Event Planning Skills I Learned from Motherhood (and Vice Versa)

If you’ve ever planned a kid’s birthday party, a school fundraiser, or even just tried to get a toddler out the door on time, congratulations—you’re basically an event planner. On the flip side, if you’ve ever worked in event planning, you already know it’s basically parenting in high heels (or sneakers, because let’s be real, we’re moving non-stop).

Motherhood and event planning have more in common than you’d think, and over the years, I’ve realized that the skills I use in one area of my life make me better in the other. Here’s a fun look at how party planning and parenting go hand in hand.

1. The Art of Managing Chaos

In event planning, something will go wrong—whether it’s a vendor canceling last-minute, the cake arriving in the wrong color, or a guest spilling red wine on the white linens. The key? Stay calm, pivot, and make it work.

Motherhood is the same. No matter how much you plan, something unexpected happens—someone spills milk right as you're leaving, the toddler suddenly hates their favorite shoes, or a meltdown erupts over the color of a sippy cup. Both roles require handling the unexpected with a deep breath, a quick fix, and maybe a backup plan (or two).

Lesson learned: Flexibility and problem-solving are survival skills in both worlds.

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2. You Become a Master of Timing

Planning an event means knowing when everything needs to happen—when the food arrives, when the music starts, when the speeches happen. If one thing is off, the whole event can feel chaotic.

Motherhood? The same. You know exactly how much time you have before the next meltdown, snack request, or urgent bathroom trip. You master the art of transitioning from school pick-up to dinner to bedtime like a seasoned event coordinator keeping a wedding reception on schedule.

Lesson learned: Timing is everything, and buffer time is essential.

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3. Delegation is Your Best Friend

As an event planner, you know you can’t do everything alone. You hire vendors, work with teams, and assign tasks to make sure everything runs smoothly.

As a mom? It’s tempting to do it all yourself, but real sanity comes from asking for help—whether that’s your partner, your mom friends, or even your kids (yes, they can clean up their own toys!).

Lesson learned: You don’t have to do it all—teamwork makes everything better.

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4. The Magic is in the Details

The difference between a good event and an unforgettable one? The little details—custom place cards, thoughtful party favors, or the perfectly timed playlist.

Motherhood is the same. The big moments matter, but it’s the little things—reading one more bedtime story, remembering their favorite snack, or adding a handwritten note to their lunchbox—that make all the difference.

Lesson learned: Small moments create the biggest impact.

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5. At the End of the Day, It’s About the Experience

No matter how well you plan, events don’t always go perfectly. Maybe it rained on your outdoor party, or the cake didn’t look like the Pinterest photo. But guests will always remember how they felt—the laughter, the energy, the fun.

Motherhood is the same. Some days are beautifully smooth, and some feel like complete chaos. But in the end, your kids won’t remember if the house was spotless or if dinner was perfectly balanced—they’ll remember how much fun they had, how much they were loved, and how safe they felt.

Lesson learned: Perfection isn’t the goal—creating meaningful experiences is.

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Bringing It All Together

Motherhood has made me a better event planner, and event planning has made me a better mom. Both roles require patience, creativity, and the ability to roll with whatever comes your way. And at the heart of it all? Making sure the people you’re planning for—whether it’s clients or your own family—feel valued, happy, and loved.

So whether you’re planning a party or just trying to get through a busy Monday, just remember: You’ve got this.