The day to day juggle of being a VA Business Owner and Mum to a daughter with Down’s Syndrome.
March the 21st is World Down’s Syndrome Day, a day to celebrate achievements for those who have Down’s syndrome and the diversity they provide.
Unbelievably it’s been four years since I published my blog announcing to the world that my daughter Ella had down’s syndrome at that point I’d only told a handful of people.
Fast forward 4 years I’m now much further along in my journey of being a Mother to a child with additional needs. I’m thankful that I have, so far, managed to be a fairly good Mum, attended Ella’s therapy sessions, education groups, medical appointments, learnt as much about Down’s syndrome as I could and spent quite a bit of time helping her to be as best prepared for school as I can (I’m still in denial about the last part!).
Alongside this my Virtual assistant business has continued to thrive, grown year on year and I’ve won a handful of awards.
The flexibility my business has given me has been fantastic, although I set up before we’d even considered having another child, when Ella came along, I was truly glad I had it (admittedly at the time I threw myself into work as soon as we were out of the hospital as a distraction).
When speaking to fellow Mums (with or without children that require a bit of extra support) regardless of whether they work full or part time, I hear regularly about the problems that can occur when asking to take time off for appointments, school plays or when your child is sick and the guilt that accompanies it. I’m not saying working for yourself is a piece of cake, it’s far from it, but I do have the option to work the evening before an appointment or meeting and I get to set the hours I work without feeling guilty or having to ask a manager for time off.
I could’ve chosen to stay at home and not worked, however, I would’ve got extremely bored. My VA business gives me the opportunity to use my brain daily, gives me financial independence (to a certain degree, better not upset the old man!) and enables me to help other people whilst giving me the satisfaction of a job well done.
It’s not all hugs, sunshine and flowers, during the past 4 years Ella’s had a few hospital stays due to Bronchiolitis (Bronch as we now call it as she’s had it so much!) Croup and the flu.
Initially I panicked about how I was going to get the work done, but, every single one of my customers understood. The VA I had as a backup stepped up, and being a remote worker, I did what I could from my laptop in the hospital room when Ella was sleeping – the joys of having a child with a low immune system and an avid escape artist has its upsides when you get a side room!
Over the years I’ve become more involved with a local Warwickshire charity supporting children with down’s syndrome, helping them where I can with admin, arranging various schedules and assisting on initiatives such as positive about downs syndrome.
I’ve been pushed out of my comfort zone numerous times, I’ve spoken at Warwick Medical School to trainee Doctors on the support available within our county and the use of terminology. Last year Ella and I spoke at Coventry University to a class of Midwives about her diagnosis and our journey of discovery which was emotional to say the least, my tears and theirs – I’m an introvert so this was totally out of my comfort zone, but my sidekick was with me and I did it for her.
What my Virtual Assistant business has given me:
- Freedom – to attend appointments, therapies, training and meetings – of which there can be a lot!
- Independence – financially and the ability to make decisions that best suit my family.
- Something that’s me – it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you’re being Mum, wife, therapist, teacher, cook, advocate and chief organiser. My VA business helped me to keep my identity and be Rachel.
- A chance to learn – I learn every day, new techniques, new software, new ways of thinking which help me on a professional and personal level.
- A support network – through VA training I have met some amazing VA’s who are supportive, collaborative, fun and who I can turn too if I need some assistance.
- Work life balance – I can be a Mum, I can be a successful business owner and I can be a great PA.
How do you get it all done?
Being a VA is far easier when you have clients who think a little bit in advance, and when you know what you need to do you can plan it into your diary. I time block so that I know what I’m doing at certain points of the day, especially the 2.5 hours that Ella’s at preschool every day. So, for me documentation, PowerPoints and creating social media graphics and posts fits perfectly. Plus, those types of tasks can be done after the children have gone to bed if needs be and I can do them ahead of time if Ella has appointments coming up.
