Hey there, fellow multitasking mamas (and dads, and anyone else trying to do all the things)—let’s talk about the wild ride of running a business while raising tiny humans.

I’m Adriana, owner and designer at Bear Design Company, and also a full-time snack distributor, referee, and bedtime negotiator for three amazing little ones. Juggling client deadlines with diaper duty? Been there. Trying to answer emails while a toddler is scaling the furniture like a tiny Spider-Man? Oh yeah, that’s my daily cardio.

So, how do you keep a business running when your life is an unpredictable mix of chaos, creativity, and cuddles? Let’s get real about what works, what doesn’t, and how you can embrace both your role as a mom and a business owner without losing your sanity.

1. Accept That It Won’t Be Perfect

Let’s just get this out of the way—there is no “perfect balance.” Some days, I’m killing it at work; other days, I’m buried under laundry, and the only thing I’m designing is a peanut butter sandwich. And that’s okay.

Give yourself permission to embrace the ebb and flow. Some seasons are more business-heavy, and some are more kid-focused. Flexibility is your best friend.

2. Set Realistic Boundaries (and Actually Stick to Them)

Boundaries are tough when your office is also your home and your coworkers are small, sticky-fingered humans who don’t care about your Zoom meetings.

Here’s what helps:

• Work in chunks – Naptime, school hours, and after bedtime are prime time for deep work.
• Communicate your schedule – My kids know that when I’m at my desk, I’m “working,” but they also know they’ll get my attention when I’m done. (Well, most of the time… let’s be real.)
• Don’t overbook yourself – If you can only take on a few projects at a time, honor that. Saying no to extra work now means saying yes to your sanity.

3. Use the Right Tools to Stay Organized

Keeping track of client work, emails, and deadlines while keeping track of which kid needs to bring a snack to soccer practice? It’s a lot.

Some of my lifesaving tools:
✅ Trello – Organizes projects so I don’t forget what’s due.
✅ Google Calendar – Keeps my family and business schedules in one place.
✅ Canva & Adobe CC – My go-to design tools.
✅ A giant whiteboard – Because sometimes, you just need to see it all laid out in marker.

4. Give Yourself Grace

Not every day is productive. Some days, my to-do list gets hijacked by a sick kid, an unexpected tantrum, or a school project that my child forgot to mention until the night before (send coffee). When that happens, I remind myself—this is exactly why I built my own business.

I wanted the freedom to be present for my kids while doing work that I love. That freedom comes with challenges, but it’s also the biggest gift.

5. Find Your People

Whether it’s a group of other work-from-home moms, a supportive partner, or even just an online community that gets it—find your tribe. Running a business and raising kids can feel isolating, but you are not alone.

Final Thoughts from This Mama Bear

Running a business while raising a family isn’t easy, but it’s possible. You don’t have to choose between being an amazing mom and an amazing business owner—you’re already both. Some days are messy, but at the end of the day, you’re building something incredible, for your family and for yourself.

If you’re a fellow business-owning mama, I’d love to connect! Follow along on Instagram or check out my work at Bear Design Company. Let’s cheer each other on—because we’ve got this. 💪🐻