The Working Parent Playbook — 4 Practical Lessons When Building a Part-Time Side Business

Trying a side hustle looks different for parents, and that is ok.

In my online side hustle adventures thus far, I’ve:

• Created a blog using WordPress.
• Published videos on my YouTube channel.
• Started writing on Medium.
• Created free health-related PDFs

Writing online is where I earned my first $1. Truth be told, I’m still not earning the 5, 6, or 7 figures touted by writers, bloggers, or YouTubers. That being said, I wouldn’t change or exchange my experiences for anything.

I’ve learned that attempting to build one or multiple online businesses takes focus and persistence, as well as acceptance that this course of life is a marathon, not a sprint.

This may be especially evident if, like me, you are working full-time, a beginner at making online content, and raising young children.

I’m a mom of four and I’m raising Gen Z and Gen Alpha kids. If you aren’t aware Gen Z and Gen Alpha kids have been dubbed the digital integrators and digital native generation, respectively. I agree with this assessment.

Many of you are busy parents, like myself, and are trying to juggle loads of responsibilities. What I’ve come to realize over the last year or so is that my kids are growing pretty fast and have been influenced by sources I don’t even know about.

This, in part, is why I’ve implemented several changes in my routine to help find balance as I raise my kids while working in my career and trying to build an online presence.

“The backbone of success is hard work, determination, good planning, and perseverance.” — Mia Hamm, Mother of 3, former professional soccer player.

Here are several practical lessons that I’ve learned so far…

Lesson №1: Make your evenings work for you and not against you

I get it, you are tired after work and have a bunch of things to do for your kids including helping with homework, attending extracurricular activities, preparing dinner, fussing about evening baths, and finally putting your kids to bed.

My advice is to get into the habit of doing these things as soon as you can upon getting home so that you have spare time before you go to sleep. Get all of your kid’s needs and priorities out of the way so that you have time for yourself.

Even if the evening is not the optimal time for you to write, brainstorm, or work on your business, you could still listen to podcasts that align with your business needs or read something inspiring or influential.

For some of you, you will likely prefer to go to sleep, which I also encourage because that means you could wake up early and spend your most productive hours working on your business.

This is what I have been doing for months, allowing me to write more in the morning.

Proactive Tips for Parents

• Discipline is not a practice solely for your kids, it also helps you stick to your goals.
• Give yourself the best chance at success by planning.
• Dig deep and think about every activity that requires your attention.
• Don’t assume everything will fall into place while building a new habit.
• Give yourself time to adjust to a new routine.

Lesson №2: Don’t let anyone make you feel bad about delegating

Parents often have no choice but to multitask. But now and then you might find yourself disoriented and living in chaos. It happens. Figure out ways to optimize your time so that you aren’t doing too much and stressing yourself out.

This means taking responsibilities off of your plate and handing them over to someone who is more than happy to help.

Several years ago, I took it upon myself to find a cosmetologist who specializes in braiding 4C-textured hair. My purpose was to find someone who could help me braid my daughter’s hair faster and better.

I can braid my girl’s hair, but between taking down their braids, washing their hair, and then re-braiding their hair, it took a whole weekend. Leaving me with limited time.

Unfortunately, I was guilt-tripped by an in-law for taking my girls to the salon for the first time. It was insinuated that I was taking the easy way out and I would up putting so much pressure on myself to do it all for a long period.

When I eventually realized I should and would spend my hard-earned money the way I needed to, I let the professionals take over. During their time in the salon, I wrote, read up on things I needed to, or simply relaxed.

Proactive Tips for Parents

• Think about how efficient you could be if you delegated a few tasks.
• Not everyone is going to appreciate or respect your choices.
• Don’t feel obligated to explain yourself to everyone.

Lesson №3: Get your kids involved and teach them

What do you need help with that your kids can manage? Your kids are smart. They have access to a world of information and pick things up quickly.

When I needed a second hand with my YouTube channel, I asked one of my kids to step in with production.

I’ve also seen business owners who sell physical products put their kids to work. Their kids helped with labeling, packaging, and shipping.

These are teachable moments that can help your kids understand the meaning of labor and also give them an idea of the hard work that is entrepreneurship.

You never know when an experience could spark the entrepreneurial spirit in your child.

Proactive Tips for Parents

• Don’t expect your kids to willingly put down their phones and tablets. It can take some encouragement.
• Teach your kids the benefits of learning early and earning early.
• Provide an incentive to your children to help you.

Lesson №4: Learn from parents who have done it before you

You are not the first parent to try your hand at side businesses. There have been countless parents who have big goals and dreams in sight for their side hustles.

Do not hesitate to learn from them. Many of these parents are currently in the trenches and are often willing to share their first-hand experiences.

You may not know anyone personally, and that is ok, there is no harm in going onto websites like Reddit and Quora where people answer questions based on their trials and triumphs.

Proactive Tips for Parents

• You will have moments when you question everything you are doing, this is normal.
• You will hear some not-so-fun experiences, take these for what they are.
• Prioritize your priorities…this sounds funny, but it’s one of the most important things you can do.
• There are times when you will have no choice but to tend to your child.
• When the time comes for you to work on your side business, be relentless, and focus.

Closing remarks

Again, this life course can be frustrating and confusing. You will likely feel many emotions as you work hard to build your business. You will also have doubts as to whether you are being a good parent.

Keep your priorities at the forefront, remember these lessons, and later you can share your success stories with parents who were in your shoes.