If you are planning to launch a new business and are also expecting a baby, you certainly have your hands full. Know that you are not alone and that with hard work and organization, you can pull it off. Today, Southwest Contemporary Women’s Care shares four simple tips that will help you through this hectic phase of your life.
1. Create a Routine and Stick With It
Having a new baby is thrilling but also a lot of work. To also start a company at this time, you need to have a routine. Once the baby is awake, it will likely be difficult for you to get ready for the day. So it’s wise to wake before your bundle of joy does and savor a cup of coffee, shower, and try to gather everything you and baby need before leaving the house. If you share parental duties with your partner, try creating a chart illustrating who will take which responsibilities. This helps prevent clashes about daily tasks while rushing around first thing in the morning. It also avoids the scenario of arriving at daycare with no bottles or formula because each parent thought the other had taken care of it.
A 2018 study found that bedtimes are also crucial to child development, so be sure to establish a solid nighttime routine as well for your baby and yourself as well. It’s also important to add a few key items to your wardrobe that help you transition from mom to entrepreneur. You want to be comfortable, but also look professional in case of a video meeting. Find some simple nursing shirts and blouses that will allow you to switch between roles without missing a beat.
Ensure you find the time to eat right and get a little exercise to keep yourself energetic as you juggle parenthood and entrepreneurship. Walking or jogging with your infant in the stroller is a great way to spend time together and stay healthy.
2. Find a Reliable Babysitter
Finding a good babysitter often starts close to home. Ask people you know and trust if they can recommend a good sitter or nanny to help you with your infant. You can also use websites to help you find responsible caregivers in your local area. Questions to ask potential candidates include:
- How much experience do you have working with infants?
- Do you have children?
- Is childcare a long-term career for you?
- Are you willing to tidy up my home?
- What is your hourly rate?
- Are you willing to stay overnight on occasion? What is your rate for this?
- Do you have a driver’s license and are you comfortable driving the baby?
- Are you CPR certified?
3. Take Advantage of Available Technology
If you cannot be with your precious newborn every second of the day, you can have the next best thing by equipping yourself with modern gadgets. From apps to monitors and oxygen-level measuring tools, there are plenty of tools that let you stay connected to your baby even when you are not under the same roof.
Using technology won’t just help you with the baby. Look online for accounting software, social marketing tools, cloud-based team platforms, and more! You’ll even find programs to help. For instance, you can create customized invoices for free using this program. Simply find a style that you like and that suits your business. Then download, edit, and you’re ready to go!
4. Form a Limited Liability Company
Forming a limited liability company protects entrepreneurs from becoming personally liable for business-related debt. In addition, operating through an LLC provides tax benefits and flexibility for company owners. Each state has different rules governing the operations of LLCs, so be sure to check your state’s regulations before forming one. Next, create a detailed business plan in which you analyze your audience and set out a timeline and strategy for reaching your target market through strategic steps. Once your plan is complete, you simply follow it and modify it when needed.
Though these are certainly busy days, with the tips above, you can pull off entrepreneurship and care for a baby simultaneously. Find a schedule that works for you and the baby and stick to it as closely as possible. But remember, the one thing you can count on with a newborn is that things will change, so be flexible. Find ways to be comfortable, but still feel put together and in control. These first few months will be difficult, but you will power through them and feel proud of all you have accomplished.
Southwest Contemporary Women’s Care provides OB/GYN services for all women from their teens through maturity in our offices located in Ahwatukee, Gilbert, and Tempe. If you have any questions, let us know!
Contributed by Dana Brown, Healthconditions.info