Being a mother is hard, like, really hard. Being a working mom comes with its own challenges, especially if you’re trying to balance your role as a parent and your career on a daily basis.
There’s a reason that working mothers struggle so much and have especially struggled throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. In fact, a Kaiser Family Foundation study found that more than half of working mothers surveyed felt that pandemic-related stress and worry have affected their mental health.
The good news is that working mothers are not in it alone. Everyone is carrying their own load and suffering through their unique struggles, but luckily there are expert insights and tricks of the trade to help working mothers who need relief. This valuable advice for working mothers just might help you achieve the balance you deserve.
Make Balance a Priority
Once upon a time, being busy was a sign of dedication to your job, and the busier you were, the more respected you were as a working mom. Not since the pandemic came and shifted everyone’s priorities. Now the arc of success bends towards balance. Making time for family, friends, mental health, physical wellness, and self-care is the goal. Don’t assume you need to be busy all the time. Focus on finding balance and making time for one task at a time. If you need to take a break from work to go to a soccer game or attend a school meeting, allow yourself that balance.
Consider the Example You Are Setting for Your Kids
Remember that you are setting an example for your kids, and even when things feel impossible, you’re in it for the right reasons. At the end of the day, your children respect what you do and look up to you for all the hard work you put into your job and your parenting. Don’t overestimate how much of an impact your efforts have on your children and their values as they grow up. When things feel hard, focus on that.
Working Mothers Need to Keep it in Perspective
Just ask tennis superstar, GOAT, mom extraordinaire, and role model to millions around the world, Serena Williams. It’s all about perspective. “Knowing I’ve got this beautiful baby to go home to makes me feel like I don’t have to play another match. I don’t need the money or the titles or the prestige. I want them, but I don’t need them. That’s a different feeling for me,” she said. Knowing the difference between what you need and want is key, and remembering why you’re working in the first place will help you keep it all in perspective.
Wake Up Early
Experienced working moms swear by waking up early. Not at the last minute, not five minutes late, not squeezing in as much sleep as possible. Wake up early to set your intentions for the day and begin your morning in control of your own time.
According to Jenny Galluzzo, co-founder of The Second Shift, an employment and empowerment platform for women and working mothers, you must first think about how you want your day to go. Then wake up early and “be ahead of it so you can set your day up for success,” she suggests.
Organization is Essential
Prep meals ahead of time. Make a family calendar. Plan carpools for the week, assign chores around the house, give kids jobs and responsibilities, and keep as many lists as you need to ensure everyone is on the same page. There is no such thing as too much organization and preparation when it comes to being a working mom. If you feel in control of your time and your to-do list, you’ll be more successful in all of your roles.
