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As a woman entrepreneur, I have fallen victim to trying to prove myself to the world,
working endless hours on building my business, networking, juggling everyone’s
schedules at home, and trying to squeeze in healthy meals and exercise. This, of
course, led me right into feeling overwhelmed with guilt for not being able to show up for my kids the way I wanted to. Was all this work a short term sacrifice in order to provide them with a better life? Or was it pure madness?
In such a fast-paced world, achieving work-life balance while maintaining a healthy
parenting style can seem like an impossible feat. It was only when I found myself
burning out and hitting my rock bottom that I was able to put the focus back on what
really mattered.
It is through my turbulent experiences that I was able to establish key guidelines to
achieve the level of success I set out for myself, be the mom that I wanted to be, and
most importantly, be the mom my sons needed.
I will now share with you the 5 proven steps I wish someone shared with me when I first became a mompreneur. These steps will not only optimize your parenting but also
ensure success in every aspect of your life, allowing you to take charge of your life with
purpose and clarity.
Step 1: Getting clear on who you are at the core and what you stand for
Achieving true balance in your personal or professional life starts with you… the real,
authentic you. Life will throw you in every direction. The only way you will manage to
navigate the chaotic nature of life is making sure you have a solid navigation system.
This is achieved with establishing your Core Values. Many of us go through life
knowing what values are and which ones were passed down to us when we were little
but, it is what we do with them that matters. Our Core Values represent who we are…
at the core. They determine what we stand for and identify which boundaries we need to set.
I like to refer to core values as a rudder on a boat. You can have the nicest, strongest,
and fastest boat out on the ocean, but without a rudder, you will find yourself at the
mercy of the waves, unable to reach your destination. It is your core values that will
guide you to make the right decisions and keep you on course.
Finding your true core value as a first step may sound too easy. As I guide you through
these steps, you will realize that it is not an easy task. Many of us have forgotten what
values resonate with us, following the values that were imposed on us through our
families, cultures, communities, and religious beliefs.
What makes this step challenging is determining if the values we hold on to are actually
ours? When was the last time you reviewed your values? If I was to ask you, would
you be able to name your top 3 Core Values right off the bat? Or would you need a few
minutes to google them and think about it?
The first step to achieving a healthy work-life balance and showing up as the parent you
truly want to be starts with you identifying the core values that truly represent you. I
invite you to do a quick internet search on values and identify the top 3 that speak to
you the most. Do not think about the process too much. Do not think about the values
that you grew up with as well. Just choose the top 3 that resonate with you the most.
Your values determine your non-negotiables which leads to setting the proper
boundaries. By doing this exercise, you will quickly establish your “Hard Nos” that will
show up in every aspect of your life, including your parenting style. By being crystal
clear about what matters to you, it will become easier to know exactly how you will show up for your children, your partner, your family and friends, and your community.
Declutter outdated values and make space for what truly matters for a healthy work-life balance.
Step 2: Creating space for what matters
The next step in achieving work-life balance and optimizing your parenting is by
decluttering the outdated values you are holding on to. This might involve reassessing
things that no longer serve you or align with your true core values, including activities,
people, and old habits.
We are not taught what role values play in our lives. We are simply told which ones to
live by. Businesses review their organizational values with every strategic planning
session, every 3 to 5 years. This is done to make sure that the values still reflect the
organizations mission and vision. This is a perfect example of how values are used as a
rudder to steer the company toward their ultimate goal. So why do we not do this with
our personal life?
Decluttering your values is crucial for both your mental and emotional well-being. When
your life is not aligned with your values, you will feel unbalanced, drained, and
unproductive. Are you truly living by your values? Are they showing up in every aspect
of your life? It is time to rethink the aspects of your life that drain your energy or go
against your values.
Ask yourself, “What is really important to me and how do I want to show up in my
business and as a parent?”
