Parenting a toddler and running a business at the same time is a little bit like trying to send a professional email while someone repeatedly presses the spacebar. Possible, but not without chaos.
I didn’t become a Virtual Assistant because I had a lifelong dream of managing inboxes. I did it because I became a mum (and I quite like managing inboxes).
My son is two, and like every toddler, he doesn’t understand the concept of “Mummy’s in a meeting.” What he does understand is that he gets more of me now. No 40-hour office week. No racing out of the door before breakfast. Working for myself means I can spend more time with him, while still building something for our future.
Parenting and small business life don’t run in neat blocks of time. They overlap. Constantly.
🍼 Nap times become power hour work sessions.
🍎 Snack breaks double up as quick inbox clear-outs.
🎠 Soft play? That’s networking time (on your phone, not with the other parents).
And let’s be honest, every parent-preneur knows the fear of a Zoom call being interrupted by a small voice shouting, “I need a poo!” (Thankfully, it hasn’t happened to me yet… but it’s only a matter of time.)
🌈 Flexibility wins: Toddlers don’t do schedules. So I’ve learned to work around him instead of against him.
🚪 Boundaries help: I can’t do everything at once. Sometimes the business has to wait, sometimes the toddler does (sorry, kiddo).
✅ Done is better than perfect: Whether it’s a blog post or a bedtime story, perfection is overrated. Showing up is what counts.
The juggle isn’t easy, but it’s worth it. My son sees me at home, working for myself, building something that fits around him instead of the other way round. Plus I get to be there for the messy, funny, exhausting everyday moments, the ones you don’t get back.
Running a business while parenting a toddler is chaos, but it’s our chaos. And honestly? I wouldn’t swap it for the old 9–5.
If you’re also juggling parenting and business and feel like the admin pile is winning, I get it. I’ve been there.
That’s exactly why I offer Virtual Assistant support for small business owners who want more time for family (and a little less inbox chaos).
👉 Drop me a message here or connect with me on LinkedIn. Let’s make the juggle a little easier.
