The Glass and Rubber Balls: How I Balance Motherhood + Entrepreneurship Without Losing Myself

There’s a story my therapist once told me that I come back to over and over again: life is like juggling balls. Some are glass, some are rubber. The trick? Knowing which ones can bounce and which ones will shatter.

When you’re a mom and an entrepreneur, you’re juggling a lot of balls. Your child’s needs. Client deadlines. The ever-growing laundry pile. That dental appointment you keep forgetting to reschedule. Your own physical and mental health. The unread emails. The website updates. And somewhere between the meetings, meal preps, and meltdowns—your joy.

And here’s the truth: you’re going to drop some. That’s not a failure. That’s life. The key is learning which ones can bounce... and which can’t afford to hit the floor.

Rewriting Balance: It's Not About Doing It All

I used to chase the Pinterest version of balance. The kind where everything is perfectly color-coded, dinner is on the table by 6, and your inbox is at zero. But over time, I realized that kind of perfection doesn’t just lead to burnout—it is burnout.

Balance isn’t about keeping all the balls in the air. It’s about choosing which ball matters most in this moment. It’s about presence, not perfection.

There are mornings when I delay work because my toddler needs a slower start, extra cuddles, or time to melt down in peace. And there are afternoons when he gets another episode of Bluey so I can crush a pitch call. Neither of those choices makes me a bad mom or a bad entrepreneur. They make me human—and strategic.

In fact, studies show that women, especially mothers, are held to impossible societal standards of “having it all.” According to a 2023 Pew Research Center report, 51% of working moms feel judged for how they manage both roles. And over 70% report that they frequently feel burned out trying to juggle it all.

But trying to be everything to everyone is a recipe for chronic anxiety and resentment. I’ve learned to let some balls bounce—because my peace and presence are worth more than perfection.

The Psychology of Being Present (Even When You’re Busy)

Here’s a stat that hit me in the gut: a Harvard study found that people spend 47% of their waking hours thinking about something other than what they’re doing. That’s nearly half our lives spent distracted. Add motherhood and entrepreneurship into the mix, and it’s no wonder we’re stretched thin.

But distraction has consequences. Research in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry found that parental distraction—especially via smartphones—can negatively impact a child’s emotional regulation and sense of connection.

That data reframed everything for me. Being physically there isn’t enough. It’s the quality of presence that counts.

So I set firm “no work” blocks—especially between 3:30 and 7:30 when I pick my son up from preschool until bedtime. Unless it’s urgent, the laptop stays shut. And guess what? My business doesn’t crumble. My clients respect boundaries. And my son? He gets a mom who’s not just there—but with him.

From Perfectionist to Present: A Personal Shift

I used to be a textbook perfectionist. Straight-A student. Career overachiever. Every ball in the air, all the time. But perfectionism is just fear in disguise—fear of failure, judgment, or not being “enough.”

Since becoming a mom, I’ve been on a mission to become a recovering perfectionist. It’s uncomfortable, but it’s also liberating. Studies show that perfectionism is strongly linked to anxiety, depression, and burnout—especially for women. And yet, when we embrace “good enough,” we gain so much more: energy, presence, joy.

Letting go of perfectionism has helped me be a better entrepreneur and a more emotionally available mother. And honestly? It’s helped me like myself more, too.

Small Shifts That Help Me Stay Grounded

If you’re deep in the chaos, trying to “balance it all,” here are a few rituals that help me stay centered without losing my mind:

Time-block for presence. I build in phone-free, work-free windows—especially during pickup and bedtime. That clarity removes the guilt and creates peace.

Create grounding rituals. Morning walks, dancing in the kitchen, lighting a candle before logging off—these small moments act as energetic transitions between mom mode and CEO mode.

Use the glass/rubber ball mantra. Every morning, I ask: What’s the one ball I can’t drop today? That’s my North Star. The rest? Grace and flexibility.

The Freedom I Chose

Entrepreneurship wasn’t just about being my own boss—it was about creating a life with room for both ambition and motherhood. I didn’t want to choose between the two. I wanted both. And I’ve built a life where that’s possible.

Is it always pretty? Nope. But it’s full of intention. Of values-aligned decisions. Of messy grace and honest joy.

Because I’m not just raising a child—I’m modeling what it looks like to chase purpose. I’m building a legacy of love, strength, creativity, and resilience. One that shows my son what it looks like to dream and be there for bedtime stories.

And I’ll keep juggling, imperfectly—but with heart.