Working parents aren’t an unusual occurrence. People are driven by the will to provide their kids with a secure and prospective future. What they shouldn’t forget is children’s happiness too. Being a working mom and being successful at both work and home can be tough, but it isn’t impossible. It’s actually very satisfying once you learn how to organize your time and chores. Having a career and healthy and happy kids is worth every respect if you only have one of those, but if you have both, there’s nothing that can stop you. With these easy-to-follow steps, you’ll be able to have the best of both worlds and enjoy your time at home and in the office.
Determine your priorities and set goals
However challenging being a working mom can get, you can always find ways to make your life easier but get better results. You should start thinking about your priorities. Ask yourself what you want to get and how you can get it. No matter if you’re thinking of your private or professional priorities, the question is the same. Picture your optimal goals and then try to set specific ones related to your priorities. This will help you stay focused and motivated. You can change them along the way if there’s a need for that.
Create a routine
Creating a routine will help you get through the days easier. Scheduling the meals, work time, homework time, and playtime will all be beneficial for your time management. Knowing in advance when you do the dishes and when kids go to bed will help you keep up the good work. It’s a kind of a safe place when you know for sure what time the activity is set to and how much time you’ll spend on it. Of course, unexpected things are common in life, especially with children. Even with unexpected changes to your life, it’s easier knowing that some things are regular and that you can make it through the day.
Simplify
As a working parent, you have to simplify things. This applies to setting goals too. You have to come to terms with the fact that your life is going to be constantly full of excitement. You don’t want to approach the situation too ambitiously and let the circumstances lead to a burnout. It’s better to stay humble and set some realistic goals. You also need to understand that you probably won’t be able to cook dinner every night and that your significant other can step in whenever you need him to. Try to make agreements and compromises when it comes to cleaning, doing the laundry or helping with homework. Your job may not allow you to go to every parent-teacher meeting, but you don’t have to attend every single one of them.
Develop a support network
Being successful both in parenthood and on work can be a demanding task. It won’t happen overnight and it won’t be easy. The most important thing is that you’re willing to succeed and make lots of compromises. You need to be able to always give your best in both areas. Having a support network will help you a lot since that way you’ll have better mental health. Having someone to talk to is crucial, especially, if your days can get very stressful. Being a mom and running a business must carry a lot of stress. Look for people who’ll be there to advise you or just listen to your complaints. They will benefit not only you but your child too.
Organize your finances
Speaking of stress, money is one of the biggest stressors out there. Your job will often require expenses and having a child also means spending lots of money. You need to organize your finances well to avoid any headaches related to it. Make sure you have no debts. If you do have debts, work on repaying them first. Try to improve your financial situation with fixed income investments. Ask for professional advice and work on your finances. Be patient and gradually work to get the best results. As your child grows older, so will the expenses, so approach the question of your finances smartly and carefully.
Make plans and organize your time
Being a mom and a businesswoman is tiring and it can get annoying, but it’s always rewarding. The key to success is a well organized and planned schedule. You should write everything down. Use planners and calendars. The best idea is to use the same calendar for private and business plans. This way, you can be sure that no overbooking or doubling up ever happens. You are bound to have a busy schedule, but neatly keeping track of every planned activity or meeting will help you a lot. Time is precious and everyone wants to use it in the best possible way. This is what you should strive to do, too. Make the most of your time at work, to have enough time to spend with your family.
Work smarter not harder
Approach your time management more strategically. Remember that your family time and your career time have to be coordinated. Don’t spend more hours than necessary in the workplace. You don’t want to burn out. Always think of your kids. They will be grateful for your money, but that’s not all they want from you. Your love, support, and presence in their lives is much more important. Show them that you care by being there. Work hard for their future, but don’t forget to be there in their present.
Set aside time for your kids
As a parent you have a ton of daily chores. When you run a business too, the number of chores can just double. Your kids have tons of chores too. School, football matches, plays – their lives can be pretty exciting too. The most important thing for a working mom is to always set aside time for her kids. Spending time with them will mean the world to your kids. Playing, talking, and participating in any kind of event. Depending on the age of the kids, you can read a book together, go for a walk or play with dogs and cats. The activity you’re going to opt for isn’t important. What’s important is that you’re spending time and creating stronger bonds with your kids.
