12 tips to achieving great balance as a working mom
Author: Nelly Alba
Date: 12/11/22
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Balance can look different for everyone. You need to first establish what a balanced work and life schedule looks like for you. Create a vision board on how you would like your days, weeks and months to run.
Balance could mean that you have enough time for your family and your job without feeling too burnt out or overwhelmed. It could also mean that you have time for your friends and for yourself. More so, you do not dread waking up every day because of the million and one things that you need to do. Instead, you wake up confident and grateful to be alive and able to do your different daily tasks. Below I outline 12 tips towards achieving balance as a working mom.
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WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO FIND THIS?
When you feel well-balanced you start to really love what you do on a daily basis! This way you can give your full self to the people around you both at work and in your personal life. When you have balance then you can appreciate all the small moments with your kids and at work. You are looking forward to what is next. Lastly, you are healthy – both in mind and body. You are taking care of yourself and therefore able to take care of others.
12 TIPS TO HELP YOU ACHIEVE BALANCE
1. Plan Your Day, Week and Month
Write EVERYTHING you need to do down! With your partner, you can do a monthly brain-dump either at the end or beginning of the month. Afterwards, do a weekly brain dump where you write down your top priorities, to-dos, appointments etc. Then you can begin to plan out which items you will complete on which days.
You will have daily to-dos (something you do every day like dishes) and then once a week tasks (for example: meal prepping on Sundays). When you write everything down for the week, it makes it then a lot easier to go back to it and figure out on which day(s) you can/want to do what. When you subscribe, I provide a FREE mom weekly and daily planner!
As working moms there is a lot to manage and you do not want to be keeping track of everything in your head and accidently forget something really important. It is also best when you can visualize what you need to do and review it weekly and daily.
2. Find You Time
This is at the top of the list! If you do not take care of yourself then you will not be able to take care of your tribe at home and at work. When you are not meeting your own basic needs then the quality of what you do for others is weak. Prioritize yourself!
Really, honestly, do it! It does not need to be 2 hours long. Fit it into your schedule. This ties into my previous point of planning your week and day. In that planning, include when and how you will be taking care of yourself.
3. Set Boundaries Between Work and Home
You will need to establish your boundaries in order to be present within each factor of your life. Otherwise, you will not be giving 100% of yourself. You do not want to miss work deadlines while you also do not want to miss your child’s birthday party.
Set those boundaries! Make a list of what you do not want to compromise, communicate those needs with the right people and take the necessary steps to follow through with them.
4. Learn To Say No
You cannot do it all (at the same time!). There are times when you will have to say no. Whether that is attending a work event or being asked to work on a holiday. This is connected to setting boundaries! Once you know your boundaries then you can establish where you may have to say no to something.
I know some of us really struggle with this but it’s the only way that you do not over-extend yourself or let someone down.
5. Set Daily Routines
You will want to set up a few daily routines. Due to work, I have both a morning and evening routine. By doing this I make sure to check off important daily tasks and can predict what is coming next in my day.
Without my routines, my day would be a complete MESS. These are the systems that will create less stress. This way I know what I need to do in the mornings, so I am not worried while at work and when I get home.
6. Prep Family Meals
This one is huge! We all got to eat. If you do not prioritize this, then you will get take-out food 90% of the time. Pick a day or two in the week to prepare meals for the following 2-3 days. You can pick a time before or after work to make it and have it all set. It will be one less worry on your list. Or do a big batch of meals on the weekend so you do not need to worry about it during the week.
7. Wake Up Before Everyone Else
This sets the tone to your day. I cannot recommend this enough. Even if it is just 15 minutes before. That way you start the day less chaotic and more honed into positive energy. I also use this as a way to have some me time! Plus, it’s how I manage to get my 3-4 workouts in a week. Try it out.
8. Make Sure You Love Your Job
Okay I know many of us feel we do not have a choice with the job we currently have because the bills need to be paid somehow. If that is you, start trying to figure out what type of job and/or career would make you happy and work towards that. If you hate your job, then you will hate not being home and continue going down a spiral road of negative energy.
9. Be Healthy
This can look differently for all of us. But drink a glass of water in the morning. Go take a walk outside or sit on your porch. Breathe outside air! Take out your yoga mat and do a light workout. It is so important to not just take care of our mind but our bodies too. That also includes what vitamins we take (ask your doctor) and what foods we consume. Be mindful of the little things.
10. Stay Positive and Grateful
Your way of thinking about your life is what is ultimately MOST important. It is great if you can create a schedule and prepare meals BUT if you continue to just say you hate this, hate that…then you will never find happiness and/or balance.
You need to change the way you speak about your to-do lists. Instead of saying I need to do this, say “I get to do this!” Be grateful for what you have and everything else will make sense. And I know this is not easy – I’ve been there/ am there – but do not give up on finding this place.
11. Create Room for Flexibility
Not everything will go as planned, and that is okay. Maybe your child gets sick, and you need to tend to them OR you have a meeting that is running late. You cannot let these things create a greater headache for you. They may happen. Just figure out a system to address issues or changes as they happen so that everyone at work and in your home is on the same page.
12. Communicate/ Ask for Help
Communicate, communicate, communicate. Talk to your support people. For me that is my partner in crime. He stays home with the kids, so I need to make sure I communicate effectively and ask for help when needed. That may mean your daycare or a grandparent who is providing childcare.
Do not be afraid to ask them for help when you need it! We all need a lending hand at some point (or various points) when working and raising little ones. And many times, there are people who want to help (you do not need to do everything alone).
WHAT DOES THIS ALL MEAN?
When you reach a point of balance with work and your personal life, your attitude changes. It makes such a huge difference, not just for you but your performance at work and the quality time spent at home with your kids and the family. Create those routines, stay healthy, stay positive and ask for help when needed.
You got this!
Are you ready to find that balance? What do you need to work on? What are you doing well with?
Comment below.
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