How A Working Mother Can Balance Work And Family

I read a statistics in a New York based website that working mothers contributed to about ½ of the workforce. There was guilt in these mothers that they are able to give only divided attention to work and family as they juggled a full-time work with family life. The key to the balance lay in focusing on a plan and getting organized to find the best balance between parenting and profession.

Some ways to balance work and family life: 

• Working mothers need not feel guilty that they are not able to give adequate time and care to their family; they need to focus on the benefits their family got by their working full-time. You could probably afford better classes and educational opportunities for your children. You need to come to terms with your choices and focus on the priorities of the moment. You could discuss your feelings with your partners or support groups and be a part of local mom’s blogs like Working Moms Against Guilt.   

• A working mother would be much at ease when she is able to find quality childcare; it is best to fix up nannies, babysitters and daycare centers with a history of long-term commitment that was adaptable to children of all age groups.  In case of nannies it is best to schedule play dates where you could easily evaluate how the nanny interacts in formal settings. If you choose a daycare facility, choose one that has employees with a good background, flexible hours, a low teacher-to-student ratio, outdoor space and up-to-date licenses.

• Avoid starting your day on a frazzled note by getting organized the night before; make sure you lay out the clothes necessary for each one’s shower the before night, decide what to make for breakfast and who will do it and keep all bags and backpacks packed right near the door so that they can be grabbed on the way out. Also decide beforehand who will dress up the younger children, prepare the meals and will buy the necessary groceries; all this will leave you with sufficient time with the children before you rush off to work.  

• It is very necessary for family bonding that you make time for the kids both during weekdays and weekends; it could be a family breakfast or family night playing board games. Let these activities fit in your family schedule; make sure to avoid talking about work or on the phone during family outings. Spend quality time together concentrating on the kid’s friends, hobbies and classes; older children can be asked for suggestions regarding family activities.

• Balancing the work-family equation also means nurturing your relationship with your spouse; a monthly date night not only nurtures your relationship, but also rejuvenates both of you enjoying in each other’s company. When a monthly date proves expensive, it would help to schedule some time indoors cooking an elegant meal or just spending time talking about each other, not necessarily children or work.  

• Lastly with flexible time management you could schedule some “me” time; this would not only refresh and recharge you, but would also make you a more effective spouse and parent. This time could be for reading before you retire to bed, treating yourself to a spa day or a bubble bath once in a while or even some yoga class or a hobby. Also remember you need to look after yourself by eating well and taking enough rest. 

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