Parenting is always a challenge, and juggling parenting and working is an even bigger one. Every mom since the beginning of working moms has had to find her own way to balance these two spheres of her life. But the tightrope of being a freelance content creator and a mom comes with its own types of difficulties.
After all, as a freelancer, you know that if you don’t work, you don’t get paid. There’s no safety net. Plus, you’re working from home, so there’s no way to escape the chaos by going to the office for a few hours.
Sometimes parenting is your content, which can make it extra hard to draw a line between work and parenting. On the other hand, sometimes your content is far removed from parenting and doesn’t mix well at all (food and arts creators, show me your toddler-hit projects). How do you get it all done?
We’ve gathered advice from five superb content creators who are also moms, to put together these tips for succeeding as a content creator and a parent.
1. Just Show Up
It’s all too easy to get sucked into the perfection trap. You want to wait until everything is perfect – the perfect shot, the perfect vibe, the perfect timing. It’s a classic mom mode of thinking, but it’s a mistake. You could be waiting forever for perfect to come along, and meanwhile you haven’t posted anything for a week.
This is content creator Tasha Ball’s top tip. “Stop waiting for perfect – just start,” she says in an advice piece for the Popular Pays creator marketing platform. “In the beginning, I overthought everything, worrying about having the best equipment or flawless content. But the truth is, growth comes from showing up consistently, learning as you go, and connecting with your audience through authenticity.”
She advises mom-creators to just make their content. Lean into the rawness and messiness of your life, because that’s what keeps your content real.
2. Join (or Build) a Community
Becoming a mom and working as a freelancer can both be isolating, and isolation is no good for your soul or your creativity.
Actively overcome it by reaching out to other moms in the same zone as you. They’ll serve as your people, able to support you when times get tough and help you with trouble-shooting when content emergencies arise.
New Jersey-based podcaster Francheska Stone is clear about the impact. “Here’s another total game-changer: community. Connecting with other moms who are content creators is a great way to stay motivated, swap ideas, and find support when you need it most,” she says in a recent post in her blog. “Surrounding yourself with other moms who understand the struggles of balancing content creation and life can make all the difference.”
3. Don’t Be Scared to Delegate
Moms can fall prey to the martyr impulse, but trying to do everything yourself just leads to burnout and exhaustion. It’s important to know how to delegate, and that means not just meal prep and laundry, but also elements of content creation.
Keep the parts that express your unique voice, and delegate whatever else you can.
“Outsourcing parts of your content creation process to content marketers, designers, or content creators can free up your time and ensure you deliver high-quality content on a regular basis,” says content strategist Rachel Nye. “Outsourcing allows you to focus on what you do best while ensuring your social media feeds and online content stay active and engaging.”
4. Step Back During Busy Times (but Don’t Let Go)
As a mom content creator, there are times when the mom side of things rises up and threatens to overwhelm you. We’re talking winter holidays, summer vacation, anytime that your kids are home 24/7. Sometimes you can’t keep up with your regular content creation schedule, and that’s okay.
Elna Cain, a mom of twins and a prolific blogger and course creator, gives you permission to let your output lapse temporarily, as long as you maintain the connection in other ways. “Even when publishing slows, your audience doesn’t have to suffer! If blogging weekly feels impossible this summer, swap to platforms that are easier to keep up,” she notes. “I pre-wrote and scheduled my newsletters, so readers hear from me each week, even when life gets busy.”
She recommends steps like:
- Repurposing old content for social media or email newsletters
- Sending email newsletters instead of writing new blog posts
- Scheduling Pinterest pins in advance
- Writing short social media posts instead of your usual longform
5. Set Boundaries
Content creation tends to be a WFH kind of thing. In theory, that means you can work and parent at the same time. In practice, things look a little different. You won’t “work during their nap” – instead, you won’t work.
This makes it crucial to set boundaries, both when it comes to time and when it comes to space. Schedule content creation time rather than waiting for the right moment, and carve out a dedicated workspace for your content creation business.
“When it comes to the business you’re building, having a workspace that is just yours – an almost sacred space where you can be, work and focus – is fundamental. If you’ve been working in and amongst the chaos of the house, maybe from the kitchen table or from the couch in the playroom, it can be extra hard to find focus and any kind of work/life balance,” advises Katie Kastner, a freelance blogger.
Content Creation Gig Work and Parenting Can Coexist
Being a mom and a freelance content creator can feel like you’ve got several expensive plates spinning in the air. You can’t afford to let one drop, but you’re always scared that it will happen. Thankfully, you’re not alone. These tips from other mom-creators show that it’s possible to manage the many variables without anything crashing to the ground. What’s your hot tip for freelance creator moms?
