Running an Online Business as a Country Mum

This weekend I attended the 2025 Rural Women’s Gathering in Lismore, and it was such a refreshing day to step out of the house, take a break from the kids, and connect with other amazing women from rural, regional, and remote NSW. Thanks to Lismore City Council for hosting such a wonderful event!

Image from the 2025 Rural Women's Gathering, Lismore NSW.

One topic that really made me stop and think was screen time and online safety for kids. Living in the country can be isolating, and our children sometimes turn to the internet for connection when real-life communities aren’t easily accessible. While the internet is a fantastic resource, it also comes with risks that need to be managed.

It’s ironic because the very reason I started my own business is similar: like many country women, a traditional 9–5 job just isn’t feasible. Long drives to city offices, limited childcare options, and school drop-offs and pick-ups make a standard corporate schedule impossible.

I needed a way to work around my family, and running a mostly online business gave me that flexibility while also letting me model independence, ambition, and resilience for my kids.

The Challenge of Balancing Work and Kids

Here’s the challenge: my work is online, yet I also want to limit my kids’ screen time for their safety and wellbeing. It’s a balancing act that plays out every day. I want my children to see me working, to understand the value of effort and entrepreneurship, and to hopefully be inspired to build their own flexible futures.

At the same time, I need them to have healthy boundaries around online activity.

Strategies That Help Me Manage the Balance

Here are some strategies that have worked for me:

• Schedule work in school hours—early mornings, and nap times are productive windows for me

• Batch online tasks like social media posts and schedule them so you’re not constantly online in front of the kids.

• Set boundaries and explain to them why your work screen time is different from leisure screen time.

• Involve kids in small ways where appropriate—they can see why my online work is helping people (my youngest says I teach people on my "puter") 🤣

• Use parental controls so the kids can't access things they're not meant to.

Final Thoughts

Balancing an online business and parenting in the bush isn’t easy, and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Sharing our experiences and strategies can help us feel less alone in this juggling act.

For me, it’s about showing my children that work can be meaningful, flexible, and empowering. It’s also about teaching them the importance of boundaries with technology—a lesson that’s especially important when living in more isolated areas.

Working mums in rural areas—how do you manage this balance? I’d love to hear your tips and experiences. Let’s support each other in building businesses and families that thrive, even in the most remote corners of NSW.

Join the conversation online @Diversfied_Business_Skills

Daina xo

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