Being a Working Mom: The Ultimate Juggling Trick
Women can do anything. This isn’t just a tagline, it is the truth. While the modern woman embodies this message now more than ever, there is no denying that this isn’t an easy path to take. This is especially true when you consider the role of being a working mom.
The main issue for a working mom is that they have to create a fine balance between their kids and their career. Of course, in the real world, it can be difficult to find a perfect equilibrium. This is why several working moms report feeling overwhelmed once they have to go back to work.
Well, it is a new day and you shouldn’t be burning the candle at both ends, while still feeling like a failure. If you want to learn how to maintain this juggling act and your sanity, here is what you need to do.
Tricks for Being a Rockstar Working Mom
Always Prioritize What is Important
Women constantly need to prove themselves. They have to show their bosses that they are as good as any male employee. Simultaneously, they have to prove to their kids that they love them. All the while, moms also have to let society know that they are killing it as modern mothers.
Phew! Talk about exhausting! The truth is that you can’t be perfect all the time – you are human. To use a juggling analogy, it is impossible to keep all the balls in the air at the same time for too long. You are inevitably going to let a couple of them fall.
What you can control, though, is which of these balls you choose to drop. So, take a careful look at your day, week, month, and year. Now, focus on the tasks or responsibilities that are truly important. Pay attention to these issues and let the others fall to the wayside if you must. The main thing is that you have got your eye on what matters when it matters.
Don’t Compare Yourself with Other Moms
Be honest, you have been comparing yourself with other women for as long as possible. It isn’t your fault, it is practically evolutionary, much like considering the competition in the same environment. When you were younger, you may have been comparing looks, intelligence, accomplishments, etc.
This isn’t a tendency that goes away when you become a mother. Rather, it becomes intensified. This is because parents and non-parents alike have opinions about what an ideal mother is. To add to this, blogger moms and moms on social media have raised the stakes even higher.
There isn’t any point in trying to compete with these women or even try to prove that you are an ideal mother. This isn’t a goal that any person can reach. Everyone has their own strengths and faults. In the same vein, stop listening to advice or judgment that has no basis.
For instance, do you need to go back to work a few months after you have a baby? Well, don’t feel guilty about having to stop breastfeeding your little one. Instead, choose one of the best baby formulas on the market. There are plenty of babies who are raised on cow’s milk or goat milk formula and turn out perfectly happy and healthy. You don’t have to constantly compare yourself to women who have breastfed their infants for months and months.
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Use Your Children as a Gauge for How You Are Doing
So, we mentioned that you should stop listening to other adults on what you should be doing as a mother. Instead, you should go to your kids for advice on how you are coping. If they are old enough, have a conversation about how they feel.
Are they happy with the way that things currently are? Do they appear satisfied with how much time you spend with them? Are all their needs being met? If the answers to these questions are yes, then congratulations – you are a good mom! At the end of the day, it is only your kids’ opinions that should count. After all, they are the ones that are largely impacted by your decisions and actions.
Establish Your Support System
You can’t pull this off alone – more importantly, you shouldn’t have to. Although you may not realize it, you have an amazing support system at your disposal. You simply have to reach out and ask for their help.
Now, some people in your support system are more obvious – your partner, for instance. Let them know what you need from them. You also need to learn to let go of the reins a little and let them take over when they need to.
When you are in a pinch, family members are a great support network. They are reliable and you can count on them to pick up the slack. If certain relatives offer to assist you, take them up on that. Just make it a point to give them a heads up before you ask for any favors.
Your friends can certainly help with the kids. However, your friends are an excellent tonic for you as well. With them, you can kick off your shoes, let your hair down, and have some fun. This is an important component in your life and you shouldn’t ignore it.
You should also make it a point to look for other working parents. These individuals can be a veritable gold mine of useful tips and tricks on how to maintain the work-life balance. They can also show you loopholes or legalities when it comes to what you are owed by your employers. If nothing else, you can be certain that they will share your frustrations.
As you can see, there is no need for you to despair. While being a working mom isn’t an easy gig, it doesn’t have to be an impossible one either. Use the guidelines mentioned above to reclaim any balance that you may have lost. In doing so, you can make your kids, yourself, and your employers happy.