Just like decluttering your home, decluttering your values will feel like things get worse
before they get better. It is however an important step in order to clear your space for
healthy parenting and a more balanced life, where you will feel in control of your
decisions, your time, and your emotional resources.
Find which aspects of your life are aligned with your values and which ones go against
it. If Respect is one of your core values, for example, but your car, your health, and
your finances are a mess, then you are not living by your values. This will show you
where the cleaning process begins.
Get to know your real child to provide the support they need for success.
Step 3: Getting clear on who your child is
While you are going through the chaotic process of decluttering your values and re-
aligning your life, you can move towards understanding who your child truly is. One of
the most important steps in optimizing your parenting is to get to know your child’s
unique learning style, personality, and challenges. Every child is unique, and
determining what makes your child tick will help you determine the kind of support they need.
Are they a visual learner or auditory learner? Do they thrive on creativity or routine?
Understanding your child’s needs will allow you to build a nurturing environment that will support their growth without overwhelming yourself in the process.
There is one way your child will show you who they truly are without you having to do
any detective work. That is through free play! Free play is the important thing to
remember here. It is only through free play that children get to be who they truly are.
Structured play imposes guidelines and restrictions that force our children to put on
masks in order to play the way they are instructed to. Through free, uninterrupted play,
these masks slip off, showing you the real version of your child.
Does your child like to play alone? Does your child like to take things apart or get into
things they are not supposed to? All these beautiful traits show you how your child
learns. This is the key step that will allow you to show up for your child the way you
have always wanted to show up.
Step 4: Setting your child up for success
Once you have unlocked the key to your child’s personality and learning style, the next
step is to identify their specific needs. What support do they require to succeed in
school, friendships, or hobbies? Will they need extra help with a particular subject?
Will they need additional emotional coaching?
By identifying these important factors early on, you will find yourself in a position where you can prioritize their development by eliminating the guesswork and without feeling stretched too thin. This clarity also supports your efforts in achieving your healthy parenting goals where both your child’s needs and your own are balanced
harmoniously.
Surrounding yourself with a supportive network can significantly ease the pressures of balancing work and family life
Step 5: Building the village that will support you
Once you have gotten clear on your values, decluttered the unnecessary baggage, and
identified the key areas where your child will need your support, your next step is to find the support system that will help you to thrive in every aspect of your life. As the old saying goes, “It takes a village to raise a child”, the final step is to build a network of
support around you. This step is all about optimizing your external environment so that it aligns with your internal goals.
Consider the support you require to succeed as a businesswomen and a mother. Do
you need flexible hours? Help with household responsibilities? Emotional support from
a mentor? Identifying these needs is critical to achieving a healthy work-life balance.
Surrounding yourself with a supportive network can significantly ease the pressures of
balancing work and family life.
Your village should include people who align with your values and can help you stay
accountable to your goals as a mother and a professional. As you get more
comfortable with integrating your values in every aspect of your life and removing the
old baggage that has been weighing you down, you will be surprised at how easier it
gets to find the people who will uplift you.
It does not end here!
The beauty of these 5 proven steps is that they are not limited to parenting and your
personal life. Once you are clear on your values, declutter unnecessary distractions,
and build a support network, you can transfer these strategies to every aspect of your
life. Whether it is in finances, business, relationships, spirituality, or personal
development, this process empowers you to live with intention and purpose.
By aligning your parenting strategies with your broader life goals, you are setting
yourself up for sustainable success, both at home and in your career. Taking the time
to reflect on your core values, understanding your child’s needs, and building your
support system allows you to build the solid foundation you need to create a life where
balance, success, and fulfillment are not only achievable but are within your control.
Meet the expert:
Danielle C Baker is the Founder and CEO of Being Connected e-Learning Inc., with over 20 years experience as a Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE), a tv and podcast host, and an author. She creates programs for children, offering inclusive resources to help every child thrive and empower parents in their decision-making. When she is not working, Danielle loves to bug her grown sons as often as possible.
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