Love Song Founder Kelly Bayett on Why You Can’t “Have It All” — And Why That’s Okay

At one point in my life, I had two successful businesses, four children and of course, my husband. All of them needed my attention, so I did my very best to stretch myself as far as I possibly could to please everyone. It nearly broke me.

There was simply no way to make every practice, every meal, every performance, every school event, every weekend-long tournament and also keep up with endless Zooms and meetings, creative reviews, employee check-ins and sales trips. On top of that, the date nights my husband and I desperately needed — so that, amongst the madness, we stayed connected — were always the first thing sacrificed. They're the most convenient thing to walk away from because we convince ourselves that they can wait. That we will get there…eventually.

I would plan meticulously. And something would always change my plans. Sick kid? Nope, didn't plan for that. I'd hustle to find care to help watch them while I worked from home, only for that to fall through. And then I'd be juggling everything, sometimes relying on screens to help distract them so I could take a call. Screens as a babysitter? Yes, and I felt as though I had let myself down. I said I would never do that, and yet, there I was — such a hypocrite.

More on Entrepreneur!