Finding the Balance: The 9 to 5 Mompreneur

I'll cut straight to the chase. For the last year and a half, I've been "at home" with my daughter. Starting Monday, I will re-enter the workforce/my career field as a full time nine-to-fiver, just as I was once upon a time before my daughter was born. This would seem like a challenging yet quite normal transition to most people considering plenty of moms take a year off after giving birth to care for their little ones before running back to work and having to place their babies in daycare so soon.

But my circumstance presents a unique set of challenges as I've muddled over how on earth I will balance it all.. "IT ALL" being the full-time job which includes a commute to the city (Atlanta traffic...yea), managing my freelance clients as a social media content developer, continuing to build my brand and run my business which is Phresh Wishes, continue to support my husband's business as pretty much his part-time assistant, care for and nurture our children (a teenager and an 18-month old), cook, clean, stay committed to my workouts, nourish myself spiritually with church attendance (which I love)... not to mention time for siblings, friends, parents, showering, brushing my teeth and maybe sliding a brush through my hair. (WHEW child, pray for me!)

You might be thinking, "If you have two businesses and your husband has one, why are you going back to work?" To be quite honest, because I'm doing what's best for my family FINANCIALLY. My businesses are both new and don't add up to half of what I make in my career, you know, the one I went to college for 6 years for. And yes, my husband makes good money but subtracting an entire annual income with full benefits from a household is NO JOKE! And any entrepreneur will tell you that the bigger your business, the bigger your expenses and the more clients LOVE TO THINK they can pay you whenever they feel like it. To relieve my husband of some of the strain, I've decided it's time to put my big-girl panties on and collect the coins needed for smooth sailing for the time being. And that time being may be 6 months, a year... it may be 5 years. But it's a necessary battle until my businesses take off the ground.

The last year has been rougher than a country person's crusty heels to say the least. I recall the moment I called my boss to let him know I would be submitting my resignation, 3 month-old in arm, heart-racing and armpits sweating. As the words "I won't be coming back..." fell out of my mouth I began crying. I cried not because I was sad, but because I was terrified and had absolutely no idea where I was going next. All I knew is that I had a little savings and a baby who I was NOT ready to throw into a public daycare during the worst flu season our country had ever seen. (My heart screams and goes out to those who have absolutely no choice). I'll save how disgusting our country's maternity leave culture is for another post.

Thankfully I had so much support from close friends, my big sister and of course God. He provided time and time again, but that's not to say the road was bump-free. We got hit from so many different angles I could practically see the enemy ninja kicking me in the throat just when I thought I could crawl back up for air - Denied insurance coverage, hit with thousands and thousands of dollars in unexpected bills, my husband lost substantial business and my tenants became so delinquent we were covering two mortgages and court fees for an eviction (Oh yea, I forgot to mention I'm a landlord too)! All of this as I'm adjusting to being a new mommy and trying to remain faithful through the crazy little decision I had made to leave my steady, every two-week paycheck with not a plan B in sight.

I'd basically spent the last 15 months worrying over our future and stability constantly and it completely diminished the experience of being with my baby which is what I was ultimately fighting for. There was this heavy, dark cloud looming over my head day-in and day-out that would never allow me to be fully present or immersed in what should have been some of the most beautiful moments. And the adjustment put a toll on our marriage.

But God IS FAITHFUL. Towards the end of last year my husband and I were both presented with amazing opportunities and a window for so much growth. But the transition is still an uphill battle as we haven't hit the mark of financial gain needed to achieve our goals - paying things off, sending our daughter to GOOD childcare, investing back into our businesses as needed so we can fulfill our purpose thoroughly.

Getting back into my career after being gone from the office scene will be an adjustment, I know. I have gotten USED to not hating Mondays, creating my own routine and schedule and working on my time while fully focusing on our kids and the hussle. But I'll be doing something I love in an industry I love more (higher education) while supporting my family. Yes, I LOVE my businesses more, but I HATE these REAL BILLS, this tight budget and constantly having to overthink the next move.

But I am intent on growing as an an entrepreneur through this career move, so successfully that I will be able to share my gift full-time with full coins! I want to Diddy-Bop in true spirit! I have a long-term goal and vision for my family which includes living beyond working until we're 65 to retire for a crumby check each month. And these are the sacrifices that must be made now in order to mold a brighter future. I'm not trying to be Bengayed and decrepit before I can chill at home or stop reporting to someone. That ain't the will of God man.

It will take plenty of late nights, working weekends, prayer and dramatic vent sessions to my girlfriends, but I believe I'm equipped to find that balance. I'm no longer afraid, I know whatever His plan is will be carried through. I'm trusting Him fully as I take on this new journey. His grace is sufficient to trump my self-effort and execute in the best way.

That doesn't mean I wouldn't like your thoughts and prayers.lol.

If you've ever balanced a full time job or a major career move as a mom or mompreneur I REALLY want to hear from you!! Drop a comment, DM me on IG or email me at info@phreshwishes.com. Let's support each other through the crazy life events women have to swerve daily! I can't wait to update you guys on how things fall into place. I'm going to put forth my best effort topped with Jesus swag, but I am not in control. He is.

-xo,

Farren (@phreshwishes)