Some mothers feel guilty for working from 9 to 6, devoting the rest of their day to their children. One should know that keeping up with tasks and responsibilities (as a mom and a professional) 24/7 is almost impossible.
Having some time for yourself is important to ensure you do not crash and burn. Here are some tips to ensure you achieve a work-life balance and maximise your time without putting your career or your kids at risk.
1. Prepare everything you need the night before
As a working mom, preparing things you and your kids need the night before can save time and worry.Instead of going straight for the couch upon returning from work, do a little prep such as planning the next day’s breakfast; what you’re going to wear tomorrow etc. Come morning, these tasks will be out of the way.
2. Invest in a family calendar
By doing so, you can prepare things beforehand – your daughter’s dental appointment; applying for annual leave etc. If you use Google Calendar, you can check your calendar through your smartphone.
3. Let the guilt go
There will come a point when your child no longer needs to be checked on 24/7. If you find yourself consumed by the guilt, think of the positives of working.
Besides the obvious added financial support to pay the bills, work allows you to save for your child’s education fund. If your partner is also working, there are two sources of income. Overall, this is improving your family’s way of life.
4. Ask your employer for a more flexible schedule
Beyond maternity leave, asking your employer for a more flexible schedule can help with raising a kid. Many working mothers are reluctant to bring up this issue but instead of making you look unprofessional or weak, it shows you prioritise family as much as work.Coming up with a flexible schedule can benefit your employer just as much as it benefits you. Thanks to technology, it’s possible to work from home. This means employers are much more open to letting their employees do a few days a week away from the office.
You can also ask to adjust your working hours, either lengthening it on certain days or coming in earlier or staying later – whichever suits your schedule.
If your employer cannot offer much in the way of flexibility, you can always strategically choose your vacation days, allowing you to spend a few days at the end of each month at home with the family.
5. Invest in excellent childcare
Ask friends, family or colleagues for references of nannies and/or agencies they may have used. Whether they will be living with you or just working part-time, be sure to interview the nannies to see who gets along best with your family.
6. Plan fun family time whenever you can
When you do spend a lot of time working, it’s crucial that you schedule lots of special family time. This can be done both at weekends and during the week.
If time is limited, such as on weeknights, you can do something as simple as a family movie night. At weekends, go out for the day or have a family picnic. Family time is precious so try to come up with regular fun activities you can do together when you’re not at work.7. Consider switching jobs
Now this tip isn’t going to apply to everyone. However, if you’ve tried everything and your job just isn’t allowing you to develop a healthy and happy work/life balance, it could be time to look for another.
Do not stay in a job just because it’s paying more. If it makes you constantly stressed and is affecting your family dynamic, it will eventually lead to burnout. It may also cause resentment, dissatisfaction and arguments between you and your partner.
It’s not easy to leave a job, especially if you’ve spent years trying to make something of yourself in the same company. However, being a mother is often about selfless sacrifice.
8. Switch off
After hustling all day, it is vital that you get enough time to rest and sleep. Being a superwoman is difficult; to avoid burnouts, recharge your batteries each night.
As busy as your life may be, it’s important that you still find time for activities you enjoy; things that sustain your passion.
In the long run, these will give you energy, rather than deplete you, and ensure you’ll have more time, energy and enthusiasm for everyone else in your life the rest of the time. Getting good quality sleep each night is essential for good mental health too.
9. Spend time & communicate with your partner
You are not in this alone. Your partner is right there with you. Taking care of your relationship with him is essential in achieving that work-life balance. Fostering this relationship will bring back some excitement to the marriage or partnership and help you “check in” with each other.
For some couples, going out on a monthly date can be difficult and expensive, but that doesn’t mean you can’t focus on each other. Have an indoor date night by cooking a nice meal together or even sitting together with a glass of wine and talking.
10. Stay connected during the day
For moms with younger kids, consider recording yourself talking or singing on a video or record your voice reading along to a children’s book. If you’re going to miss or be late to an older child’s event, give her something special in the morning, like a good-luck charm or a personal note.
Look into options for filming the event so you can watch it later and not miss a moment. Hang pictures of yourself and your partner so the kids can see your faces.
During breaks at work, call your child; hearing her voice can help you get through a rough day, and she’ll be comforted to know you’re there.
This article first appeared in thenewsavvy.com
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