When you’re a mother, running women’s circles looks a little different. The rhythm of your family, your energy, and your priorities all matter — and your business can be built to honour that.
Here’s what’s worked for me:
1️⃣ Schedule circles at a time that suits your family first and foremost.
For me, this has looked like Sunday afternoons when my partner can be with the kids, even if they are sick.
I’m not in the season where I can run circles of an evening — it doesn’t work for my energy or my kids. By 6pm, I’m pooped!
One day I’ll host circles by candlelight regularly, but that time is not now.
2️⃣ I’ve been hosting circles since my kids were babies, and I’ve always just admitted in the spaces I am in, if I am particularly sleep deprived after a rough night.
I have notes and refer to them in circle — this helps remind me of structure and stay on course if I’ve lost my words.
Many of my attendees are also tired mothers. They get it.
3️⃣ Sell tickets upfront, with a non-refundable fee for cancellations.
This has been important to keep circle work supportive for me, with so much effort going into preparation, as well as venue hire and other expenses paid.
It does mean that there will be women who can’t come on the day if they or their children are sick. They do lose their ticket fee, but this is the way to keep it sustainable long term for the facilitator.
And without this, there would be no circles!
4️⃣ Choose a circle rhythm that works throughout the year.
For me, with different priorities and limited childcare, I run monthly in-person circles. This is a lot less than I have in the past when I could run them weekly or fortnightly.
Honour the season you’re in.
I also intentionally take time off over summer school holidays, and winter, when sickness is more likely, but also when I want to personally hibernate more.
5️⃣ Charge appropriately for your time, effort and energy.
With a limited amount of hours in your work week, needing to find dedicated time away from children, and all the costs involved in showing up for the circle — you don’t want to be continually running at a loss and feeling resentful.
✨ Want to learn how to create a sustainable, soul-led women’s circle practice that works with your family life?
I teach all of this and so much more inside my Together: Women’s Circle Facilitator Training.
Whether you’re a brand new facilitator or an experienced circle holder ready to reimagine how you work — this is for you.