Take time for yourself
No child wants a constantly nervous and exhausted mother. The way you feel will largely impact your children. They don’t just listen to you while you’re raising them; they’re looking at your example and they’re following it. If you want a happy and successful child, you should be a happy and successful mother. It’s not a sin to set some time for yourself. Even if it’s just twenty minutes of meditation a day, it’s still something that helps you recharge your batteries. Go for a walk on your own, see some friends, or read a book – whatever works for you. Make sure that you’re relaxed and calm to be able to always assess the problems, be it at home or in the office.
Be consistent
Consistency is great since it helps you stay disciplined. You need to be disciplined both at home and work if you want to be successful. No one knows discipline better than moms. A mom entrepreneur, especially, has to be disciplined. It’s not rare that people think that a woman can’t be dedicated to her job and family. There is no reason to think this. Being a mom can motivate and help with focus. Moms are driven by an unstoppable force and there is nothing they can’t do. Whether you have a ton of work for the next day, or you have to babysit all night, you have to know your capabilities and always do your best.
Be honest
Honesty is very important I you want to be a good mom and a good entrepreneur. Your kids, as well as your co-workers, should respect you. You can earn their respect easily. You should just be honest. Everyone in the office will know you have children at home and they will have understanding for you if any emergency occurs. Your kids, too, should be aware that you have a professional life that carries certain responsibilities. If you can’t make it to a school play due to a crisis at work, tell it to your kids. Help them develop empathy and understanding for all your duties that might take some of your time. Build trusting relationships in every sphere of your life and they will have a positive impact on your success as a mom and as a businesswoman.
Ask for help
Even with the best possible organisation, you’ll find yourself overwhelmed. Having two different social roles with all the responsibilities related to them isn’t easy. You shouldn’t feel uncomfortable asking for help when you realise you need it. The situations in which you’ll need help are numerous. If both you and your partner have to work, ask someone in the family to babysit or hire a babysitter. If you don’t have time to mow your lawn, pay someone to do it. Don’t shy away from asking for help at work too. If you can’t make it to a meeting because your child has a high temperature, ask someone to replace you. Seek help from a mental health worker if you find yourself under constant stress and start feeling hopeless.
Stay positive
One of the most obvious things to do, but also one of the toughest things to do is to stay positive. Remaining a positive attitude makes a huge difference. You need to remember that your goal in life is to be happy. Your family and your career should help you achieve that feeling of happiness. It may be hard sometimes to smile after a long day of work, but you should do your best. However stressful your day can get, you shouldn’t forget your motives. Genuine motivation will help you get through any kind of day and help you bring happiness into the lives of your children and co-workers.
Nurture your relationships
If you’re looking for ways to increase your productivity at work, take a day off and spend it with your family and friends. This might sound contradictory, but it isn’t; it actually makes a lot of sense. Having healthy relationships with people in your life can be a source of satisfaction and motivation. Look at socializing with your favourite people as a kind of fuel. You will be absorbing all the positive energy and preparing for new challenges. Knowing how to act in crises is crucial for a mom entrepreneur. Make sure that you don’t neglect your friends ever and enjoy all the positive impact these friendships can have on you.
Draw a line between private and personal
Mixing different areas of your life can be bad and lead to a state of constant confusion. The best thing you can do is to draw the line between your family and professional life. You can do this literally. For example, you can listen to music on the way home, from work. If you always do this, your brain will automatically switch from work mode to home mode. This can be beneficial since you relate one set of emotions to your home and a different one to your work. By having a clear line between those realms, you’ll be able to put the most effort in each of them. It will also help you focus and be more efficient in everything you do.
Conclusion
If you make circumstances work for you, nothing is impossible. Being a good mother and a good entrepreneur starts with a good organization of time. From that point on, everything is easier; you know when you work when you play with kids, and when you prepare meals. If you set time aside for your alone time and time with friends, you definitely won’t have problems, and you’ll be ready to take on any kind of challenge.
