Networking as a mum looks very different !

I get invited to networking events all the time. And almost every single one is completely impossible.

There's the 7am breakfast meeting (I'm still in my pjs doing the packed lunch). The 4pm "after work networking”  (that's literally school pick-up, dinner, homework, and ferrying kids to clubs). Or my personal favourite the evening event in Glasgow city centre with canapés and champagne. Because, obviously I have time to get showered, dressed up, and drive into town after a full day of running my business and keeping a tiny human alive.

Networking is one of those things we all know we should be doing more of in business but as mums, it's really not that simple. Between school runs, packed lunches, after-school clubs, and the dinner–bedtime chaos, the idea of squeezing in these "standard" networking opportunities feels pretty much impossible. So how do you build those meaningful business connections when your "workday" is really about five hours long, and your evenings belong to bath time and bedtime stories?

Let's talk about how to make networking actually work for mums realistically.

1. Accept that your networking window is different and that's okay

Most traditional networking groups run on a corporate schedule early mornings or late afternoons. For mums, that's often right in the middle of school runs, meal prep, or bedtime. Instead of fighting that, accept that your available hours are precious and limited. Between school drop-off and pick-up, you probably have around five focused hours to run your entire business. That means networking has to fit around your life, not the other way around.

👉 Tip: Look for daytime or online networking options. Lanarkshire Boss Mums Network offers flexible formats like:

• 10am starts for Inperson events after school drop-off

• Evening online workshops

• WhatsApp or Facebook-based groups for ongoing connection

• Evening online networking to save you leaving the hous

2. Redefine what "networking" looks like

Networking doesn't always mean standing awkwardly with a coffee cup and a name badge. It's about connection and that can happen anywhere.

Maybe for you, it's:

• Chatting to another business owner at a kids' birthday party

• Sending a genuine message to someone you would like to get to know and organising a coffee

• Joining a local mumpreneur Facebook group like Lanarkshire Boss Mums Network and actively engaging

When you remove the pressure of formal events, networking becomes something that fits more naturally into your day.

3. Prioritise quality over quantity

You don't need to attend every event to grow your network ! Focus on building a few strong relationships instead of scattering your time and energy.

Ask yourself:

• Who do I actually want to connect with?

• Where do I want to connect with people?

• Who inspires me or shares similar values?

• Who could I collaborate with?

It's better to nurture three meaningful business friendships than to collect thirty business cards that end up in a drawer.

4. Use digital networking to your advantage

Online networking can be a total game-changer for mums. Think virtual masterminds, WhatsApp accountability groups, and co-working sessions on Zoom.

These allow you to connect without needing to juggle childcare or drive across town. Plus, you can often dip in and out between school hours.

5. Don't apologise for your boundaries

It's easy to feel like you're "missing out" when you can't attend certain events. But remember you're building your business your way. If you can't make the 7am or 7pm sessions, that doesn't mean you're less dedicated or professional. It means you're smart enough to know what works for your season of life. You can absolutely grow an incredible network as a mum it just looks a little different.

6. Stop comparing yourself to the social media highlight reel

We've all seen them the Instagram stories and LinkedIn posts of other business owners at glamorous networking events, looking polished and professional with a glass of prosecco in hand, seemingly having the time of their lives. And there you are, in leggings covered in pasta sauce, wondering how everyone else seems to have it all figured out. But !!! social media shows you a carefully curated snapshot. You're seeing two minutes of their day, not the full picture. Your networking journey doesn't need to look like anyone else's. Building genuine connections in the pockets of time you actually have is just as valuable  if not more so than being at every event on the calendar.

💡 Final thought

Networking as a mum isn't about being everywhere. It's about being intentional. When you connect with the right people, in the right ways, at the right times you'll build relationships that fuel your business and fit your life. Because at the end of the day, success isn't about being constantly visible. It's about being authentically connected.