by Tshego Dludla, founder of RoboSTEAM Train
3 points to consider as you go for your dreams as a Mompreneur.
There was a time when becoming a mother meant that one would have to quit work and just be a mom. Yes, that is the best job in the world but even as I type that I’m rolling my eyes a little because we can’t use that to make moms feel guilty for being ambitious. Not anymore. The truth of the matter is that many moms suffer in silence on so many matters and this one is no different. Before your name was changed to mom, you had hopes and dreams so why should they die now. It took me reading a blog by Busie Sholo to help me realize that I don’t have to feel bad about still wanting to build an empire even though I am a mom of three.
So here are 3 points to ponder on as you balance motherhood and your great ambition.
1. You owe it to your children
Children don’t do as you say, they do as you do. Think of it this way - if you were to quit on your dreams and they found out about it, would they be encouraged to go for theirs? I don’t think so. Apart from building a legacy for your offspring you want to be able to tell them how to persevere, work hard and be consistent from your own experiences. That way you will be more believable.
2. You owe it to yourself
There are very few things that are as fulfilling as seeing your hard work come to life in a moment of victory. Just imagine that warm fuzzy feeling you get when you conquer potty training, immeasurable. Now imagine having that even after the children have flown the nest. Empty nest is real and you don’t start preparing for it when your last born is in matric. You start now. Work on that thing that makes you feel like a winner now, it will last longer than your toddler’s terrible twos.
3. Green is not your colour girl – It breeds resentment
While we are being the perfect mom and nothing but that, dad is busy being dad and working on his career. He gets to be fabulous all day and comes back to be the hero at home while you derive pleasure and frustration from only one source. Let’s tell the truth, the truth that no one else will say out loud from fear of judgement. The resentment is real, he goes for his dreams and you are limited to wiping messes and kissing booboos. It’s just not fair.
Don’t get me wrong, I love my children to bits and I want to keep it that way. Why can’t we do both mommy? Do best for our children and do best for ourselves. When all is said and done we don’t want to find ourselves wishing we had…right?
Tshego Dludla is the founder of The Tshala Foundation (NPO), as well as RoboSTEAM Train in South Africa. Both enterprises are making maths and science fun using robotics and coding, one catering specifically for underprivileged children. Tshego has a passion for learning and empowering young ones. Being a mom of three children herself has forced her to face the reality of what it takes to thrive as a mom and entrepreneur and she therefore started a mommy blog addressing mom guilt and how mothers can support each other along this journey in a world filled with judgement on everything moms do. Find out more by visiting the website www.robosteamtrain.co.za