Parenting is often called the toughest job, and starting a business is frequently described as one of the most challenging things you can do.

With 85% of founders reporting high stress, combining both roles — as I did by launching Wokelo AI just months before my daughter was born — might sound like a recipe for burnout.

But after managing sleepless nights with baby feeds and early morning investor calls, I can tell you that it’s possible to balance building a business and raising a family. Parenthood has taught me patience, resilience, and trust — qualities that have made me a better leader and eased my startup’s growth journey.

Balancing Multiple Responsibilities
As an entrepreneur, your startup is often your baby. But when you have a newborn, you quickly realize that your baby doesn’t care about your meetings, deadlines, or clients. They depend on you for their care and well-being, making midnight feeds and diaper changes just as important as investor meetings and product launches.

This is the ultimate test of your multitasking skills. As an early-stage founder, you already juggle multiple roles — CEO, marketer, HR, finance — and now you have the added responsibility of being a parent.

Though it’s challenging, managing multiple responsibilities is crucial to growing a startup. Your ability to push through a full schedule and sleepless nights demonstrates passion, motivation, and commitment — qualities that 54% of venture capitalists deem essential for success.

Patience is Key
I thought I understood patience — until I became a parent. There’s nothing quite like the experience of a 3 a.m. wake-up call from a crying baby, especially when you have an important meeting the next day.

Running a business isn’t much different. Just when you think things are under control, a crisis strikes, often at the worst possible time. When something goes wrong, you can bet it’ll happen late on a Friday, when half your team is already out for the weekend.

There will be days when exhaustion makes you question your ability to keep going. But whether raising a child or running a startup, success comes from perseverance, not perfection. The sleepless nights and setbacks are simply part of the journey. Patience and consistency will eventually lead to success.

Celebrate Small Wins
When you’re focused on a big goal, it’s easy to overlook the small victories along the way. But my daughter helped me appreciate these moments — her first laugh, the first time she grabbed my finger, and the first time she slept through the night. Likewise, in business, milestones like your first sale, first hire, or first positive review matter.

Each small win brings you closer to your larger goal and serves as evidence that you’re making progress. Celebrating these victories is important, as momentum is a powerful force. Studies show that a positive team is not only happier but also more productive and profitable.

Remember, 90% of startups never make it past the challenges you’ve already overcome. So reaching the early stages is an accomplishment in itself.

Take Time for Yourself
Startup founders are known for pushing themselves to the limit, often at the cost of their personal lives. In fact, 71% admit to sacrificing their personal well-being for work. But when you add parenting into the mix, rest becomes essential.

You can’t perform at your best if you’re running on empty. No matter how much caffeine you consume, burnout will catch up with you if you don’t take care of yourself.

That’s why building a strong support network is so important. Whether it’s a co-parent who handles the night shift while you rest or a co-founder who steps up when personal matters arise, having support is key.

Learning to delegate, ask for help, and trust others isn’t a weakness; it’s a necessity — both at home and at work.