Every morning, I wake up before the sun, not because I’m an overachiever but because it’s the only quiet 'me' time I’ll get all day.
I head to the gym before the kids wake up, then use extra space to prepare for my day ahead. This may be journalling, having a meeting with my coach or simply reading with a hot cup of green tea. Never chores. This is my time before my duo awakes.
From there, it's a shift into my other roles. I’m a single parent to one child full-time, and every second week, I’m also a parent to another. My life runs in two rhythms: the everyday hum of one-on-one parenting and the joyful uptick when both kids are home. Either way, I’m the number one go-to for everything: scraped knees, school projects, middle-of-the-night fevers and those hard conversations.
And in between? I run a business, help manage another, work part-time and write for the newspaper.
The truth is, neither role ever “pauses” for the other. Business doesn’t slow down because someone is sick. My child doesn’t stop needing me because I have a looming deadline. I’ve taken client calls while folding laundry and sent proposals from the front seat of my car during school pick up.
But I’ve also learned something essential: just like it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a village to sustain a business — and my village doesn’t look like a neat little community.
It’s friends who do drop-offs and pickups when my calendar explodes. It’s clients who understand if a meeting needs to shift because someone is ill or got hurt at school. It's also a boss who gives flexibility when life throws a curveball. Asking for help isn’t a weakness. It’s a strategy for survival.
Over time, I’ve developed a few simple habits that make this juggling act work and these strategies might help other single parents trying to do the same:
1. Protect “kid time” like it’s a board meeting.
Dinners and bedtimes are blocked off. Once the kids are up on weekends, business work comes to a halt. If it’s on the calendar, it’s not up for negotiation. In those moments, I’m not a business owner — I’m not managing issues outside my home. I’m just Mom.
2. Build your “village” intentionally.
You don’t need dozens of people. Just a few you can call on for swaps, school runs, or last-minute help. My small circle of friends allows my kids to get to know them better for those times when I'm out of town for work and they may need to stay overnight. Always offer help back when you can.
3. Batch your business work.
Group similar tasks together so you're not constantly switching between “parent brain” and “business brain.” Early mornings can look like deep work time, afternoons for calls, and evenings for family.
4. Learn to say no without apology.
If a commitment steals time from your kids or your core business, it’s OK to pass. Boundaries are a form of self-respect. Don't overbook yourself in an effort to serve a client before serving your family first.
5. Keep a “Plan B” ready.
Unexpected sick days, school closures or client emergencies will happen. A short list of backup caregivers, quiet activities for kids and flexible work options can save your sanity. I block Fridays. If a day earlier in the week completely turns sideways, I have Friday as my back-up plan for clients and hold space for extra work.
It’s not always smooth and problem-free. There are nights I fall into bed exhausted, but most days it's feeling tired in the best way. The kind of tired that comes from building something you believe in while being present for the people you love. When my child curls up beside me at night, or my in-box pings with a thank-you from a client, I realize this is the life I’ve intentionally built and the life that provides so much more for myself and my kids than an income.
It’s a life held together by determination, my love for my children and a village of people who make it possible to raise both a family and a dream.