Work Life Balance, Being a Good Working Mom

The hardest struggle of the modern mum is finding that balance between work and family life. Whether you have a full-time busy career, work part-time or from home, each requires its own careful juggling act. Although you might not think that it’s possible to do it all, there are ways to do your best and find the balance that works for you and your family.

It’s also worth taking into account the generational shift that has taken place in parenting. Shared responsibility has become the norm rather than the infrequent, with many families sharing the load, both financially and at home. Here are some things to think about next time you’re feeling overwhelmed by all those looming responsibilities.

•  You don’t have to do it all! If you have a partner and children who are old enough to help out around the house, then ask them to do more. Most grandparents are also great and always willing to get involved, although they often wait to be asked rather than be seen as intrusive. Use these resources and share the load when possible.
• Let go of the idea that everything has to be perfect. A little bit of mess and chaos never harmed anyone! If the house looks like a farmyard, but the kids are happy and fed then who cares? It makes life easy to be organised, but things won’t always go according to plan and that’s okay.
•  Give up the guilt. Don’t add more to your plate by feeling guilty every time you miss a soccer game or a dance recital. Remember that you are working to give your children the future that they deserve and that you’re setting an amazing example of how to work hard and provide for your family.
• Find some “me-time”. Take a few hours a week to do something without the kids and partner. If this means going to a few yoga classes or having drinks with the girls, then go for it. Your children will benefit from having a happy, healthy mum who takes care of herself.
• Put things into perspective. Don’t sweat the small stuff and try to find humour in those unexpected accidents. In the bigger scheme of things, the warmest memories will be the ones where you didn’t cook a gourmet meal, but ate take-outs on the floor in the playroom.

Enjoy your kids at every age and realise that they don’t need all of your time; they just need doses of quality time where they have mum’s undivided attention ❤