The Single-Parent Entrepreneur

Being a single parent is always a tough job. But, for those of us who have begun an internet business, it is twice as hectic. There are demands from every side. Only proper time management and prioritizing will lighten the load to a manageable level. Now, let me take you with me through an average day.

My morning usually begins at 5:30am when the baby wakes up. She is such a sweet little 5 year old as she lifts my eyelid at this hour to say, "Daddy, I want eggs." So, I rise, splash hot coffee in my face and begin to cook. While the turkey bacon sizzles away, I take a quick peek at email from foreign clients.

It's not too long before trouble and maker, my twin 13 year old boys, show up as a unit. They grab handfuls of whatever catches their fancy, usually from the princess' plate. This gets her started, and is how the morning battle begins in earnest.

After I finally get the initial assault under control, and get them all fed, I hustle the kids to the car. The ride to school is full of the usual questions and comments. I listen, and, I drift to work. There are meetings online, and in person, today. A number of articles must be written. Illustrations are due at the publisher. Oh, here's the school.

I tell the kids to be good and have a great day and then I'm off to get those thoughts out of my head and into reality. There are projects and clients to complete and communicate with all over the world. Running a business in today's world is easy, as long as you don't need sleep. And so the day goes. Before I realize, it is time to pick up the kids at school.

The ride home is louder, and more exciting, than the morning commute. Stories of the day are interrupted by cell phone calls from clients, and prospective clients. Sometimes, to save preparation and cook time, we may stop for take out. Not exactly the healthiest choice, but, sometimes necessary.

When we arrive back at the house the kids usually throw their bags down in the hall and head for the kitchen. Tonight we didn't stop, so, the kids have volunteered to fix a huge salad while I pop online to handle a few things.

We all sit down at the dinette together for dinner. We eat, joke, laugh, and tell stories. Family time is one of my top priorities, so, I set this work-free time aside each day.

After we eat, the boys are off to do their homework and the little princess heads for her bath. I do the dishes while I record manuscript ideas and work notes on my mp3 player.

Now is the tricky time of day. With only a couple of hours until bedtime, it is family time. I join the princess and the boys for a little TV, or a quick, age appropriate movie. We kick back on the sofa together and just enjoy being us.

Finally, bedtime is here. My daughter drifts off to sleep while the boys go through their night time routines of showers, primping and music. They are on the opposite end of the house from the princess, and, my office, so, I give them a little leeway.

By 10 pm, silence has fallen over the house and there is only my mumbling, and the tapping of my keyboard to prove that there is still life. Typing, writing, email, illustrations, and any one of a million clerical items take me through the night. I look in the corner of my screen to see that it is 3am. It's way past my bedtime. So, I log off and shut it all down. I head for my bed to grab a tiny bit of sleep before my wake up call.

Is it hectic? Of course it is. Anything worth having is always challenging. So, I will wake up for my little princess again in the morning and do it all over again. The work I love, for the family that I love.