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Running a Business with Children: The Honest Version
Thursday 17 July 2025
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I used to think being “busy” meant back-to-back meetings. A full diary. Maybe a last-minute flight.
Now? Busy looks like negotiating a property deal in the car park of a gymnastics club, while your five-year-old cries because their snack lid won’t come off.
Running a business with kids isn’t just hard. It’s a juggling act on a tightrope… during a storm… while someone’s asking what’s for dinner.
But I wouldn’t change it.
This post isn’t about balance. It’s not about routines or colour-coded calendars (though I have them). It’s about the real stuff, the chaos, the guilt, the grit and what’s helped me keep going without losing myself or the reason I started in the first place.
Now? Busy looks like negotiating a property deal in the car park of a gymnastics club, while your five-year-old cries because their snack lid won’t come off.
Running a business with kids isn’t just hard. It’s a juggling act on a tightrope… during a storm… while someone’s asking what’s for dinner.
But I wouldn’t change it.
This post isn’t about balance. It’s not about routines or colour-coded calendars (though I have them). It’s about the real stuff, the chaos, the guilt, the grit and what’s helped me keep going without losing myself or the reason I started in the first place.
The Guilt Is Real But It’s Not the Whole Story
Let’s start with the bit we don’t like to admit…mum guilt is relentless.
It shows up when you miss a school assembly, when you're on your phone during bedtime stories, or when your child says, “You’re always working.”
But here’s the thing, the guilt doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong. It means you care. And sometimes, caring means pushing through that guilt because you're building something bigger for you and them.
I remind myself daily, I’m not choosing my business over my children. I’m choosing to build a life where we don’t have to pick one or the other.
It shows up when you miss a school assembly, when you're on your phone during bedtime stories, or when your child says, “You’re always working.”
But here’s the thing, the guilt doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong. It means you care. And sometimes, caring means pushing through that guilt because you're building something bigger for you and them.
I remind myself daily, I’m not choosing my business over my children. I’m choosing to build a life where we don’t have to pick one or the other.
What’s Helped Me Stay Sane (Most Days)
This isn’t a how-to guide. It’s what’s worked for me, shared in case it helps someone else feel less alone.
1. Stop chasing ‘balance’.Start chasing priorities.
1. Stop chasing ‘balance’.Start chasing priorities.
Balance suggests you can give 50/50. You can’t and that’s okay. I’ve learned to be where my feet are. If I’m at hockey with my daughter, I’m all in. If I’m leading a team meeting, same deal. Trying to be everything to everyone at once is the fastest way to burn out.
2. Outsource what drains you.
2. Outsource what drains you.
This goes for life and business. I don’t try to be the mum who hand-makes costumes. Amazon Prime exists. So does childcare, cleaning help, food prep, and a team I trust to run things when I can’t.
Your energy is your most limited resource. Protect it like it’s cash flow.
3. Let the kids see it.
Your energy is your most limited resource. Protect it like it’s cash flow.
3. Let the kids see it.
My children know what I do. They’ve been on site visits. They’ve helped pick tiles. They’ve sat beside me during Zoom calls. They’re learning that women can lead, decide, earn, and own and still tuck them in at night.
You can’t be what you don’t see. So let them see it.
4. Keep one part of your life sacred.
You can’t be what you don’t see. So let them see it.
4. Keep one part of your life sacred.
For me, it’s family dinner. No phones, no emails, no clients. Just food, stories, and eye contact.
Even on mad days, those 20 minutes ground me. And I think they ground the kids too.
Even on mad days, those 20 minutes ground me. And I think they ground the kids too.
There Is No “Right” Way
There are weeks I smash it. There are weeks I feel like I’ve dropped every ball. I’ve cried in the office. I’ve been late picking my kids up from school. I’ve sent the wrong WhatsApp to the school group.
But I’ve also watched my children grow up knowing their mum is chasing something meaningful. That working hard doesn’t make you less loving. And that success isn’t perfect it’s persistent.
But I’ve also watched my children grow up knowing their mum is chasing something meaningful. That working hard doesn’t make you less loving. And that success isn’t perfect it’s persistent.
If You’re In This Too…
Whether your kids are toddlers or teenagers, if you’re building a business while raising a family, I see you. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Some seasons are slower. Some are more intense. But they’re all part of the same story.
Give yourself credit.
Ask for help.
Drop the guilt.
And remember, you’re not just building a business. You’re showing your children what’s possible.
And that’s worth everything.
Give yourself credit.
Ask for help.
Drop the guilt.
And remember, you’re not just building a business. You’re showing your children what’s possible.
And that’s worth everything.
Author Eimear Gourley, NI Property Girl
Thursday 17 July 2025