Being a mom and having a successful career can be challenging. It seems like there aren’t enough hours in the day to get it all done. It can be tough trying to balance it all, but it’s definitely not impossible. In fact, there are plenty of successful career moms out there who can teach us a thing or two about how to manage it all. Read on for tips from other working moms on how to have a fulfilling career while still being a fantastic mom.
1. Don’t be afraid to ask for help
It’s ok to ask for help! There are plenty of people who would love to lend a hand. Delegate tasks wherever possible and don’t be afraid to ask your partner or family members for help when you need it.
Your partner can pitch in too. If you’re both working, there’s no need for you to take on all the household tasks alone! “My husband and I also have a good system in place where we rotate chores / kid duties,” says one mom of two young kids. “For example, he will do dishes and make school lunches after dinner while I bathe the kids.”
So don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it and outsource tasks that are not critical for you to do yourself (like sending your laundry out or ordering your groceries if you can afford to). It’s worth it to be able to spend a little extra time with your family after work!
2. Create a schedule and stick to it as best you can
It’s important to have some structure in your week, otherwise it can all start to feel like one big blur. By creating a schedule, you’ll be able to make the most of your time and avoid feeling overwhelmed.
“The key for me has been to create a schedule and stick to it as best I can,” says another working mom. “I do meal planning and make my grocery list on Wednesday, so I know what I’m making and how much. Then I carve out 2 hours on Sunday to cook ahead for the entire week.”
Of course, there will be times when things don’t go according to plan. But having a schedule will help you stay on track overall and make sure that you’re making time for all the important people and things in your life.
3. Take time for yourself
It’s so important to make time for yourself, even if it’s just a few minutes each day. Whether you use that time to read, take a bath, or just sit in silence, it will help you recharge and be a better mom and allow you to focus better on work.
“I need lots of alone time, so my husband and I agreed that Sundays are “my” day,” says one working mom. “Every Sunday I disappear for a few hours to do whatever I feel like (which is usually reading at a coffee shop). I highly recommend taking a few hours for yourself every week!”
So make sure to schedule some “me time” into your day, even if it’s just ten minutes. You’ll be glad you did!
4. Find a job that gives you flexibility
Working from home is a great way to have more flexibility in your schedule. If you can find a job that allows you to work from home at least part of the time, it will make your life a lot easier when you need to drop off a forgotten lunch at school or pick up a sick kid.
“I’m so grateful that my job allows me to work from home,” says one working mom. “It’s been such a lifesaver and gives me so much time back in my week that I don’t have to spend commuting.”
If you’re not able to find a job that allows you to work from home, see if there are any other ways that you can create more flexibility in your schedule. Maybe there’s an opportunity to telecommute one or two days per week, or negotiate a flexible start and end time. Every little bit helps!
5. Find a support group or online community of other career moms
It can be helpful to find a group of other moms who are in the same boat as you. They can offer support, advice, and understanding that only someone who is going through the same thing can provide.
“All of my mom friends stay at home with their kids. I was feeling really isolated so I found an online community of other working moms and it has been so amazing,” says one mom. “We can commiserate with each other, offer advice, and just generally support each other.”
So if you’re feeling isolated or like you’re struggling to manage it all, reach out to others who are in the same situation. You’ll be glad you did!
6. Accept that things won’t always be perfect and learn to roll with the punches
One of the most important things for career moms to remember is that things won’t always be perfect. There will be days when the house won’t be clean, or when you have to turn down a project or miss a soccer game. And that’s OK!
“I’ve had to learn to accept that things won’t always be perfect,” says one mom. “I just stopped doing things. I dropped some of the kids’ activities, I let go of some of the things I felt obligated to do but no longer loved like making all our own bread.”
So if you’re feeling guilty about not being able to do everything, remember that it’s OK! You’re doing the best you can, and that’s all anyone can do.
We hope these tips have been helpful. Visit HireThisMom for more career advice specifically tailored for moms. Hire This Mom is a career mom blog and career coaching service for working moms. Founded in 2020 by a Fortune 500 executive and mom of two under five, we help moms to have rewarding careers without sacrificing time with their families.
Photo by Hello Revival on Unsplash
