Motherhood is hard work. It’s long hours, sleepless nights, and difficult conversations about why you can’t just be a “normal” working mom with a 9-to-5 job like your friends who aren’t mothers. You might think that you have no time to yourself — but that’s not true! In order to stay sane while raising children, it’s important that you find some way to take care of yourself and recharge your batteries so that you’re able to give 100% each day.
One of the best things you can do for yourself and your children is to find a strong network of support.
One of the best things you can do for yourself and your children is to find a strong network of support. Talk with friends, family, your partner, bosses and co-workers about work-life balance and what it will look like for you. If possible, find a therapist or coach who specializes in this area. They’ll help you think through what kind of support system will work best for you—and give you insight into how they might be able to help you get there.
Talk frequently with your partner or spouse about how you’re managing, both at work and at home.
It’s important that you and your partner or spouse discuss work-life balance frequently. The more you talk about it, the more likely you are to find balance in your own lives. Talk about how each person is managing at home, as well as at work (or school). It’s important to make sure that everything is going smoothly for both of you. If one of you needs help with taking care of the kids or any other household tasks, be sure to ask for it! Also remember: don’t be afraid to talk about how you feel and what needs to happen in order for both partners in this relationship to succeed professionally and personally.
Have a conversation with your boss or supervisor about what you need to succeed in your job.
If you want to be successful at work, it’s important to have a conversation with your boss or supervisor about what you need to succeed in your job. Here are some tips for having that conversation:
Know that it’s OK to ask for help.
You are not alone. There are many other mothers who feel overwhelmed by the task of balancing work and children, and you can ask for help. You do not have to struggle through every day on your own.
There is no shame in asking others for help with childcare, housework or groceries—and if they do not offer their services freely, make a list of things that need doing around the house (scrubbing toilets, washing dishes) and make it clear to your partner or spouse that you will be taking on some of the responsibilities traditionally assigned to men in order to ensure that everyone feels like they are contributing equally at home.
Know that it’s OK to ask for help.Make time for yourself and your partner/spouse — alone and together.
You and your partner need to make time for yourselves.
Your kids are the center of your universe, but you can’t forget about each other. Even if it’s just for coffee at a local cafe or a walk around the neighborhood together, don’t let work-life balance fall by the wayside. It’s important to make time for yourself as well as your family life — especially when you’ve got kids who are growing up so fast!
Schedule time with friends.
Make time for friends
If you haven’t been able to make friends, now is the perfect time to start. Research shows that women with a strong social network are happier, healthier and less stressed out than those who don’t have strong social support. However, when we become mothers, our friendships tend to fall by the wayside. The pressure of juggling work and family can lead us to neglect our friends or even burn bridges with them because we feel resentful towards them for not understanding how hard motherhood is on us. But if we don’t have other people in our lives who are not related by blood or marriage, then this feeling of isolation will only get worse over time. So instead of focusing on what others aren’t doing for us as mothers — like helping around the house more often — focus on what YOU can do to help yourself!
To make new friends:
Find activities that interest YOU (not just your kids). If there isn’t anything going on at school around lunchtime or after school hours (or during the summer), look online for local mom groups near where you live in case there’s something going on nearby that interests both parents AND kids! Or if nothing else works out then consider making some new friends through Facebook groups such as Parents Who Play Sports or Mommy Bloggers Clubhouse which has over 1 million members worldwide!
Stay connected to the world by participating in activities that interest you — either one-on-one or with a group.
Stay connected to the world by participating in activities that interest you — either one-on-one or with a group. This can mean anything from joining a book club to taking up sewing, from volunteering at an animal shelter to joining an athletic team. It’s important for mothers to stay connected for several reasons:
You deserve to take care of yourself, motherhood is hard enough without taking care of yourself first!
You are not alone. You can’t do everything, but you can do something! If you feel like you need to take care of yourself, then do it.
It’s difficult for women in general to balance work and family life given the demands of both. The Ministry of Labour estimates that almost 30% of Canadian women have experienced a combination of poor work-life balance and lack of flexibility at work.
As a mother, your time is precious—so use your days wisely! Being well rested allows you to be a better mother and wife/partner; being healthy (physically and mentally) allows you to live longer with your loved ones; taking time off from work allows your brain to rest so when it comes back after maternity leave or vacation – it will be fresh!
Conclusion
We all want to be the best mothers we can be. But if you’re feeling overwhelmed, it’s time to take a step back and focus on yourself. This will give you the energy and confidence to get back into balance with your family and career.
Mavericks
