It’s easy for parents to convince themselves they can handle everything on their own. After all, we spend so much of our time doing just that and, more often than not, it works out okay. However, it’s important to remember that stretching ourselves too thin can wind up coming back to haunt us, especially when we’re trying to reach our dreams.
That’s why it’s so important to recognize the value of childcare when starting a business. If you’re trying to build a company, now may not be the time to try and manage taking care of your little ones all on your own. Here’s a look at some tips for how to juggle parenting and entrepreneurship without losing your mind:
Outsource What You Can
One simple, effective way to make sure you get to have time with your family while you’re running a business is to outsource work when possible. Obviously, the core tasks of starting and running your company might not lend themselves to delegation. Some to-dos, however, can easily be passed to a contractor or service in order to free up some of your time and energy.
For example, if you’ve been thinking of forming an LLC for your business, consider working with a formation service. LLC registration isn’t necessarily difficult, but it can be tedious and take up a lot of your schedule. Having a service knock that out on your behalf still gets you the legal and tax benefits of the designation, but helps free up your time for more important work.
Turn to Friends and Family
Finding the right long-term childcare for your child can be a bit of an undertaking (more on this later.) In the meantime, however, you probably still want to have some sort of help. Friends and family members might be able to take your kiddos off your hands periodically while you manage your business and work on finding a long-term solution.
Remember, although your loved ones may be happy to help periodically, it’s important to avoid taking advantage of them. Make your needs — and timeline — clear, and be gracious if they’re unable to continue. Also, unless they absolutely insist otherwise, pay them! They’re doing a job for you, and you shouldn’t expect them to do it for free.
Finding the Right Childcare
There are many different forms of childcare, and they suit different families with different needs. For example, you may decide that your best option is to enroll your child in a preschool, daycare, or after-school service. These give kids plenty of socialization and typically offer fun and enriching activities. They can run the gamut, budget-wise, so you can find an option that suits your financial situation.
If you’d prefer a more personal or family-like environment, you may be able to find a small in-home daycare. These can be a better fit for a child that needs a little bit more one-on-one care, but you may feel uncomfortable leaving your child in a stranger’s home. Search through your state’s registry to find legitimate, registered sites to ensure your child’s safety.
Finally, some families will be best suited by hiring a nanny. This is often a more expensive option, but you and your kids develop a relationship with a specific, dedicated caregiver along the way. This can also be a budget-friendly option for parents that only need childcare periodically, although you may have a harder time finding a nanny who can accommodate an inconsistent schedule.
Getting the support you need to make your dreams possible is an invaluable step when it comes to starting a business. Childcare can give you the time and energy you need to make smart, effective choices and give your business a strong start.
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