CEO Mama Newsletter: 13th Edition

Hi ,

We’ve all been there.

You’re gearing up for a full day of important meetings, calls, and projects when you get the dreaded text…

“Omg, I’m SO sorry, I can’t make it today. I woke up not feeling well!”

Or maybe daycare calls to say your little one has a fever. Or your partner’s work schedule suddenly shifts. Or grandma, your backup, isn’t available today.

It’s 6:45am – your day hasn’t even started yet, but it already feels like it’s over. 

Cue the deep breath. 😮‍💨

As business owners and devoted mothers, childcare – whether it’s a nanny, daycare, preschool, a partner, or family support – is critical to our ability to build, lead, and create. It gives us the space to be fully present in our work and in our motherhood.

So when plans change, yes, it can throw us off. But this is also why we built businesses like this – to have the flexibility to adapt, shift, and still create the life we desire.

A Perspective Shift

Motherhood is full of duality. It’s holding two truths at once – like wanting uninterrupted time to focus on work and cherishing an unexpected day with your little one.

It’s wanting to clear your calendar and bake cookies and feeling energized by the creative momentum in your business.

It’s the joy of hearing your child’s laughter while also craving an hour of silence to recharge.

When childcare falls through, it’s easy to focus on the disruption. But what if this is actually a reminder of the freedom you’ve built? 

The ability to pivot, to choose what matters most, to practice grace over guilt?

And trust me mama, I’ve been there…

Last year, I literally had six months of childcare struggles. Again and again, things fell through. We went through nanny after nanny trying to find someone we could trust and rely on… but we were disappointed so often – to the point where we decided to let it all go and completely surrender. 

Instead of resisting what was happening, I leaned in. And even though it was really challenging some days, I saw it as a season to prioritize presence, to let go of non-essentials, and to trust that my business could flex around my life. 

I still showed up, still moved the needle, and focused on what only I could do… just in a way that honored what was truly important in that season.

And guess what? My business not only survived, but it actually thrived. 

I simplified, prioritized, and got into full alignment with what was really required. It turned out to be such a gift. 🙏

And that’s the power of building a truly freedom-based business. 

Permission To Reset & Reprioritize

Instead of scrambling to “do it all,” here’s how to reset and make the day work for you:

1. Reset Expectations. Not everything on your list will get done today – and that’s okay. Take a deep breath and ask yourself: What’s truly essential? Let go of the rest.

2. Communicate Clearly. Give yourself permission to be transparent: “Hi! I’m solo-parenting today and need to shift our meeting. Find a time tomorrow that works for us. Thanks for being flexible!” People will understand.

3. Reframe the Day. Instead of resisting the chaos, lean into it. This unexpected time with your child? It’s a gift. How lucky am I that I get to pick up my child from preschool when they’re sick? That I get to pivot my day? Let go of what was supposed to be and embrace what is.

4. Create a Supportive Plan B. An hour of screen time for your little one while you take a meeting? A friend or neighbor who can help for an hour? Playing quietly next to you while you send emails? It might not be ideal, but it works.

5. Find a Self-Care Moment. Even on the busiest days, carve out two minutes for yourself. Wash your face, sip a warm drink, stretch, or dance to a song you love. It makes a difference.

When childcare plans fall through, the key isn’t multitasking – it’s ruthless prioritization.

Identify the one thing that truly needs your attention today. Focus on that, and let the rest go.

🚫 Cancel the meeting.
🔄 Reschedule the call.
📅 Push the deadline.

Your business will still be here tomorrow. And today? Today is about leaning into what matters most.

I always remind myself – I’m not doing open heart surgery. Things can wait. Deadlines can be moved. People will understand. And it’s just SO true.

When the overwhelm hits, take a moment to pause and soften. Close your eyes if you can, take a deep breath in through your nose, and exhale fully through your mouth. 

Let your jaw loosen, shoulders drop, and the tension in your face melt away. Feel the weight you’ve been carrying slide off as you remind yourself: “I am allowed to soften. Softness is strength.”

Even in the busiest or overwhelming moments, this practice will help you reset and find a sense of calm amidst the chaos – even if just for a few moments. 💛

“Last week, my childcare fell through an hour before I was supposed to start work. I thought, ‘Okay, I’ve got this.’ I made a mental list of all the things I’d get done during nap time.

Except my toddler didn’t nap. Of course. 😭

By 4pm, the house was a mess, my inbox was overflowing, and I felt like I’d accomplished nothing. I sat on the couch, holding my son, and cried.

But then something shifted. He looked up, kissed my cheek, and said, ‘I love you, mama.’ 

At that moment, I realized: it wasn’t about what I didn’t do. It was about what I did. I was there. And for today, that was enough.”

– Anonymous Mama

If you’ve been craving a space where motherhood and entrepreneurship actually coexist without the burnout, I encourage you to apply for our CEO Mama Membership.

Inside CEO Mama, you’ll not only get access to the replay from our first Masterclass with Natalie + Lindsay: “How to Build a Wildly Successful Business in 20 Hours a Week”, but you’ll also be matched into a pod with other moms in similar life and business stages — because building a business while raising little ones shouldn’t feel lonely.

Connection. Support. Community. That’s what CEO Mama is all about.

Apply now and get the strategies, the sisterhood, and the clarity to scale your business without sacrificing your sanity. We can’t wait to welcome you inside!

Some days, the to-do list wins. Other days, presence wins. And , both can be a gift if we let ourselves be with what is. 

You’re doing an incredible job.

XO,
Natalie