Let’s be honest: being a parent is already a full-time job. Add running a business on top of that, and you’ve got yourself a recipe for chronic overwhelm. If you’ve ever been on a client call while hiding in the bathroom because your toddler is having a full-blown meltdown over the colour of their cup—you are so not alone.
The truth is, entrepreneurial parenting isn’t just a balancing act—it’s more like juggling fire while riding a unicycle on a tightrope… blindfolded. But here’s the good news: stress doesn’t have to be the price of admission. You can run your business, raise your family, and still feel like a functioning human being (most days).
Let’s talk about how.
First, it starts with permission—permission to not be everything to everyone all the time. You can be a brilliant CEO and still forget picture day at school. You can be a loving, present parent and still miss a deadline now and then. You’re not failing; you’re human. The sooner you stop holding yourself to superhuman standards, the more room you give yourself to actually breathe.
Second, don’t underestimate the power of small rituals. No, not the 5 a.m. ice baths or elaborate self-care routines the internet loves to sell us on. I’m talking five quiet minutes with your coffee before the house wakes up. A post-bedtime walk around the block. Sitting in the car for an extra song before you go inside. These little pauses are anchors—they remind your nervous system that you’re safe, grounded, and still in control (even when your calendar looks like a Jackson Pollock painting).
Also? Talk to other parents who are in it. Not in a “let’s compare chaos” kind of way, but in that “you too?” way that reminds you you’re not the only one trying to send emails while microwaving chicken nuggets. Sometimes just hearing, “Yeah, that sounds hard” from someone who gets it is enough to take the edge off.
And if you’re building a business that’s supposed to give you freedom, don’t build it in a way that traps you. You don’t have to chase every opportunity, say yes to every client, or scale faster than your sanity allows. Growth is great—but not at the cost of your health, your family, or your peace of mind. You’re allowed to grow slow. You’re allowed to grow sustainably. You’re allowed to build a business that fits around your life, not the other way around.
At the end of the day, stress will come and go. There will be seasons where everything feels like too much. That’s okay. What matters is how you respond to those moments. You don’t need to eliminate stress to live well—you just need to know how to soften its grip when it shows up.
And remember: you’re doing something extraordinary. You’re building a legacy and bedtime routines. You’re making deals and peanut butter sandwiches. That’s powerful. That’s inspiring. That’s… a little chaotic sometimes, sure. But it’s also incredibly worth it.
You’ve got this. Truly. And when you don’t? Deep breaths, phone a friend, and remember—tomorrow’s a new day.
