As a mom, working while raising your children can feel like an uphill struggle, forever ferrying children to school, clubs or daycare before and after stressful days in the office. Whether you’re working out of financial necessity, you’re the sole bread-winner in your home, or you simply enjoy having your independence by working on your own career, there’s a balance that nonetheless must be struck between earning money and being there for your children. This article takes a look at some of the circumstances in which you can work and play hard, raising a wonderful family as well as bringing in a wage.
Time Management
A familiar concept to moms whether they work or not, managing one’s time when children are in the picture becomes a whole lot more difficult. You’ll need to not only take care of your own essentials, like meals, clean clothing, and time off, but those of your children too. Efficient time management is best achieved through the establishment of a regular routine to which you can fit finding the time to see friends, relaxing and enjoy spending time with your children around life’s necessities. Diaries and online planners can help in this regard.
Employment Rights
The best employers know when to be lenient with their staff, especially if they recognize you’re juggling the responsibilities of family and work. Unfortunately, too often we see that employers take a hard line on what they see as the errant behavior of parents who require the occasional day or afternoon off to help raise their kids. Have an honest conversation about your circumstances with your managers, and always know when to take a stand if the terms of your contract or your civil rights feel violated. If you find you have been treated unjustly, pursuing settlement agreements is a route you can take if you discover your employer has breached either of these contracts.
Planning for Your Kids
Ordinarily, children will either go to kindergarten, daycare or school or, in some circumstances, they’ll have a visiting nanny who takes care of them during the day. Whatever your arrangement, ensure that it’s permanent so that you don’t stress over the time you’re spending away from your children. Daycare can be expensive and, if you take a look at your accounts, you may find that it makes little financial sense to work while paying for such services. Be honest with yourself and ensure you and your children are getting the best deal possible.
Off-Time
Moms need off-time more than they realize, and all too often it’s the first part of life to fall by the wayside when one of your children is in need. You should prioritize your free time highly, valuing the time you get to develop and reflect as a person, as well as hanging out and chatting with friends or colleagues. Splitting your life between work and housework will eventually wear you down, so make sure you’re providing yourself adequate time off to really depressurize after tough days and slogging weeks.
Working moms have a lot on their plates, but hopefully, these tips will help cast some of the anxieties away, planning for a more fulfilled and happy working parenthood.
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