More and more awesome moms are professionals in the workforce while also managing their home and children. Some do it because they love their career, and others do it because they need to.
It’s a tough balance between work and home, and there is no cookie cutter way to be successful in both areas — but it is possible.
Here are some tips that will help you balance your career and parenting — and also help you decide which working style is best for your family:
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Work From Home or Work Part-Time
This will not work for everyone, although your employer could be surprisingly open to the idea of you working from home. In fact, about half of the positions in the workforce are compatible with at least some telecommuting, and up to 25% of working individuals do conduct telework to some extent.
Working from home is no longer unheard of, and it’s quite possible with modern technology. It gives you the freedom to manage your own hours and spend more time with your kids.
If you can’t work from home, try to cut back on your hours all together. Not every home can be sustained by one income, though. So if you want to try to work part-time, look at your budget and find a way to reduce your bills. There are ways to pay less for insurance, phone plans and even energy bills.
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Leave Work at Work
As soon as you walk inside your home, put your thoughts about work aside. Don’t open your laptop. Don’t look at paperwork. Make your home a place for family and fun, not your job. Sometimes in order to balance your career and parenting, you need to separate the two completely. Wherever you are, be all there. Your kids will notice and appreciate it.
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Stop Trying to Please Everyone
It’s impossible to make everyone happy all of the time, so you should just stop trying now. Do your best at work and do your best at home. That’s all that anyone can ask of you. You can’t always make your kids happy all the time.
However, you can make your kids responsible members of the household. Even the smallest child can take on a chore like dusting. Give them responsibilities to help out around the house so you can spend more time with them, instead of spending more time cleaning. Don’t let guilt trick you into thinking that always striving to make them happy will be good for them.
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Don’t Feel Guilty
Remember this: You are not alone. You are not the only woman who is working because her family needs the money. You are not the only woman who loves her career. Think about how you are helping to provide for your family, or maybe your kids have more opportunities because of the income you make. Your kids will know what it means to have a hard-working mother who loves them, and you are a great example to them. If guilt is overwhelming you, check out a support group for moms like you.
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Easier Mornings Make Better Days
A hurried breakfast on-the-go, forgotten backpacks and rushing out the door is no way to start your day. Get yourself and your kids organized the night before your busy morning. Check homework, pack lunches, layout everyone’s clothing and decide what’s for breakfast before you go to bed. A more relaxed morning means extra time with your kids, free of frustration.
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Practice Self-Care
Take care of yourself before you take care of anyone else. Organize your schedule, get that cup of coffee and quiet time in the morning or do whatever you need to do. You can’t properly parent your children if you are not taking care of yourself. You’ll lose patience, and everyone will get frustrated. If you don’t have the time to practice self-care at home, try doing it work.
Success at work and at home is absolutely possible. However, it’s not an exact science, and it’s different for everyone. You’ll need to find the combination that works best for you, so be patient if it doesn’t happen overnight. It will happen, and your life, along with everyone else’s, will be much more satisfying.
What tips do you have for balancing your career and parenthood? Share them in our comments section below!
Savannah Hemmings is a lifestyle blogger and personal stylist. She has a passion for equal wages, guacamole and chickory coffee from New Orleans. When she isn’t writing about her favorite design trends, you can most likely find her training for her latest marathon.
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