its flaws. But blaming external factors, while sometimes cathartic, doesn’t actually get us closer to our goals. The question becomes: How can you navigate these challenges strategically? How can you work smart, not just hard, to create the outcomes you desire, even amidst limitations? How can you leverage your inherent Focus to cut through the noise and define what success truly means for you? This isn't about toxic positivity or ignoring the very real struggles; it's about empowering ourselves to find solutions within the context of our lives.

Practical Strategies for Taming the Interruptions (and Your Inner Critic!)

Here are some practical, actionable steps, inspired by my own “juggler's life” as a mum of four and a business owner, to help you reclaim your focus and build a more productive work-from-home environment:

Dedicated Work Zones (Even if it’s a cupboard!): Create a designated workspace. This could be a spare room, a corner in your living room, or even a repurposed cupboard under the stairs. It doesn't have to be perfect; it just needs to be yours.
Real-World Example: I remember when my youngest was a newborn, and I was desperately trying to carve out some focused work time while also tackling my PhD research. My "office" became a walk-in wardrobe! It wasn't glamorous, but it provided a sense of boundary.
Time Blocking is Your Best Friend: Schedule specific blocks of time for focused work. Treat these blocks as sacred appointments. Use tools like Trello or Google Calendar.
My "Time Blocking Disaster" Story: I’ll admit, when I first tried time blocking, it felt overwhelming. I’d meticulously plan my day, but then life would happen. What I eventually realized is that time blocking needs flexibility. The key isn't to be rigid, but to use the blocks as a guiding framework.
The Power of the Pre-Frame (Kids Edition): Before diving into focused work, pre-frame with your children. Explain what you'll be doing & when you'll be available.
Quick Clarity Tip: For younger children, a visual timer works wonders.
Embrace the "Do Not Disturb" Sign (Digitally & Physically): Silence those notifications! Consider a physical “Do Not Disturb” sign for your workspace.
Juggler's Shortcut: I also use a screensaver on my laptop that says "Mummy's in Focus Mode!"
The Art of the Strategic Distraction (For Little Ones): Keep a stash of special toys or activities for focused work sessions.
System Saviour: I have a "Magic Work Box" filled with engaging activities.
Outsource & Delegate (Even Small Tasks): Can someone help with school pick-up? Can your partner handle a task? Every little bit helps.
A Moment of Gratitude: I remember a time when my partner took the kids out, giving me precious focused time to finish a major project. Those seemingly small acts of support are game changers, especially as a Scaling Leader!
Embrace Imperfect Action & Ditch the Perfectionism: Working from home with kids will never be perfect. Celebrate the small wins!
Personal Reflection: There was a time when I strived for perfection in everything. Ironically, it was my father’s fierce advocacy for me at school that taught me the importance of finding my own voice and owning my imperfections. This, combined with the non-linear path of my PhD journey (which, let's be honest, can feel like a marathon with hurdles, especially while raising little ones!), helped me embrace imperfect action.

Shifting the Mindset: From Overwhelm to Empowerment

Remember, you are not alone on this crazy, beautiful journey. So many ambitious Millennial and Gen X female entrepreneurs are navigating the wild west of working from home.

And, seriously, it's time to tame that inner critic.

My own journey has been anything but linear. I've learned that comparison is the thief of joy.

Feeling overwhelmed? Our Femme Connect Community offers support & resources to help you navigate this journey. More details here: https://www.femmeprenista.com/femmeconnect

Struggling with self-doubt? I’ve been there too. I vividly recall launching my first online course. I poured my heart & soul into it, convinced it would be a game-changer. But then, the launch day arrived… and crickets. I felt like a total fraud, questioning everything – my expertise, my messaging, even my decision to pursue entrepreneurship. The “imposter syndrome” monster was roaring loud. But then, I remembered my own advice: Focus on the Flow. I took a step back, analyzed the data, tweaked my marketing, and, crucially, reached out to my mentor for support. It wasn't an overnight success, but those small, consistent steps, fueled by a shift in mindset (from "I'm a failure" to "I'm learning"), eventually led to consistent clients and a thriving business. You've got this too.