How to balance motherhood and business as a private practice dietitian
When I recently posted the challenges of balancing motherhood and business as a private practice dietitian, the response was profound and resonated with so many working mums. After running my businesses for the past 16 years while juggling the demands of family life and raising children, balancing midnight feeds with early client meetings, I’ve learned what does and (more importantly) doesn’t work when we’re trying to navigate two full-time jobs; running a household and growing your private practice.
To expand on my recent post, I thought I’d share my thoughts in this blog article to help you surf the rough patches of parenting and entrepreneurship (specifically for private practice owners) so you can eventually come out the other side feeling fulfilled, professionally and personally.
Balancing parenting and running a dietitian private practice
Starting a private practice is a no-brainer for dietitians either planning a family or already juggling children and work life. It offers flexibility, independence and the potential for higher financial rewards. However, the reality of what it takes to sustain a business, especially when coupled with the responsibilities of motherhood, is often over-glamourised with glossy behind-the-scenes videos on social media.
It takes a lot of time, hard work and dedication to see the flexibility, independence and financial returns. So, while it’s great to jump into this industry if you’re planning on having children or already have little ones to run after, there’s a lot to consider as to how you design your business so you don’t get Mum burnout (also known as – depleted mother syndrome).
After my second child, there was this moment when I almost sold my business for a fraction of its worth. Those days were tough with sleep-deprived nights, a never-ending list of tasks, and trying to be there for my clients and kids; I’d lost the spark and love for my business. But I just couldn’t let it go, so determined to make it work, I decided to make some changes and safe to say, I’m glad I stuck in there.
I learned how to manage my time better, delegate, set goals I could actually hit, and remember to take a breather for myself, too. I want to share what worked for me with other dietitians and business owners riding this rollercoaster, specifically at the different stages of my children’s lives.
Ideas to navigate business & parenting at different stages
Planning Children – If you plan on having children, create a business that’ll grow with your family, and think about flexibility from the get-go. This might look like hiring a team or contractor before you start trying or building a solid referral network so you can hand over clients when you need to step back during those precious early months.
Pregnant – Get your ducks in a row before the baby arrives. Either create an online course to bring in passive income or hire a contract maternity cover to see your clients while you step back from the 1:1 work.
Babies – This is arguably the hardest time because, as a mum, it feels like your baby needs you 24/7 and that you’ll never find the time to work again. But babies grow quickly and eventually gain independence to the point where you can gradually start thinking about work. Maybe that looks like ½ a day, then a full day before taking on part-time hours.
Toddlers – This was when I had an honest conversation with my husband. We decided for me to run my business full-time and go all in; he’d have to be the primary stay-at-home parent as we wanted to have someone with the boys. I know this isn’t an option for everyone, but this is a hectic time that needs a solid support system, so think about your options, e.g. daycare, parents, or talking to your partner for help.
Primary school – Once the kids are at school, it gives you more freedom. However, at the same time, this is when the extracurricular activities start, and time is stretched in other ways. During these years, I’ve found it helpful to take my laptop and finish work tasks while watching the kids at school sports; you’ll be amazed at how many emails you can send while watching a 10-year-old play tennis.
High school – Now that my oldest child has started year 7, I’ve shifted gears again about what it means to run a business with children. It feels easier than when he was a toddler or young child, but it still has challenges, and I’m always learning.
Remember, it will get better. Even if you’re just surviving and feel like you’re failing at your business, kids, and relationship, help is always available, and you deserve it.
10 tips for juggling work and motherhood
- Try to ease the ‘mum guilt’ – easier said than done, right? But in my experience, it’s 100% worth the time and effort to slowly shift your mindset. Our kids are resilient and will always love us (even if it doesn’t feel like it sometimes), and remember it takes a community to raise a family.
- Look into support subsidies – whether you need childcare, preschool, or family day care, each Australian state offers different levels of financial support for working parents.
- Delegate – Prioritise your expertise and higher-skilled tasks and get help for the smaller tasks others can do – this goes for both at home and in your business. For example can you hire a house cleaner, gardener, ironer, babysitter or admin support at work?
- Flexible work locations – ask yourself what can be done remotely. I spend so much time waiting for my kids to finish their afternoon sports training sessions (literally hours each week), so I take my laptop some days to catch up on emails or social media posts.
- Take the pressure off – realistic expectations. Rome wasn’t built in a day, just like your private practice. It takes time (despite what some online business coaches will have you believe) to design a sustainable, profitable and flexible business that works with your family.
- Use your social media time wisely – unfollow (or mute) other dietitians you compare yourself to or make you feel like you’re not doing enough. Reduce your scrolling time and do something that fills your cup instead.
- Make time for yourself – this may only be 5-10 minutes when you have babies, but you will find more time as your children grow. Cherish these moments, take deep breaths and feel present. Do what you need for yourself in that moment because, trust me, the dishes and emails will still be there, but you’ll be in a better state of mind to knock them out!
- Set Boundaries – You are human. You are one person. You need to take care of yourself first. Set boundaries around your time, sleep (I know this isn’t always possible in the younger years), get better at saying no, and try to simplify your life.
- Teach your kids independence – with time, ask your kiddos for help with small tasks, like setting the table, watering plants, or feeding pets. In my experience, they love the responsibility and showing you, they can do things without your help.
- Communication – let those around you know what is going on. Share your stress, pressure, and challenges; it’s a sign of strength to let others into your world, not weakness. You will be amazed at who will help when you can communicate your needs clearly and how much it can lighten your mental load.
A note on business & motherhood in this social media era
In today’s digital age, running a business as a mother is arguably even more challenging. It’s easy to end up in a constant state of comparison and feel the pressure to “do it all” now; it can feel so overwhelming. When I started my business and my children were very young, the private practice landscape was less crowded, and it was easier to focus on my own journey without the constant noise of social media. With the increase of online clinics and daily access to the highlight reels of fellow dietitians, the pressure to keep up can feel suffocating. It can feel like you’re never doing “good enough”.
Remember, It’s ok to ask for help
If you feel like you’re just keeping your head above water and barely making it through the days, know I see you. Remember how brave you are for creating your own employment and generating your own income to help support yourself and your family.
I’m so passionate about supporting women to balance the juggle of motherhood and business. If you’d like to speak to a business coach with a compassionate ear who can suggest strategies to reduce the overwhelm, let’s chat.
Book a 90-minute “Get It Done” session with Jodie
