A Working Mom's Guide to Maintaining Balance

As compared to our mothers and grandmothers, our generation has many more women in the workplace. Most working mothers hardly find a minute of rest because they are too busy juggling their personal and professional lives. On one hand, a working mom is super excited to return to her office and on the other hand, she may feel sad and guilty about leaving her baby in someone else’s care.

In this article, we will discuss certain strategies a working mom can adopt to keep her sanity in place and balance both work and baby.

Get Rid of Your Guilt

It can be heartbreaking for the first time to leave your wailing baby at home while stepping out for work. Think of the bigger picture and do not give up on your career goals. Be confident that you are making the right decision and don’t worry about people who judge you. If you are lucky enough to get a daycare facility at the office then it's appreciable.

To get rid of that mommy guilt you can find childcare for your little one be it a creche, daycare facility, live-in maids, part-time maid, or a nanny. You can freely concentrate on your work when you leave your child with his/her grandparents because they can always keep an eye on the little one and the maid.

Stay away from the Motherhood Penalty

Being a working mom does not mean that you will be a less productive employee but to face some challenges you must maintain open communication with your HR team. You can ask for flexible work hours and negotiate some work-from-home days if possible.

Do not hesitate to ask your manager about places where you can comfortably pump breastmilk and store it safely in the refrigerator. Instead of taking a day off from the office, you must opt for work from home if you are working as a full-time employee in a multinational company.

Find Balance

Juggling between two jobs can take a toll on your work-life balance. It’s important to find an equilibrium and prioritize what’s most important to you. Learn to say no to unnecessary social events and avoid wasting your time on social media. Do not try to do everything all by yourself when you can get help for gardening, cooking, cleaning, and ironing.

Limit long lunch breaks and be mindful if you’re spending too much time socializing with friends or co-workers. Plan a weekend outing with your spouse, close friends, or family. If you both are tired and don’t want to step outside then you can share a cup of coffee by sitting in your gallery and wearing comfortable pyjamas.

Change Cultural Attitudes

As a working mom, the onus is on you to make the struggles of working mothers everywhere visible. So, don’t hesitate in talking about your challenges at the workplace or with your partner and family. Feel free to ask your partner or family members to help you with household chores and childcare because raising a baby is not only a mother’s responsibility.

Similarly, connect with your peers and colleagues and do not hesitate to ask for help or advice from other working mothers in your office. If you have got an unsettled baby then do not hang back to ask support from your office for a flexible work schedule.

Use Time-saving Strategies

In case both spouses are working you must prepare everything the night before to avoid the morning mad rush the next day. You can do half preparation for the next day's meals like cutting vegetables, boiling milk, kneading the dough, etc. You can iron work clothes, prepare office and school bags, prepare the diaper bag of your baby and you can also order groceries and essentials online if you are running low on stock.

If you are investing too much time in preparing complicated meals on the weekdays then it will be tough for you to focus on your baby and your career goals. Maximize playtime with your munchkin by minimizing meal preparation time. You can get a nutritious dinner for your little one by preparing healthy finger foods, crumbled-up hard-boiled eggs, cottage cheese and purees of fruits and vegetables.

Use Calendars and Lists to Stay Organised

Raising a child on top of a full-time job can be a herculean task. So, make use of monthly calendars, sticky notes and to-do lists to organise your daily tasks. Break down your activities into simpler tasks and try to give them only as much time as necessary. Make sure to leave some extra time on your calendar for unprecedented events.

Planning your next day in advance can help you minimise time wastage and stay on top of your tasks. Using the right tools can also help you be more organised and plan your daily tasks. It’s okay if you’re unable to check all the boxes on your to-do list, you’re only human. Take a deep breath, take it in your stride and get going.

Final Thoughts

In today’s fast-moving world, raising a baby and working at a full-time job can bring a deluge of challenges for a working mom. But keeping your priorities clear, decluttering your mind and following some smart strategies can help you ace parenting and work.