Being a working mom is tough for many reasons. You miss your little child all day while you’re at work, you come home tired and still need to save some energy to spend time with that sweet child, as well as uphold the home. It is easy for you to get overwhelmed with everything, which is why finding balance is so vital. Here are some tips for balancing work and motherhood.
Tips for Balancing Work and Motherhood
Understand and embrace the fact that things have changed. The fastest way to mom guilt city is to expect everything to remain as it was with such a massive shift in your family life. You may not be able to do everything at work as before, such as work late, take lots of business trips, etc., and that is OK! Make adjustments where needed and ask your supervisor for flexibility in your schedule. Being able to come in a bit late if your baby kept you up all night is very good for safety and sanity, but also is better for your work product since you will be less stressed out and, therefore, more focused on work.
Keep work at work, but don’t completely leave your family at home. Particularly for a new mom who recently returned to work, leaving your family “at home” is just not possible. This was especially true as a breastfeeding mother since I had to pump every so many hours. My phone was full of baby photos, and I also could pull up the nanny cam app and see my little one at any time I needed to. So do bring pictures and let your office feel like a warm place where you don’t have to forget about your family. Then, focus on your work tasks so you can remain productive. But leave the office work behind when you go home for the day so you can focus on your family when you are home.
Get organized and streamline your routines. Morning and evening routines typically look the same each day, so get a plan together and write it down if you need to. Plan for the next morning the evening before, such as packing lunches and setting out clothing. Not only will this save you from forgetting something important (like setting the coffee pot), you’ll have more time to focus on what matters most.
Find a hobby you love, and make time for it. That’s something so important for moms since there’s always someone who needs our attention. When I do find that precious time to myself, doing something I enjoy helps me recharge and be able to do it all again the next day. For me, that is reading and book clubs. I try to make time for those, even if that means bringing the baby along.
Give yourself grace. Most importantly, be kind to yourself. I allow myself to be imperfect because I know perfectionism is impossible right now. So what if my house is messy? I’d rather spend time with my child than clean all the time. My nails don’t have to be painted. I don’t have to be the supermom who doesn’t exist. I do the best I can, both at home and at work, and I allow myself and others to pat me on the back for a job well done.
How do you maintain balance as a working mom?
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Jane Allen says
I also avoid the perfectionism trap. There’s no way to attain it. So, I do the bit I can do and leave the rest. I don’t compare myself to other moms. I realize I’m on a unique path and I’ll keep pursuing that. Doing this enables me stay sane. And, of course, I read. That’s my favorite past time. I enjoy it and helps me stay grounded.
Julie says
Definitely no way to attain perfectionism, but boy do we think we should huh? I love to read too 🙂 Yay for bookworms!
Pat says
Judging by all the comments and shares, it appears you have struck a chord! Ah, yes, that elusive balance…now where did I put it?!
Thanks for sharing this at Coffee and Conversation last week, Julie…you have no iDEA how I needed the reminder!!
Hoping summer doesn’t leave me behind!!
Julie says
Thanks Pat! Yea this elusive balance likes to hide from us!
Regina L. L. Wells says
Julie, these are thoughtful tips. I particularly like–like so many others–the suggestion to be kind to yourself. We are our own worst critics. Thank you so much for sharing with #ShareTheJoyLinky!
Julie says
We really are our worst critics sometimes. Thanks Regina 🙂
A Moment With Franca says
Great tips. I think you are right we need to be very organised in order to be able to get all ready with anticipation. I’m running out of time lately and I getting a little bit disorganised. I just need to start planning my dates much better. Thank you so much for sharing this at #KCACOLS. So sorry for my late comment 🙂 xx
Julie says
Thanks Franca 🙂 Yea it helps to have a plan, then there’s a bit less stress anyway.
Samantha @ Momma Wants Java says
This is some awesome advice! I love “leave work at work” and give yourself some grace. It’s so hard to find that right balance between work, family, and yourself, but with this advice it’s definitely possible!
Julie says
Thanks Samantha 🙂 It is really hard to find that balance but we do the best we can 🙂
Lisa Pomerantz says
Great post! Thanks for that. I’m the working momma, while the Mrs. has/is the stayat home for Little and Big! We both have struggles, yet its good to hear that other working moms have similar feelings to me. Balance is so tricky and can easily become a slippery slope! TY! #momsterlink
Julie says
It is totally a slippery slope, you’re right there. Us working mamas have a lot to manage for sure.
Stephanie Christie says
Wonderful post! Thank you for this. I am a full-time professional with 6 children in a blended family. It is so important to find the right balance to take care of everyone!
