​If you're a stay-at-home mom, starting a business from your home is a savvy move. You can still care for your kids and spend quality time with them while also earning some extra money for the household. That said, starting a business of your own requires strategic planning if you want it to be a success. This guide from Love In Motion Doula Services provides some practical pointers for stay-at-home moms who are considering becoming entrepreneurs.

​Not all business models are suitable for stay-at-home moms. For example, you don't want to do something like dog walking or driving for a rideshare service since you have to be home to take care of the kids. Don't worry. There are many mom-friendly business options available. Woman’s Day notes that options include working as a virtual assistant, proofreading, writing, and flipping used goods like furniture for profit.

​Once you've decided what type of business you want to start, write out a business plan. This document describes your products and services, and details how your business will be run. Finder explains how to write a business plan that covers all the essential sections, like the market analysis, marketing and sales strategy, and financial projections. This document will serve as your guidebook as you get your business off the ground.

It's smart to register your business as a formal legal entity with your state. This could be a sole proprietorship, limited liability company, or partnership. Registering your business as a formal legal entity offers many advantages, from simplifying your tax filing to protecting your personal liability in case your business gets into legal troubles. 

Depending on the type of business you want to start, you may need additional credentials. More generally, getting a degree like an MBA can help sharpen your business acumen, giving you the knowledge you need to succeed. Look for online programs in topics such as leadership, marketing, and management. With an online degree, you can study when and where you want, getting the flexibility you need as a working mother.

When you're running a business out of your home, it's tempting to simply set up your laptop at the kitchen table or on the living room couch. However, it's important to create a distinct space for your work. This will make it easier to focus and avoid distractions. Small Business Co provides tips for creating a focus-friendly workplace at home. For instance, you want to ensure your workspace has plenty of light and that you have ergonomic furniture.

Marketing is essential to attracting customers. Great marketing starts with a strong brand, which will help you stand out from the competition. Your brand also includes your visual identity, such as your logo. You don't have to pay a fancy graphic designer for your logo. Instead, you can use a free online logo maker to create an appealing design yourself. You can personalize details like the text, icon, fonts, and colors.
 
Creating memes to share on social media is another strategy that will graphically convey your company’s personality, and do so in a fun and entertaining way. You can try a meme generator app to create memes that are relatable or inspirational that’s sure to get customers to interact with your brand. Just make sure you make the content relevant to your business and keep it in good taste – the last thing you want is to turn people away.

When you're starting a new business, it can be easy to get caught up in the process. When you're juggling entrepreneurship plus kids, this can leave little time for yourself. Make sure you're maintaining work-life balance by expanding your support network.
 
You may also want to look into finding a babysitter, too. Even if you don’t use them full time, having a few hours each day can make a big difference in the amount of work you can get done. Or you may even be able to carve out a little time for yourself.
 
Starting a business is a major undertaking—especially if you've got kids to care for, too. That said, entrepreneurship can be a great way for moms to balance child care with work, all while making some extra money. The above guide details the steps you need to get started.
 
Love In Motion Doula Services makes positive birth and postpartum experiences an outstanding normal for all. Connect with us today to learn more! 720-593-0014

When you become pregnant, your lifestyle changes, or at least should. Here is a helpful article written by Rebecca Wilde at the Birth Injury Center. Many injuries can be avoided by following some simple lifestyle shifts to ensure a health delivery, mother and baby throughout postpartum.
birthinjurycenter.org/what-to-avoid-while-pregnant

There are many other jewels of information on this website as well. Please go check it out!

Article written by Janice Russell
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There’s nothing easy about launching a business when you’re already busy welcoming a new baby into the world. But life has a funny way of throwing everything at us all at once. In many ways, nurturing a new business is a lot like tending to the needs of a newborn. Entrepreneurs and parents both need resilience, a strong work ethic, and plenty of love. The hard part is figuring out how to balance your mental resources between the two!
 
Here are some great tools, resources, and strategies from Love In Motion Doula Services to help ease your transition into parenthood while you prepare for the launch of your new business.

Online tools can make your life a lot easier in the coming months and years. This can start with virtual doula consultations with Liz Foster CD(DONA), HCHD of Love In Motion Doula Services. You’ll be able to meet with Liz via video chat to discuss birth and postpartum plans, and discover ways to reduce stress and any fear that you and your partner may have leading up to the delivery date.
 
On the business side, by automating repetitive tasks and leveraging digital tools to tackle one-off projects, you’ll be able to carve out more time for your little one once they’re home. You can find online tools to help with almost any business task under the sun. For example, a cloud-based invoicing system allows you to easily maintain your records while interacting quickly and efficiently with your customers. 

Innovative technology can also come in handy for working parents. When you’ve got your hands full with work and newborn responsibilities, Mysa notes that hands-free smart assistants will make your life much easier! Smart voice assistants like Alexa and Siri can help you stay on schedule and avoid forgetting important appointments. Adding smart lighting, heating, and security to your voice assistant system will give you even more control over your busy life.

Routines generally help us stay grounded when life feels out of control. Create a simple schedule that works for you and your baby, so you know what to expect throughout the day. This can minimize the number of decisions you need to make and free up some of your mental bandwidth for business-related tasks.
 
To keep everything running smoothly, try to build your daily schedule around your baby’s routine. While babies may not follow a strict schedule, You should notice some kind of loose routine governing when your baby tends to require sleep, food, and play. The Bump explains that babies start falling into routines around 3 months of age. Until then, you’ll just have to go with the flow!

