Stumompreneurs Unite Part 1

Stumompreneurs (student, mother, entrepreneurs) are individuals who attend higher education institutions, run businesses, and raise a child or children simultaneously! We are a group of active and highly motivated individuals! As a stumompreneur time management is of the utmost importance (I know because I still struggle with it!!). We have to multitask and be able to do at least 3 things at once, but how can we manage to do all this highly important, life altering, necessary... STUFF! We must PRIORITIZE!

MOM: Our first priority is to family: our children, our spouses, and ourselves! Individuals outside of your household are not included into this category for consideration. Set a schedule. I know, it is so cliche and darn near impossible, but it will save you a lot of time and tension! I have a three-year-old son and a four-year-old niece. They are both currently home-schooled, so scheduling is of the essence! Be consistent with your schedule. Know what activities are coming up and make them a regular part of your week/month so that your schedule is not derailed. This includes Barnes & Noble story time, library outings, days at the park/zoo/gardens, whatever you want to do with your children.

Do not neglect spending quality time with your husband/wife!! This is not just about sex, although in marriage this area should not be left unattended without cause. Do things with your spouse: talk to each other with everything turned off, hold hands, kiss, do things that remind you why you fell in love with each other (especially if that includes watching anime and playing Sonic on Sega Genesis!!). Set a schedule for this. Scheduling does not make you a bad mother/wife! It makes you a superhero!

Spend time with your entire family as well. Children need to see mom and dad interacting happily with love and care! Again, turn off the world and enjoy each other. Most importantly, DO NOT NEGLECT YOURSELF! Self-care is the only way to stay sane and keep moving! Soak in the tub while your husband watches the kids, read a book, paint your nails, eat snacks ALONE, exercise, play music and dance around (my favorite), do absolutely nothing while the house is quiet at nap time, and most importantly CLEANING UP DOES NOT COUNT AS SELF-CARE! Do something exclusively for you!

Friends and other relatives are very important, but not more important than your family. After all, they are the reason you have this title and chose to do the work that you do. Stay tuned for part 2 where discuss our titles of student and entrepreneur.