Julie says
Yes, that is a large family to care for and I can see balance being a delicate thing to maintain. Thanks Stephanie!
blabbermama says
I’ll have to do this soon after I come back from maternity leave and I know it’ll be an emotional struggle. Thank you for the tips no doubt they will come in handy! I especially like keeping work at work but your family can come with #momsterslink
Julie says
Thanks Blabbermama. Coming off maternity leave was one of the hardest things! *HUGS*
laura dove says
I don’t work as such, although I would call being a mum to four work, but I do blog and I think it’s important to find the right balance with that too. These are really good tips, I cant imagine how difficult it is juggling a job and children, I admire anyone who does that! #momsterslink
Julie says
You’re right that blogging takes balance too!
Talya says
These are great tips. This is such a tough one to balance – I am still trying! Thanks for linking up to #coolmumclub lovely lady x
Julie says
Thanks Talya! It is a daily event, is it not? heh
Kerry says
I’m still trying to find the balance! Organisation is definitely key, but unfortunately my work hours as a vet aren’t flexible so I spend a lot of time trying to juggle everything. #KCACOLS
Julie says
Yea my hours aren’t too flexible either working in an office environment, so I juggle a lot too. It isn’t easy, but we can do it!
Savannah says
A hobby is soooo important to get a break from all the demands and just have time to yourself. I also love the ‘keep the work at work’ tip. Work can be exhausting and stressful, and it’s so easy to drag that home-but it ruins your mood! I think balance is so incredibly important, and this is a wonderful post! Thanks for sharing <3 #KCACOLS
Julie says
Thanks Savannah! Definitely don’t want to be carrying work stress around home with me.
Kayleigh @ Sugar in My Texas Tea says
I shared this with my mommy group. I don’t know how you ladies do it. You’re having it all! Meanwhile, I’m still in my jammies.
Julie says
Thanks for sharing Kayleigh!! 🙂
I spend a lot of my weekends in my sweats/jammies. Totally.
Jen says
Love this Julie, it is so hard to balance it all as a working mom. So your tips are so important, thank you so much. Shared for other moms! #KCACOLS.
Julie says
Thanks for sharing, Jen 🙂
Claire at Tin Box Traveller says
Preparing things the night before has saved me from being late for nursery and work many a time. Unexpected things always happen, but if you can get ahead with the things you can control it makes all the difference. Great tips! #KCACOLS
Julie says
Definitely controlling what you can makes things easier. Thanks Claire!
Loretta says
I always recommend a hobby when I’m helping other people with their virtual assistant business. They always think it odd at first, but it really is one of the best tips. Having a hobby gives you an outlet to get rid of your day’s stress, which is double important when you’re working from home because when you leave work you’re still at home and you need to transition from one frame of mind to another. It’s never easy and anything you can do to lower stress and provide a barrier is a good thing.
Julie says
True, working from home is a different story because it is harder to draw that line. Good idea to recommend a hobby transition.
Emma says
great tips – organization is absolutely key here! #KCACOLS
Angela K. Hill says
This list is spot on. And I love that it ends with grace. The last seven months at my job have been super challenging and a lot of it was due to the fact that I lost my work life balance. It was all about fitting my life into work, as opposed to fitting my work into my life.
Doing something you love, blogging, reading, hiking, they all help you get centered after spending your day working and having to muster the energy to be the mom at home that you want to be.
Julie says
Thanks Angela, yes losing that balance makes everything so much more stressful. I’m glad you’re finding it again and are back to blogging 🙂
Kerry says
Finding balance can be so tricky! These are great tips though. I work from home and need to remember some of these. Being organized is a huge help for me.
Julie says
Thanks Kerry 🙂 Yes, having an organized system makes things easier to keep up with for sure.
Jasmine Almeida says
Balance is so important to overall happiness!
Julie says
Very much so!
Rachelle Rosenblit says
These are great tips! I struggle with this for sure. Thank goodness summer break is coming up and this tired teacher can relax and focus on family.
Julie says
That is a perk of a teacher’s life for sure!
Tori says
Finding your balance between work and family is sooo hard. Your tips are so hekpful thanks so much for sharing!
Tori
Julie says
Thanks Tori! It is definitely a daily struggle to find that balance.
Eryka spera says
Great tips! I recently went part time, however the blogging makes it feel I’m still full time.
Julie says
Hmm well I work full time AND blog so… I think I’m working too many hours haha
Laura @ Dot Makes 4 says
Great tips! I love the “keep the work at work”. When I was working, it was sometimes hard to forget about it, but I learnt to leave it at the door and just enjoy the time with my son.
Laura xx
Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next Sunday 🙂
Julie says
Thanks Laura! 🙂
Healing Mama says
I love the give yourself grace part. That is so true. Also, the nannycam is a great way to stay connected throughout the day!
Julie says
Yes! I love being able to just check in during the day.