OK, so if this is a blog about having young children and a business, why would I be telling you about how to be a stay at home mum?
The media would have you believe that it’s a straight choice between being a working mum on the one hand and a stay at home on the other. But I know that real life isn’t so black-and-white.
Often mums with businesses start up very slowly. After all, if we want to spend time with our kids we’re probably not going to rush into a full-time business. So even though you have a fledgling business, you may find you’re basically a stay-at-home mum for most of your day.
While that may sound like the perfect work-life balance, it’s not without its challenges! I know, I’ve done it. The change in rhythm from a full-time career to being at home with small children takes some adjusting to. And that’s just the beginning.
That’s where I think this new e-book ‘How to be a stay at home mum‘, could be really helpful.
It’s written by Nicola Semple of LifeAfterMaternityLeave.com, a website which provides information and support to new or ‘new again’ parents as they make decisions about returning to work, balancing a career with parenthood.
The book is full of practical advice and real life examples from stay at home mums who are grappling with the same issues:
- The Finances – how can you spend less, make the money you do spend go further and generate some extra income while you are at home with your children.
- The Kids – take time to remember the huge positives of being a Stay at Home Mum (there was a reason you decided to do this job in the first place!) and pick up tips and techniques for making your time with your children as stress free and enjoyable as possible.
- The House – get organised and get the whole family involved in keeping the house in order. Learn simple, proven techniques to minimise the amount of time that you spend on housework so that you have time to get on with more interesting things instead.
- The Partner – recognise the inevitable changes in your relationship with your Partner when you become a Stay at Home Mum and the steps that you can take to make sure that you continue to communicate with each other and enjoy time together as a couple and as a family.
- The Mum – explore some of the issues and concerns that many women have about losing their identity and giving up their ‘old life’. We explore ways to build your confidence, build your mum network and feel more positive about your decision to be a Stay at Home Mum.
- The Future – we look at ways that Stay at Home Mums can ‘futureproof’ themselves. Just because you have decided to give up your career for a period of time doesn’t necessarily mean that you will never work again, or have a satisfying and rewarding career again. We look at ways that you can use this period of your life as an opportunity to take stock, prepare for the future and get geared up to return to the job market in a stronger position than ever.
By the end of the book you will have your own personal action plan covering:
- Managing your finances
- Making the most of your time with your children
- Looking after your home
- Maximising your time with your partner
- Making time for you
- Preparing for the future and what you will do when your children are older
I have to say that if I’d read this book four years ago I could have saved myself a lot of stress and frustration. Yes, even though I wasn’t technically a stay at home mum!
This book would also be perfect if you decide that a business and a baby is too much for you right now and you’re going to put the business on hold for a few years.
You can get 25% off How to be a stay at home mum by entering voucher code BIZPLUSBABY at the checkout. Click here to buy or find out more.
Don’t miss a thing here at Business Plus Baby! Let me keep you up to date with new posts…click here to get my newsletter. I’ll also send you a copy of my e-book Running a business around a family: 9 steps to success.
Contains affiliate links