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Yearning for life to be a little more balanced? Yeah, me too! I have been where you are at mom and I know that working at the office all day and coming home and working all night is draining. As a super mom you know you have to do it all or at least try your best to give your all to your family, your employer and everyone else in your life. Even though some days will be worse than others, you can find a better balance between work and family in all the craziness. Here are 4 effective strategies you need to put into practice to Rock Work and Family as a working mom.
Quality Time
In between laundry, cooking, dishes, homework and checking in with teachers to see how the kids are doing at school it seems impossible to find any time to bond with them. We all know that bonding with kids is as important as voluntary disclosure to tax professionals so you have to find time to do it. Some activities you could do to get that quality time with your kids might be ordering takeout, weekly or monthly game nights, working out together, evening walks, crafting, cooking together or even just plain playing!
Don’t feel guilty
Even though you want to be everything to everyone, there are just going to be things you can’t do- so don’t beat yourself up! You can’t be home with your kids all the time because you have to work and you can’t make every single soccer game when game time is before 5pm and that is okay. Working and providing your kids with the things they need is important and what a good parent is supposed to do. You might want to communicate with your employer about your family needs and limit time wasters and distractions to ensure that you finish your work at the office on time. You’ll have good and bad days as a working mom so embrace, accept and move on.
Be Prepared for the Morning
Every mom will tell you that the morning rush is the toughest because there’s so much to do but you can make it easier by being prepared. Pack your kids’ lunches the night before, lay out their clothes and yours and make sure everyone showers. You should also keep the bags and the by the door to avoid stress in the morning. Check the to-do list for the day so you know everything you need to do before you get back home or who needs to do what that day. Consider creating and organizing a color-coded family calendar with family and school events, birthdays, homework, and extracurricular activities, among others.
Get the best childcare
One of the best things you can do is make sure your child is getting the best care in your absence. Take time when looking for a daycare center, a nanny, or a babysitter and always ask for references from people you trust. You’ll be able to focus better at work knowing your kids are well taken care of.
Elizabeth, thank you for sharing such great tips! So many of us are seeking strategies and support through the work/life juggle! I’ve enjoyed discovering your blog.