Dear Fellow Mum with a business….

 

I see you there.

 

Working at the kitchen bench in between preparing dinner.

 

I see you there.

 

Late at night when the house is silent, trying to get 8 hours of work done in 3 so you can somehow get some sleep. Hoping that tonight is the night your little person sleeps through. Please let it be the night!!

 

I see you there.

 

At the play café responding to emails on your phone frantically in between keeping an eye on your little one. Hoping that no one is judging you.

 

I see you there.

 

Returning to that email for the 10th time, after breaking up another fight over who has more lego than the other.

 

I see you there.

 

Torn. Torn between the love of motherhood and the love of your own dreams.

 

I see you there.

 

In the carpark, running late, changing a nappy before heading in to a business event.

 

I see you there.

 

Telling your children ‘just 5 more minutes and Mummy will be there’, as you try to respond to an urgent message. Feeling guilty that you’ve lost count of how many ‘5 minutes’ you have needed that day.

 

I see you there.

 

Hiding in your wardrobe to make a phone call.

 

I see you there.

 

Planning the week ahead with military precision to cater for care arrangements, meals to be cooked, activities to be attended and a business to fit around it all.

 

I see you there.

 

Late to school pick up, because you were had that last minute phone call that took longer than you thought.

 

I see you there.

 

Apologising for the 20th time (even though you know you shouldn’t need to and they are understanding, but your head battles your fear of not being seen as committed amongst trying to pretend you dont have any other ties.) because you had to cancel an important meeting to looking after your unwell child.

 

I see you there.

 

Feeling frustrated as you see yet another person with more time and more money, take a business to the level you want to take yours.

 

I see you there.

 

Staring at the pile of dishes, the unfolded laundry and the 150 emails, unsure what to do first.

 

I see you there.

 

Missing out on that important networking night to go to your childs school function.

 

I see you there.

 

Trying not to snap, as yet another person tells you to slow down. That you are doing too much. I see your frustration, what exactly do they expect you to give up? Do they think you are unhappy because you are busy?

 

I see you there.

 

Feeling like you don’t know where you fit in. You don’t get to your mums group anymore as catchups now coincide with work days, and you no longer know what to talk about. And friends don’t seem to understand the challenges of business.

 

I see you there.

 

Biting your tongue while yet another person thinks what you are doing is a hobby and asks when you are going back to work.

 

I see you there.

 

With tears streaming down your face, wondering if this juggle is worth it. Tears of fear that you aren’t there enough for your kids. Tears of fear that you may need to give up to the demands of home life.

 

I see you there.

 

Desperate for flexibility and lifestyle, but feeling more tied down than ever before.

 

I see you there.

 

Battling with your mind over your worth as you work 60 hour + weeks, without being paid, while you build your business.

 

I see you there.

Managing staff and learning to outsource as you grow.

 

I see you there.

Battling the labels and being seen as a business owner  in your own right, yet knowing that being a mum too changes how you ‘business’.

 

I see you there.

 

Making changes to the world. Creating a future for your children.

 

I see you there.

 

Being a role model for your children that leads to them setting up stalls in the front yard, and telling their friends proudly what mummy does.

 

I see you there

 

Worth more than you would ever know.

 

I see you there.

 

Thinking outside of the box, finding ways to save time and doing more in a day than most people can in a week.

 

I see you there.

 

Shining brightly as YOU. Sharing your gift with the world. As I watch on in awe.

 

I see you there.

 

Being a changemaker. Breaking the mould. Innovating. Showing the next generation what is possible.

 

I see you there.

 

Being a Mum AND a Business Owner, because you are proving you can be both.

 

I see you there.

 

Leaving a legacy. Growing a business. Raising a Family.

 

I see you there. I see me there. I see us there together. Sometimes fighting a battle that feels like we can’t win.

 

Please be gentle on yourself.

 

When I see you there face to face, I will give you an understanding smile when I see you working in a cafe, or late to school drop off (because I will be too!). Or offer a hug when it looks like things are getting too much and you’re trying to hold back the tears.

 

Everyones journey in life is different. And yours is unique to you. Please know you are being an amazing mum to your children (exactly the mum you are meant to be) AND living out your own passions. Your heart is fulfilled in more ways than it could ever be.

 

Keep being the incredible mum and talented business owner that you are.

 

Xx Carly