You're a working mom and you've got a lot on your plate. You want to do everything, but somehow you are managing it all. Good for you! We know that it can be tough, but we also know that there's no one way to do it. There's no "right" way to have children or work while raising them—we just want to encourage those who are struggling with the balancing act that comes with being both a parent and an employee. In this post, we'll take a look at some of the best practices for managing your life as an employed parent so that you don't feel overwhelmed by these two roles in your life!
Be realistic about your expectations
The first step to achieving work-life balance as a working mom is being realistic about your expectations. As your children grow and develop, you will have to prioritize what is most important at any given time. You can't do it all; you can do a lot, but not everything and not perfectly. It's okay to accept this fact because you are not a bad mom if you're not perfect!
Remember that you don't need to be perfect to be a great mom
It's okay to make mistakes, it's okay to not be perfect. You don't need to be a perfect mom in order for your children to love you and respect you. They love you because they know that at the end of the day, no matter what happens, they are safe with you and they can always count on you.
It is important that we remember this as moms because sometimes we get so caught up in how we think things should go as a parent that we forget how much our kids need us right now. If there was ever an imperfect time in our lives where mistakes could be made, it would be when raising kids!
We all want our kids to see us as role models who set good examples but sometimes even those of us who strive for perfection so often fall short at times because parenting is hard work! We all try so hard but if there’s one thing I have learned as a mother thus far it’s this: being imperfect does not mean being less than amazing or less than great!
Make time for "mommy only" outings with your kids
It’s important to spend time with your kids and do something that doesn't cost money. You can make memories at home, too!
Get out the crafting supplies and make some cute crafts together. The kids will love it, and you'll be able to see their creativity come alive as they create something they love.
Take a walk through the neighborhood on a nice day—the fresh air can be good for everyone's health, plus it gives you a chance to spend some quality time with each other without having to worry about anything else in the world other than enjoying being outside together (and maybe enjoying some ice cream).
Don't forget to take care of yourself
It’s easy to forget that in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. But it’s important not to neglect yourself. If you don't feel good, you won’t be able to function at 100%. That means it's time for a break! Use that time wisely: relax, exercise, eat well, sleep well and spend time with friends or family — maybe even your partner (if they're not traveling). Once these basic needs are taken care of, then focus on spending quality time with your kids — they love their mommy too!
Take advantage of all the perks offered at work
Another way to ease the burden of being a working mom is taking advantage of all the perks offered at work. Flexible hours and paid leave are just some of the ways you can work around your kid's schedule, allowing you to spend more time with them when they need it most.
If possible, consider working from home during the day so that someone can be with your child while you're at work. If this isn't possible (or financially feasible), look into child care options in your area that will help relieve some of your stress as a parent by giving your child what he or she needs during his or her daycare hours.
If there are other employees at work who have children, consider forming a wellness committee where employees can voice their concerns about balancing parenthood and career goals; often times companies offer programs like flex scheduling which allows an employee to choose when he or she works each week based on what works best for him or her and their family unit.
Childcare can be a lifesaver
If you're lucky, you'll be able to find a reliable babysitter in your community who will watch your kid for the occasional night out or weekend trip. If not, consider signing up for a daycare that's closer to home. But whatever option you choose, know that it's totally normal if this arrangement doesn't work out; I've been on both sides of the equation and have been frustrated by my own lack of flexibility more than once when it comes to taking care of my kids while also getting stuff done at work (or vice versa).
And remember: For every caregiver who loves spending time with other people's little ones, there are probably many more who would rather be doing anything else—including working a second job outside the home!
There are things you can do to make the working mom life more manageable, though. Being a working mom is hard, but you can make it easier by being realistic about what you can and can't do, prioritizing, and taking advantage of resources!
Be realistic about what you can and can't do: Don't try to be perfect. If your son has a big game coming up, let him know that he'll have all the support he needs from his friends' parents at the game instead of making him feel as if he's disappointing his kid by not showing up to every single practice or event during the season.
Prioritize: Your kid isn't going anywhere—they'll still be there for dinner even if their bedtime gets pushed back an hour or two because of work later this week! Focus on your priorities and give yourself some grace when life gets busy enough that something important slips through the cracks. It happens all the time; we're only human after all!
Take advantage of resources: There are so many apps out there these days that help us maintain our sanity as working parents; use them! A few favorites include Grocery IQ (grocery list), Class Dojo (classroom communication), Google Drive (work files), Amazon Prime Video (streaming entertainment)
The bottom line: there's no doubt about it—being a working mom is hard. But if you take one step at a time, break things down into manageable pieces, and remember that your child needs you more than anything else in this world, you can do it! And we hope that some of these tips will help make your journey easier along the way.