“I think every working mom probably feels the same thing. You go through big chunks of time where you’re thinking, ‘This is impossible –oh, this is impossible.’ And then you just keep going and keep going, and you sort of do the impossible.” – Tina Fey
My daughter is now 6, but man it was a tough change becoming a working mom! I had been working for a few years before having my first child. It was a HUGE transition because I went from being confident and knowing myself to changing overnight literally. When I went back to work it felt impossible to balance work obligations, remembering to pump, and waking up in the middle of the night for feedings. Those first few months were a blur. But as my child started to grow, I started to grow in confidence, knowledge, and the capacity to love and give. Now, I am a happy working mama of 2! Every day is not a breeze, but it is significantly more manageable.
I firmly believe in setting your kids up for success. What does that mean? If we are making a family trip to Target or a fun outing, we evaluate the various needs of the family. Has everyone gone to the bathroom? Does everyone have a drink? Do we have snacks? Did the kids eat lunch already? Is the toddler properly napped? Did mama have enough coffee? All are very important questions and help to increase the likelihood that the outing will be a positive experience for the whole family. I firmly believe that we can do this for ourselves as working moms as well! My goal is to make the future a little easier for myself. Here are a few pointers that have helped me tremendously to find work-life balance:
- Morning List
Recently, I found the power of making a morning list! I am not a morning person, so having gentle reminders helps me to get in the right state of mind for the day.
- Preset Coffee in the Morning
Prepare the coffee the night before your workday and set it to brew at a good time. This is the most loving act you can do for yourself the night before a stressful day!
- Lay Out Your Clothes
Pick out your clothes and lay them out the night before. This is one less decision you have to make half asleep in the morning.
- Guided Meditation
Having a stressful day? Download a meditation app onto your smartphone! A 5- or 10-minute meditation on your lunch break can help release the tension and replace it with calm energy.
“You Can’t Pour from an Empty Cup.”
- Schedule Self Care Days
I am a firm believer in taking time off for self-care. I will schedule a day off weeks in advance just for me. As a mom, we are so used to giving to others, but we need to be loving and a good friend to ourselves as well. By doing this, we are better mothers, wives, sisters, and friends!
- Girls Night
Dinner with a friend or fun activity with a group of ladies is rejuvenating for the soul. Taking time to pause and laugh with those who get you can make a world of difference in being able to give to those around you!
- Play with Your Kiddos!
Feeling overwhelmed? Let your daughter do your makeup or make a fort inside. Sometimes I get so caught up in the responsibilities of being an adult, I forget to let loose and enjoy the moment. Lucky for me I have 2 tiny humans who are fantastic at being present.
- Date Night
Before you had kids, it was just the two of you. Keep that foundation of connection alive over date night. Even if it is at home in your backyard, quality time keeps your relationship and family dynamics healthy.
- Get Together with Other Families
There is nothing better than getting together and comparing notes with friends in the same stage of life. Having people that get the lifestyle, the struggles, and the joys of parenthood can help put everything into perspective.
- Ask for help.
If you find yourself really struggling, reaching out to a mental healthcare professional can help you pinpoint what you need to live a joy-filled life and manage all the different facets of being a working mom. Taking care of your mental health gives you the strength to take care of your family!
“This struggle is real. The juggle is real. That’s why everyone should hire working mothers. They are put in crazy situations all the time and are forced to problem-solve. They are some of my most resourceful employees.” – Sara Blakely
How do you find work-life balance?
I am a firm believer of picking out your clothes the night before. Being retired, it is always casual, but when I worked, BACK IN THE DAY, we wore our Sunday best to work, pantyhose, heels, purse to coordinate and ironing was a must. We did not have the fabrics of today! Carpooling w my daddy and having a young son at the time, Rhett learned the work ethic from his Paw Paw and myself. Yes, I agree about hiring a woman who works w children. Need a multi tasker? Watch this! Great article❤️