Time Management

[BowsandThreadsBtq]

Just posted this is the forums, and thought everyone could definitely give me some good advice.

How do you manage your business and care for your kids?
I have a 6 month old DD who just started crawling and a 2.5 year old DD. I love what I do and decided to open an Etsy shop to help support our family. I knew it would be tough trying to juggle everything, and I'm wondering what others do to make sure you have enough time to work on your craft.
Currently my routine is that I try to work on the house while both are sleep in the morning. During the younger one's morning nap I try to work on some new items. The majority of the day is then spent keeping them busy and cleaning up. Then, in the evening when my husband gets home I work on my shop again- at least until I'm needed again.
It's tough trying to manage everything, but I'm so grateful I get to stay home and take care of my little ones. How do you moms manage it?

[Former_Member]

I don't really have a good plan to be honest. I do what I can when I can. I'm a stay at home mom to a 2.5 year old. I'm blessed with his long naps but that's also when I clean, cook, etc. I wish I had more dedicated etsy time.

[littledutchacres]

Same here. No real schedule. I just craft when I can. I have a 4 year old, 2 year old, and 4 month old. They keep me busy so when they are all napping I clean and craft. They are very good boys so I can often sew or crochet when they are all awake but I am a mother and wife first. I just try to fit it in when I can.

[ShopIngrainedGoods]

When I first opened the shop it was a hobby so I didn't need to really have a schedule, due to an unfortunate series of events I either needed to go back to work or have my shop get consistent sales. It took me really blocking 4 to 6 hours a day to get the volume we needed.

I answer emails from 6:00 am to 7:30 am before my little guy wakes up, then from 12 to 2:30 I work in the garage during nap. From 7:30 to 10:30 PM it's back to work. My husband takes our son to the zoo or park for a few hours on Saturday afternoons if I need to get caught up. I am trying Mother's Day Out starting in a few weeks, which will only be on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 to 2:30. I am hoping this way I can have a few Saturdays off.

I will say once I dedicated more time our sales did increase. If I didn't have orders I would devote that time to making new products, I would research Search Engine Optimization. So once the orders came in I was already in a routine. It took my husband really buying into the idea that this was my job. My family is also supportive and will stop by to help if we get a large order.

[Former_Member]

Great thread. This is my biggest challenge! And then when someone (or me last week) gets sick that throws everything off. I think Ashley has it right when you dedicate lots of time you can see more results. Its so hard though! I have been listening to podcasts by Chalene Johnson, you should check her out. Great business advice, its called build your tribe. xo