Combining your home office with a playroom is a great way to keep your little one close and get work done at the same time. Choose a safe baby playpen and set it up next to your desk. When your baby starts crawling, this will give them more space to move around and play while you work next to them. A pen will ensure your little one won’t wander off or get into trouble in your office while you're concentrating at your desk. Be sure to also babyproof your home office properly!
 
When you’re rearranging rooms, you may need to temporarily store items to free up space. This, too, is made easy when you use offsite storage. You can find affordable storage units in Denver by Googling facilities throughout the area. With more than 200 locations in and around the city, you’re bound to find a unit that’s nearby.
 
Launching a business while welcoming a newborn is bound to be challenging. It might take some time to settle into your new roles and find the best routines that work for you and your baby. With a little help from innovative tools and a smart schedule, you can manage parenting and running a new business at the same time.
 
Love In Motion Doula Services believes that the keys to a joyful birthing experience are safety, security, support, preparation and a calm mindset, all planned in advance, to be by your side for anything that should arise. Contact us today to learn more! 720-593-0014

Every pregnancy is specific, but all first-time moms-to-be out there share one thing - they overthink! And how not, you might ask, when our bodies and lives are soon about to change like never before? You already know that all fears and anxieties come from a lack of experience, which is easily solved. How? With some kind pieces of advice, cordial and professional support, and one detailed pregnancy checklist.

It is much easier to track fetal development if the pregnancy is divided into three stages. It's also because each stage is marked by characteristic developments in the fetus and a woman's body. Hence, each group of changes corresponds to a trimester.
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• First Trimester (0 to 13 Weeks)
• Second Trimester (14 to 26 Weeks)
• Third Trimester (27 to 40 Weeks)

At the end of the third trimester, at 36+ weeks, a pregnancy is considered full-term. It means that babies born before week 36 are considered premature and may need to spend additional time in an incubator to grow and fully develop.

A pregnancy checklist is designed to help a future mom find herself in the coordinate system of pregnancy and help her focus on tasks vital for her and the baby.

Also, it is paramount to note that a checklist is only a reminder, and it should be regarded as such. There's no alternative to regular checkups and tests. Remember that every pregnancy is unique, and only a dedicated physician can give you guidance explicitly designed for you.

Nutritious food, light exercise, and sufficient water and sleep are the four pillars of a healthy lifestyle that become vital in pregnancy. Forget about smoking and alcohol, and consult your physician if you take any therapy. Find some books on pregnancy and preparation for childbirth, as learning how to prepare mentally and emotionally is critical.

Trimester 1. Month 1.

1. Schedule an appointment with your OBGYN/Midwife and confirm your pregnancy.
2. Double-check what prenatal care your insurance plan covers.
3. Keep a diary of symptoms and feelings. It will help you remember everything at the next checkup.
4. Consult your physician about your diet, any supplements you might need, such as folic acid, and exercise.
5. If you plan to lead an active life in pregnancy and work out, know what you can do safely and what you should avoid. Pelvic floor exercises are most welcome.
6. Do your best to rest as much as possible. Learn how to breathe, relax, meditate and get as much healthy sleep as possible.
7. This is when morning sickness is usually the strongest, so battle it by eating small, frequent meals to make sure you don't go overboard.

Trimester 1. Month 2.

1. It is time to schedule prenatal tests. Usually, tests are made between weeks 10 and 20, so consulting your doctor and scheduling well in advance will help you keep your peace of mind.
2. It's never too early to start readying your budget for when the baby comes, so why not start saving now? Perhaps you should also create a savings account for your child's education or future expenses.
3. Don't forget to put time with your partner on a pregnancy checklist and enjoy it while it's still uncomplicated.
4. Do some research and decide where you want to give birth. Should it be in a hospital, local birth center, or your home?

​Trimester 1. Month 3.

1. At this point, it is possible to learn the sex of the baby, and you and your partner should decide if you'd rather find out sooner or later.
2. Check your company's policy on maternity leave so you can make plans on time and prepare.
3. Pregnancy hormones can temporarily make your teeth loose and cause gingivitis, so make an appointment with a dentist.
4. If you prefer to hire the help of a doula, check their availability and schedule on time.
5. Pro: your breasts have likely increased in size. Con: they are also very tender. It's time to find a comfy but fitting bra!

​Trimester 3. Month 7.

1. Prepare and talk about your birth plan with your doula or OBGYN/Midwife and make your wishes known.
2. Send invites for your baby shower if you're hosting it, and share your baby registry with invitees.
3. Prepare maternity clothes for the last three months and a change of seasons.

​Trimester 3. Month 8.

1. Have fun at your baby shower!
2. Wash the baby clothes and sheets, both new and borrowed, in newborn-friendly laundry detergent.
3. Free some space in your freezer and store cooked meals for after childbirth. You'll thank yourself later.
4. Install a baby car seat and prepare your car for the new passenger!

Trimester 3. Month 9. 
*If there is a risk that you may deliver early, consider checking these off in month 7 or 8.*

1. If you plan to give birth in a hospital, pre-register.
2. Prepare and pack a bag for the hospital.
3. If you have pets or kids, someone will have to care for them when you go into labor. If your family can't hop in, arrange for a pet or babysitter.

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Finally, relax! It's all set. If you consult your pregnancy checklist, physician, doula, and everybody who works in your and your baby's best interest, you're on the path to a more informed and calmer pregnancy. Support and care are what you need and what you deserve!