Being a mom is hard, whether you’re a working mom, a work-from-home mom, a stay-at-home mom, or somewhere in between. There’s always something that needs to be done and never enough time to do it all. We’re faced with difficult choices and plenty of sacrifices.
If you struggle with handling your responsibilities as a mother while managing a career, you’re not alone. Moms everywhere are desperately trying to do their best, both at home and at work, and yet they still feel like they’re falling short. I know the feeling all too well and it inspired me to write this post.
I’m sharing career advice that working mothers will find helpful and encouraging.
Career Advice for Working Moms
Let go of mom guilt.
For most working moms, the key to survival is letting go of mom guilt. I know what you’re thinking. Easier said than done, right? Sure, it’s not easy to just bid farewell to your nagging mommy guilt, but it is possible.
Unresolved mom guilt makes it harder to care for your mental health when you’re already dealing with anxiety as a mom. Check out my post on mom guilt for some useful tips on how to overcome it.
Set (and follow) a routine.
Whether you work full-time or part-time, following a routine is a great way to reduce stress. It can also maximize productivity by making sure you get the most important things done without feeling overwhelmed. Creating a morning and evening routine will also benefit your family by giving them an idea of what to expect each day.
As part of your morning routine, I suggest starting each day with a brain dump. A brain dump is a great way to make sense of all the overwhelming thoughts and feelings that are weighing you down. Each morning, write down everything you are thinking about as well as all of the things that need to be taken care of that day. Jot it all down and then work on checking things off throughout the day.
Embrace the mess.
Here’s the thing about motherhood: a lot of it is temporary. Your kids will get older, more mature, and less reliant on you for everyday things. Similarly, you will become more accustomed to the daily demands of your job and more proficient at the various tasks required of you.
If you feel like you’re drowning now, try to remind yourself that it’s only temporary. You might even look back at this time and wish you had enjoyed it a little more while it lasted. As difficult as things might be right now, try to embrace this period for all it is.
Don’t compare yourself to others.
One of the biggest mistakes you can make as a working mom is to compare yourself to the seemingly perfect women on social media. They may seem like they’re rocking the work-life balance with ease. Maybe some of them are, but I can guarantee that most working moms are facing the same struggles as you. They just don’t share them with the world.
Comparing yourself to others is a surefire way to make you feel bad about yourself, even when you’re trying your best.
Outsource what you can.
As a working mom, it’s practically impossible to survive without a little help. Even if you don’t have a village around you to lend a helping hand, you can still outsource various tasks to ease the burden weighing you down.
This is where technology really comes in handy. Rather than spending an hour or two grocery shopping, use an app and then pick up your items curbside. Consider signing up for a meal kit delivery service to make weeknight dinners easier. You can even hire a sitter to watch your kids for a couple of hours a week when you need a little more time to yourself. There’s nothing wrong with getting some help.
Prioritize self-care.
With everything on your plate, it’s easy to forget about taking care of yourself. However, even if you can only afford a few minutes per day, self-care is crucial to your physical and mental health.
Whenever possible, squeeze in some time to do something you love. You can read a book, soak in the tub, get a manicure, enjoy weekly date nights with your spouse, or sweat it out at the gym.
Taking care of yourself allows you to be your best self at home and work.
Be realistic.
It’s impossible to do it all, much less do it all perfectly. For working moms, setting realistic expectations of yourself at home and work is crucial. Constantly trying to do too much not only sets you up for disappointment but also takes a toll on your physical and mental health.
Accept that you’re going to have to make some sacrifices and even then there will be days when you simply can’t get everything done. You’re not perfect and no one expects you to be, so cut yourself some slack and try to be more realistic with your expectations of yourself.
Practice good time management.
Another key to maintaining a successful career as a working mom is proper time management. Time management allows you to maximize productivity and organization so that you can get the most done, whether you’re at home or work. Check out this post for some fantastic time management tips for working moms.
Family doesn’t always have to come first.
Hear me out; yes, your family is the most important thing in your life and you love them unconditionally. But that doesn’t mean that they always have to come first.
Putting your family first every single time, no matter what will eventually wear you down. As I touched on earlier, you have to take care of yourself too. There’s a reason flight attendants advise you to put on your own oxygen mask before helping others in the event of an in-flight emergency.
In terms of your career, there are going to be times when your job has to come first. Maybe you have an important meeting that you can’t miss or a project that a client is waiting on. As a working mom, you have several commitments, one of which is your job. To ensure that you meet professional expectations, you sometimes have to make sacrifices which means your family can’t always come first.
Be present wherever you are.
Last, but certainly not least, try to be present wherever you are. When you’re at work, focus on the tasks in front of you. Set your sights on your to-do list and try to do as much as you can while you’re there. Save any non-work related concerns for when you clock out. The same goes for while you’re at home. Those work emails can wait. Your kids and your spouse need your undivided attention.
Being a working mom is hard, but with these tips it is possible!
You’re not alone. Moms all over the world are trying to maintain a successful career while also raising happy and healthy kids. The good news is that it is possible. Try following some of these tips to see how much of a difference they can make in your life.
For more tips on motherhood, work-life balance, and family life, head over to the blog.
