People always ask how I manage to build a business while raising teenagers. Like I really know how I do it. As if balancing a company and guiding kids aged seventeen to twenty through the messies and always dramatic, and occasionally hilarious years of their lives is some kind of superpower. Truth is, it’s not magic. It’s just pure, everyday survival, sprinkled with too much coffee and a refusal to quit even when my brain is screaming for a nap. And yes after these weeks it totally is.
The teenage negotiation academy
You’d think having older kids would make things easier. That's a flagrant lie. No one’s throwing tantrums because their sandwich wasn’t cut into perfect triangles. That part is true. But what you get instead is a new level of drama. The kind where you’re deep in a work call, pitching your ideas with all the confidence you can fake, and your phone starts vibrating with texts like: Mom, can you transfer me some money?, like right now or the classic: why is there never anything good to eat?
The fridge is always full here, by the way. They just can’t see anything that doesn’t come with fries
And then there are the negotiations. Oh, the negotiations. If I can sell the idea that cleaning their rooms will make them more successful human beings, I can absolutely sell a high-ticket marketing strategy to a skeptical client. Teenagers have taught me how to be a master of persuasion. Like when my son actually tried to convince me that his bedroom wasn’t messy, it was just organized chaos. And you know what? That line almost worked. Almost, because in the years he grew up, I understand the persuasion a little better now
Embracing the mess
Here’s the thing. Being a mom and an entrepreneur is all about adapting all the time, because nothing ever goes according to plan. Ever. Like that one time I was giving a presentation to a potential client, trying my best to look like I had everything under control, and my son barges in, full panic mode, because he can’t find his lucky hoodie. You know, the only one that’s acceptable for his date in an hour. As if the entire universe might implode if he wears something that isn’t black and slightly wrinkled, or it might still be in the laundry that didn't get downstairs by itself.
Or that Sunday when I told myself I would catch up on work and instead ended up helping my daughter prepare for her English interview. Except we somehow ended up making TikToks, laughing over ridiculous videos, and eating nachos on the couch like we had nothing better to do. And maybe I didn’t get much done that day, but I wouldn’t trade that time for anything
The lines between business mode and mom mode blur all the time. Like when I’m brainstorming business ideas in the kitchen while burning pancakes because I got too caught up in the thought of how to make a campaign go viral. Or when I’m writing emails and I suddenly have to stop to play marriage referee because apparently, I used my husband’s mug and the world needs to know about it. He loves that mug, because I made it of course.
Turning parenting skills into business strengths
Motherhood has forced me to stay on my toes, to pivot when plans fall apart, and to find creative solutions when life decides to throw everything on your path. And it’s made me better at what I do. I’ve become an absolute pro at managing time, letting go of what doesn’t matter, and turning chaos into something that actually works
It’s those random moments of having deep conversations with my kids about their dreams and frustrations that inspire me in my business. Because if I can help them navigate their lives, what’s stopping me from doing the same with my clients? Nothing actually, that stuff I implement directly.
Marriage and the balancing act
Now let’s talk about marriage. Because if raising teenagers and building a business isn’t enough, throwing marriage into the mix is like adding hot sauce to an already fiery plate. It’s unpredictable and occasionally burns your tongue, but somehow it works.
Like the time I was in full work mode, headphones on, furiously typing away, and my husband casually reminds me we have dinner plans with friends. In thirty minutes. And I’m still wearing sweatpants that should have been washed two days ago. Finding balance between being a wife, a mom, and an entrepreneur feels like juggling with one hand while folding laundry with the other. And someone’s always shouting from another room, where’s my charger?
The secret to making it work
Here’s the truth. It’s never about perfect balance. It’s about letting the mess be part of the process. It’s about embracing the chaos and turning it into something meaningful. Some days I crush it at work and feel like I can conquer the world. Other days, I’m just trying to survive on cold coffee and the hope that I didn’t just send an email with a typo in the subject line.
But every piece of this life, the noisy, unpredictable, beautiful mess of it, is worth it. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Monday Lisa.😂😂😂😂
This one called my name 😂
Teenagers are just like humans. They just aren't totally developped yet 😂
But you get so much in return 🤣
They are the best, really. I love that age ❤️😂
Almost humans... just almost... 😂
That's one of the cool things about operating in widely disparate domain, it makes us more adaptable, flexible, and versatile human beings, and it also creates a synergy between domains, as you mentioned. I juggle a lot, but you and Bjorn blow me out of the water in that regard! 😁 🙏 💚 ✨ 🤙
!DIY
!HOPE
!INDEED
!STRIDE
You can query your personal balance by
@tydynrain just sent you a DIY token as a little appreciation for your post dear @nathalie-s! Feel free to multiply it by sending someone else !DIY in a comment :) You can do that x times a day depending on your balance so:!DIYSTATSHahahaha... I had a good laugh reading your post, but probably because I identified myself between those lines. 😂 If I understood well, you have at least 2 beautiful teenaliens at home, which makes it double fun! 😄 I have only one, and luckily, he is slowly getting out of those great years (for them 😃)... Congratulations on survival!
Soon... and you will be okay... 😃
hahahaha... And then he says: "No hurry... I'm 3rd in a row at the till and with 0 EUR on the card... take your time..." 🤣 That LITERALLY HAPPENED a few weeks ago! 😂
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The roles of mother and entrepreneur are complex to navigate. But little by little, I'm sure success will come as long as you smile every step of the way.
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STOPYou are really a good, caring mother because you are using your parenting skills to diversify your options into becoming a bread earner as well.
Thank you very much