This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Bright Horizons Early Education and Preschool for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.

When I became a mom for the first time, I learned that there was an unspoken assumption that I had also gained super powers. All of a sudden, I was expected to be able to do all the things I’ve always done, but now with a tiny human attached to me. Taking care of the house. Going to work. Socializing with friends (and showing up on time!). My friends and family really believed there was nothing I couldn’t do.

I hated to disappoint them, but the reality is—this mama is human.

As the mom of two children now, that humanity is even more apparent. Not only do I have a thriving business to manage, but my daughter has tons of activities that she needs to get to, and my little guy needs lots of attention. In a nutshell, I’m more busy than ever. I do my best, but often my efforts land me closer to the “Pretty Alright Mom” rather than “Super Mom”. You know what, though? I’m okay with that. Both of my children love me, business is booming, and I still have my sanity. Win, win, win! So, how do I balance being a mom and growing my business? I’m always adapting and changing to make my life as a working mom go smoother. These are a few practices I’ve put into place that help.

Set daily priorities and stick to them.

Obviously my family and their well-being is my #1 priority. There are times when doing something that is work related helps me to support my family more than doing something family related, though. For example, if my daughter has a choir performance at the same time I have an opportunity to present about my business at a conference filled with potential clients, my husband might attend the concert on his own this time. Each day I decide what my priorities are, and I base my schedule on handling those things.

Be intentional about your end goals.

When you know what you’re working towards, it makes it easier to say no to things that aren’t going to help you to reach them. I am very tuned in to what my goals are and check in with them on a daily basis. If I have something on my to-do list that takes away from family time and it’s not helping me reach my goal, it’s deleted and I free up that time. Accept that you can’t do everything.

I am one person. I can only do one person’s worth of stuff every day. Instead of worrying about the things that I can’t do, I focus that energy on what I can get done.

Find a partner you can depend on.

Having great partners is essential for being successful as a working mom. My husband is incredibly supportive, as are my family and friends. For many working moms, quality child care is the key to being able to succeed in business. I know how challenging it can be to find a place where you feel safe leaving your child. I remember the stress I felt when my daughter was a baby. Health and safety, curriculum, and a loving and supportive staff are just a few of things to consider when looking for a program for your child. Bright Horizons is the leading provider of high-quality early education and preschool, and they are a great choice for moms. 

From Family Matters webinars to the Family Room Blog, and teachers and directors who are a resource to parents, Bright Horizons is committed to being partners in parenting. They’ve been leaders in the early education field for over 30 years, so it’s no surprise that they understand the importance of supporting parents to help children thrive. For more information on Bright Horizons Early Education and Preschool programs and parenting resources, check out their website. 

I feel very fortunate to be able to grow a business while taking care of my children. I know they say you can’t have it all, but I kind of feel like I do. I’m not saying I have it all at the same time, but that’s okay. I’ll take it any way I can get it!