I always have to put in a buffer for emergencies… this is not an emergency like a trip to A & E but to allow time for more pressing tasks from clients; diary management, recruitment, research etc. As I said earlier it’s great if they think and work in advance but not all of them do and sometimes things need dealing with there and then. It is important to manage their expectations though, so they always know my working hours and if I’m out for the day on a training course – you’ll be surprised what training is out there for parents of a child with DS!
Do you have to have been a PA in a previous life?
In short no you don’t, my back ground is in Customer service and administration management in automation, manufacturing and logistics companies. If you’re organised and let’s face it if you have a child with some additional needs you have to be to keep on top of letters, appointments and reports from professionals and you need to be able to write a compelling case to advocate for your child! You need to be well versed in Microsoft packages, but there are other areas that you might specialise instead such as blogging, event management, building websites, book keeping or social media the list is endless. Above all you need a strong desire to do a great job, a positive outlook, can do attitude and the ability to motivate yourself working from home. Here is a really useful article on how to tell if you’d be a good virtual assistant
How can I become a VA?
There are different options that you can take, you could be an associate VA initially – where another VA will pass you work to complete or you deal directly with their clients but under their umbrella or you could set up for yourself right from day one, both of which will involve some research and self-study. You could trawl the internet yourself, but personally I would check out the great free resources at the VACT – Virtual Assistant Coaching and Training Company. Despite being a VA for nearly six years now I still find Amanda’s content relevant and useful, I also work with her on a monthly basis to keep up to date with new skills and to keep me accountable.
So, in conclusion yes it’s a juggle, but I believe you can be a successful Virtual Assistant Business Owner and have a child with Down’s Syndrome, I am the proof and looking back over the past four years I’m pretty proud of both of us for what we have achieved.
AWESOME – you and Ella should both be exceptionally proud of yourselves. Thank you for sharing your journey with us. I also want to take a moment to recognise the work you do with The Ups of Downs Charity and have done with midwives – its amazing. When my children died, I did some work with midwives about how to deal with a bereaved parent, like you I cried a lot, like the team you worked with they cried a lot too – but actually it was empowering for both sides, so I love how Ella played a key part in the work you did with them. They will be eternally grateful I am sure.
I love this final picture of the 2 of you – I love that you show that it is a juggle but can be very rewarding – that Ella gets an awesome mummy, who still has an identity and a business that means she can be there for Ella (and her equally awesome big brother.) I am very proud of you Rachel.
Thank you for also sharing the VACT message – a VA career gives people freedom and flexibility to live the type of life they want. If you are inspired to join the VACT mailing list – mention Ella (and Rachel) to me.
Thank you so much Amanda, I may have just shed a tear or two.
I shed multiple ones reading it…
Excellent articleRachel, very balanced and inspiring. You have built your business to fit around the needs of your family while supporting your clients.
You are an inspiration and I’m honoured to know you. Ella’s beautiful smile brightens up my day! Thank you for sharing your journey
Thank you Heather, I am lucky to have found something to balance work and life along with doing something I love and of course I meet amazing people through it too.
Wonderful article Rachel. Its funny I was just thinking this morning how do VAs manage who have small children or special children who need a bit more help, I look after my 1year old grandson 2 days a week and find it hard to work when he is at my house! Well done for being so sucessfull in your business and having such a beautiful little girl. Mx
Thank you Mary. It’s tough at times but worth it.
Rachel this is a brilliant blog. Not only have you managed to achieve all of that you also take the time to share your story with others. You are a great role model and an inspiration to us all. As I tell you often you are a brilliant V.A and our business is so much better for having you as part of our team. Being your first ever customer it is fantastic to see how much your business is growing despite the challenges you’ve faced. It’s also heart warming to see how beautiful your two children are, inside and out and how they thrive because of your complete commitment to them. You deserve to be successful.
Thank you Karen, that is lovely of you to say.
You are superwomen and should feel very proud of what you have achieved. You have excelled in everything you do and are a true inspiration to us all. We love you lots. ?
Thank you Sal.