I like to do it all. I want to be a loving Mom and devoted wife, a supportive daughter and sister and an amazing friend. I also want to be a successful entrepreneur and create a thriving business and quite frankly, become Canada's top Dietitian, if there was such a thing.
Sometimes I TRY to do it all and fail miserably by neglecting my toddler (we'll call him B), snapping at my patient husband, or letting work slide. Sometimes I DO do it all, and end up sacrificing my own health.
Something has got to give, right?!
Being a Mompreneur is amazing in many ways, and trust me, I'm not one to complain about my situation because I'm lucky. SO lucky. But sometimes this mompreneur juggling act sucks. The constant pull between motherhood and entrepreneurship is frustrating, defeating and tiring. But it's what I chose and am choosing to do- and I wouldn't give it up for the world. So you may be wondering "ok, is this a rant or is she promoting mompreneurship?!" Neither really. Or, maybe both. I'm not sure, but just stay with me.
Being a Mompreneur requires constant decision-making over whether to spend more time with family or more time on work. There's never a perfect balance. And if there is, PLEASE share!!
I was asked yesterday to be on an expert panel for Alberta Prime Time News that aired live tonight. I hemmed and hawed over it for a few hours yesterday in between clients, weighing my two options—yes, I'll do it, or, no I will decline. I NEVER pass up a media opportunity. Ever. And I've always wanted to appear on Alberta Prime Time as an expert. But I knew that my husband had soccer tonight and it was the one night this week that B and I were going to hang out just the two of us. So I hesitantly declined.
On my way home from work, I tried to figure out how I could make it work. I could call the studio back and tell them that I have changed my mind and that I'll do it. I'll call my Mom and beg her to look after B even though she has dinner plans. I'll prepare for my interview during B's nap time (and hope to God that he naps) and then shower when he eats dinner and then rehearse on my way to the studio. Yep. I could do it. I've done it before, and this is an amazing opportunity!!!! But something inside of me, maybe my intuition, told me not to, so I listened.
Today was one of those days. B was seriously testing every nerve that I had. He woke up crying (and didn't stop), refused to eat his breakfast, threw his food across the room, broke a water glass, and dropped my iphone (which cracked). No joke. He also continuously whined "buppy, buppy, bupppyyyyy" all morning. I swear, if I could figure out what "buppy" meant, my life would be a lot easier. It was one of those want-to lock-myself-in-the-bathroom-and-cry kind of mornings. The day went on and seemed to somehow get better and better. We enjoyed macaroni and cheese with peas and carrots, went for a long walk and stopped at the park where we went down the "big slide" together about four thousand times.
After dinner, bath time, and running after my wound-up naked toddler so that I could lotion him up, force him into pajamas and brush his teeth, we sat down and turned on the TV. At this point, I had completely forgotten about Alberta Prime Time, until it appeared on the screen. I started getting butterflies and anxiety about not accepting the invitation to go on. Crap—I've really missed out. I started feeling guilty for not jumping at the opportunity. They were talking about Celiac Disease and the Gluten Free Diet! That is my thing!! I know EVERYTHING about it! Sigh.
Just as my FOMO (fear of missing out) was at its very peak, B crawled on top of me, looked at me, smiled a big teethy smile and said "ov you." Tears filled my eyes. He had never said "love you" before despite my many efforts. This is why I said no. It all made sense.
We laughed, cuddled, played and wrestled on the couch. I turned off the TV and really soaked it all in. Why don't I do this more?! Opportunities will come and go, but THIS precious oppoortunity, I will never experience again.
When you feel the Mompreneur "pull" or when you're faced with a tough decision between work and family, listen to your intuition. I'm certain it won't let you down.
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