How I Involve My Daughter in My Business as a Working Mom

Being a working mom means balancing deadlines, meetings, and client calls — often with a small co-worker in tow.

For years, my daughter only knew me as an economic developer. She had a basic understanding of my work (mostly because she recognized Ken’s Foods salad dressing and Gorton’s fish sticks, both companies I helped locate in our community), but beyond that, there wasn’t much of a way to engage her in what I did.

Now that I run my own business, things look a little different. She helps me film B-roll, gives her (very strong) opinions on my designs, and asks me questions about marketing, strategy, and why people buy things. And I love it. She’s watching me build something from scratch, and more importantly — she’s watching me learn from my mistakes.

As a working mom, I’ve learned that involving my daughter in my business isn’t just about keeping her entertained. It’s about showing her what’s possible. It’s about letting her see firsthand what it takes to build something meaningful while managing all the responsibilities that come with it.

3 Tips for Involving Your Kids

For all my fellow working moms, here are three of my quick tips for working with kids:

✅ Involve Them as Much as You Can – Whether it’s simple tasks like organizing papers, helping with social media ideas, or even filming B-roll, small contributions make kids feel like they’re part of something important.

✅ Stop Apologizing for Your Kids – It’s 2025. If they pop into a Zoom call or tag along to a meeting, it’s okay. My daughter talked to the mayor once about her favorite Paw Patrol characters. She joined me for at least one county council meeting and one redevelopment commission meeting. It’s fine. Your kids are part of your life, and everyone else can adjust.

✅ Be Prepared – Keep snacks, toys, and distractions in your office, because some days, you’ll have a tiny assistant whether you planned for it or not. For my daughter when she was younger, I kept these Melissa & Doug sticker pads in my office (ps – not an ad).

A Reminder for Every Working Mom

At mkw+co, I help non-profit and small business leaders create real strategies that work—ones that don’t require burnout, chaos, or sacrificing time with family. If you feel like you’re constantly spinning your wheels trying to juggle it all, let’s set things straight. Whether it’s streamlining your operations or creating a clear strategic plan, I can help you make it all work. Let’s schedule a quick call today to discuss.

💬 Working moms, what’s your best tip for balancing work and kids? Drop it in the comments!