It is completely normal to feel overwhelmed at times as a working Mum, as it can seem impossible to find any kind of balance. Although Mums are superheroes, it is so hard to juggle everything at once. So, we have put together a list of tips to make life easier for working mums! Get ready to not only survive, but thrive as a working Mum, so you can feel more like yourself again.
Have A Well Organised Planner
The first step, although a simple one, is one of the most important. Having a well organised planner can truly be life changing. In your kitchen, have a large family planner that has a decent amount of space for each day. Whenever you make plans, put it straight into your diary. Invest in a good quality luxury leather bag (we all deserve a treat every now and again) to keep a decent sized diary in so you never miss anything. Then, on a Sunday morning, sit down with a diary and write down everything that is happening that week on your big planner for all the family to see.
That might be a family trip to the dentist Tuesday night, after school Football Wednesday, cooking ingredients needed on Thursday and a night out with work on Friday that you have already got a babysitter for. Make a note of how you will get there (e.g. are you driving, your partner, grandparents, train etc), the time you need to be there and anything you need to take.
This way, you will have a clear idea of everything that is happening throughout the week. Doing it on a Sunday morning means that you have plenty of time to run out and get a last minute present for the birthday party you have on Monday or to get emergency ingredients for cooking class. Honestly, this makes a huge difference and can completely transform your week.
Meal Plan
Linked to the last point, we have meal planning. After you have planned out your week, sit down and quickly plan out what you are going to be eating. It is much easier to do this after doing your weekly plan, as you know which evenings you will be in and how many people you will need to cook for that evening. It will also help you decide what you are cooking, as if you all have to be out of the house by 6 ready for a family party one evening then you’ll need something that can be cooked quickly!
This is also a great way to save money and waste. Rather than impulse buying anything and everything at the supermarket, you can plan exactly what you need in advance and only buy those things. You can also add a variety of different fruits and vegetables to your list so your family is eating plenty of nutrients.
You will save time and money when shopping, you won’t have the panic of last minute runs to the shop at the last minute midweek and you will reduce waste. This is such a good tip that benefits everyone!
Know Your Limits
As a working Mum, it is vital that you know your limits. When someone asks you to commit to extra time at work, or an evening out, then you must think about how that will have an impact on your stress levels. There is absolutely no shame in saying no, even if it’s because you have something as simple to do as washing your hair that night. Part of being a good parent is putting yourself first sometimes, as you and your kids will be happier for it in the long run.
You deserve to have time to yourself, so knowing and establishing your limits is vital to managing life as a working Mum. Of course, if you want to go on that night out or work extra hours, you absolutely should if you can, but the important thing to remember here is not to commit to something that is going to make you stressed, overwhelmed or overstretched.
Separate Work and Home Life (When Possible!)
The next important thing to remember is to separate your work and home life. Of course, this is easier said than done sometimes, but you will thrive so much more in both your home and working life if you can separate the two as much as possible.
For example, in the morning you might commit your time until 8:30am to spend time with your children, enjoy breakfast with them and have them dropped at school. Enjoy some peace and quiet on your journey into work and then focus on your job in hand throughout the day. As soon as you’ve finished work, turn off your work phone and enjoy your evening with the children.
This will differ massively depending on the hours you work and the job role, but just remember to prioritise work when you are at work, and your children and partner when you are at home.
Divide Up The Housework
Last but not least, it is essential that you divide up the housework between everyone in the household, which might be yourself, your partner and your children. As soon as your children are old enough to help with a job, you should definitely get them involved, as not only will this help you out and reduce your workload, but it will also teach your children important responsibilities.
Balancing the housework with other people you live with, for example roommates or your partner, will also make your life much easier. Create a list of the tasks that need completing that week and then divide it up between everyone. One of your children might be responsible for collecting everyone’s dirty clothes and creating piles of similar colours ready for the washing machine. Someone else might unload the dishwasher 3 times a week and you do it 3 times a week. Your teenager might be responsible for cleaning the bathroom that they predominantly use.
All of these things might sound small, but trust us, they will add up really quickly and can make your life so much easier.