Last year we featured a Work/Mama Balance series and we received such great feedback on this topic so we thought we would do it again. Over the next few weeks we’ll be featuring a whole lot of super mamas who balance it all.

Today we chat to Rebecca Stürmer she is the co-owner, co-creator and co-designer of the Fancypants brand of cloth nappies and other eco-friendly baby and toddler products, she is also mama to two babes; her daughter aged 7 and her son is 5. Here is how Rebecca balances it all:

What’s your work schedule?

I get up in the mornings and sort out the kids and do the school run etc.  By 8am I am back at my desk or on my way to a meeting.  I work until 12.30pm and then start the school pick-ups and take kids to their extra activities.  I plan, plan, plan and then plan some more to make sure that I can get everything I need to get done in that precious 4.5 hours everyday.

How do you handle childcare?

I do not have any family nearby, nor do I hire it in so childcare can be tough sometimes.  Luckily carefully planned playdates and the occassional aftercare service at the school allows me the flexibility that I need sometimes to work longer hours.  I also have a very supportive husband who steps in when really needed and no other options present themselves or for the occassional weekend event or if I am travelling to JNB or Durban.

When do you typically hang out with your littles?

Every afternoon in some way, shape or form.  The afternoons are also when I have to get my chores done – the usual food shopping, endless tidying up, washing clothes etc so they do have to come along to do those things.  But I make sure that I spread them out and still have time to kick a ball, visit the park for a swing or play monopoly – their current favourite 🙂 I think it is good for them to see the work that goes into running a home, business and family so that they can appreciate what I do for them…….it is painful sometimes, it would be so much easier to do the food shopping without them.

Do you have any family rituals?

Yes, over the years we have created a few.  One of my favourites and I know the kids love it too……is always have cuddles in bed before we get up and start the day.  It may be 6am and it may be quick but before my mind starts racing to my ‘to do list’ and going over the ‘logistics’ for the day we always take time to cuddle and say ‘I love you’.  Pancakes every Saturday morning without fail is also another one 🙂

What do you enjoy most about your current set up?

I get to work in a flexible way.  My business partner and I have always said our families come first but Fancypants has grown so much it does require a team of people to run.  Employing and empowering other people to help in our business has meant that I can work in the mornings and spend the afternoons with my 2 beautiful children who have been with me at every stage of this entrepreneurial journey.  Their bums have tried and tested all our products!

What’s the biggest challenge about your current set up?

Time management – it is always hard to manage your time between work and family.  ‘Mummy guilt’ is ever present but you need to find a system / routine that works for you.  There are always emails, phone calls and things that need your attention however, I have trained myself to only ‘work’ in the mornings.  In the first few years I found myself working long hours at night after the kiddos had been put to sleep, but over time this became exhausting and wasn’t how I had envisioned my entrepreneurial life.  Now, my kids are at school and I have 4.5 hours each day to attend to the ‘biz’.  I have learnt that if you set goals, prioritise tasks and then train yourself to work efficiently – don’t let FB, phones and other things distract you – you can be much more productive with less time.  It is a discipline and nobody’s perfect but by doing so, I get to spend more time with my kids while still running a successful business.  I have a paper diary (I know totally old fashioned) and each day I have already put in tasks that need to get done.  When something new comes up I slot it into a particular morning but only if I can realistically get it done.  If not, then I move it to the next day and so on.  That way, I always complete my daily task list, which feels good, and I am allotting time to important tasks in a manageable time frame so there are no last minute hustles or working til midnight to get something done as everything is planned in.

‘Switching off’ is another big challenge for me. When you work for yourself you never really stop thinking about your business – but you have to try.  Everyone needs a break and when I get down on the floor and play a game with my kids I want to be ‘100% present’, not there physically but mentally somewhere else.  It is a discipline and a challenge but one which I continually have to overcome.

What about time for yourself? Do you take timeouts? What do you get up to and how often?

Absolutely, if I don’t look after myself (physically and emotionally) I can’t do the best job of looking after my family and growing the business.  I do sometimes take time out of my morning schedule to get my hair cut, sit and have a coffee on the stoep, call a friend.  It just requires planning.  And on those days when you just can’t handle another complaint or tantrum or crappy email I just take a deep breathe, go to my happy place for 10 minutes (usually sit outside or read a home magazine because I love those).  The peace is usually restored and I can head back out into the world refreshed and calm.  This happens at least once a week.  I also ‘try’ and exercise; it really is amazing how it clears your mind.  I often solve problems or draft email responses in my head whilst jogging.

Let’s talk about dinner – who handles dinner in your home?

I must be completely honest, it is my husband.  He loves to cook and does such a good job that I usually just let him roll with it.  I can cook, I just don’t do it very often…..there you go, it is out, I have confessed. I do however, play an important role in the kitchen – I am his 2IC and get all the good jobs like cleaning and washing up.  Small price to pay for his amazing meals.

Top tip for the work/motherhood balance?

Spend time at the end of each day/week planning the next (whether it is for work, kids, holidays – whatever it is).  It just helps to free your mind so that you don’t wake up in the night with lists and worries running through your head.  I also find a nice glass or two of red wine when the kids are tucked up in bed helps a lot.