You might say it has never been easier to be a working mum. But it’s also never been more difficult – the truth is it’s not easy to maintain a balance between parenthood and career. But it is also not impossible.
We put together a few everyday tips that will help you to find (and keep) balance in your life.
Making mornings smoother
Nobody likes to rush in the morning, but for some reason, time seems to fly as the sun comes up. While the toast is getting burned, the kids don’t want to get dressed. Does that sound familiar? You are not alone. Preparing breakfast and lunch, getting the kids ready for school, and checking emails at the same time will undoubtedly end in a catastrophe.
While time is scarce in the morning, there is always some extra time before going to bed. Get a smoother start to your day by preparing your morning routine in the evening. It will make you more productive at work and at home. Setting the table, getting school lunch ready, preparing your kids’ clothes, and many other small tasks can actually be sorted out in the evening. So, kickstart your mornings (in the evening), while watching an episode of your favourite TV series – so it won’t even seem like a chore.
Get a calendar
It might seem like an obvious thing to do, but the truth is most parents only have a professional calendar, not a family calendar. Double-booking yourself is something that happens to every parent constantly. Trying to rearrange events last minute is usually a nightmare.
Make it a weekly habit and sit down with your partner and kids to create a schedule for the week, including birthdays, school events, shopping trips, and extracurricular activities. Don’t forget smaller details, such as needing to drive your kids somewhere. Including your kids into the actual planning will not only make the process easier, but will give them a sense of responsibility.
Talk to your boss
Being able to balance your private and professional lives well is often rooted in a certain amount of flexibility at work. Can you leave an hour early if you really have to?
When starting a new job or discussing a promotion, make sure you are having this discussion with your employer or HR manager. What happens if your child is sick? Can you also work from home if needed? Even if you never make use of it, knowing you have flexibility can remove a lot of potential stress from family life.
Family evenings
A small secret to achieving a healthy work-life balance lies in the emphasis on quality over quantity. It’s crucial to be in the moment – both at work and at home. Just like anyone, you as the working mum (or dad) will also need time for yourself. This is also true for your kids.
Have a family evening once a week to spend quality time with everyone. No matter if you are playing board games, cooking together or going to a trampoline park, make sure you are doing an activity with the entire family. If it’s hard to find time for it, you should schedule these activities in your calendar – every week.
