Juggling Work & Family

Being a working Mom is no easy feat. Juggling the demands of work and family life can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to time management and mom guilt. As a full-time business owner with a 7-year-old daughter, I have faced these challenges firsthand.

Trying to balance work and family obligations can feel like a never-ending juggling act, and it can be hard to find the time for everything that needs to be done. I often feel like I am constantly racing against the clock and struggling to keep up with my to-do lists. I know there are 24 hours in a day but they never seem to be enough! 

My daughter is number 1 priority, my routine is that I work all morning and afternoon until school pick up. When my daughter is home, my concentration is on her; making sure she's fed, washed and homework is done together. After school activities 4 times and week and bedtime stories at 7:30. Once bedtime is achieved it's back on to work for as long as I can manage.

This makes it hard to find much time for self-care and me-time, but honestly it's a sacrifice that I'm happy to take for now. 

Time management is crucial, we have to find a way to balance our work responsibilities with our family obligations. Here are some tips that have helped me manage my time better:

1. Prioritize tasks: Make a list of the most important tasks you need to complete each day, and prioritize them based on urgency and importance.

2. Use a calendar: Keep a calendar to track appointments, meetings, and deadlines. This will help you stay organized and ensure that you don't miss any important events.

3. Set boundaries: Set clear boundaries between your work and family life. Try to avoid taking work home with you, and make sure you set aside time for your family and personal activities.

4. Delegate: If possible, delegate some of your work tasks to other members of your team or outsource them to freelancers or contractors. This will help free up more of your time to focus on family obligations.

Mom guilt is another common challenge that working mothers face. It can feel like a constant weight on our shoulders, reminding us that we're not doing enough for our children or that they're missing out on important moments.

All of these emotions can take a toll on a working mother's mental health and well-being. It's important for us working Moms to recognize these challenges and find strategies to manage them effectively so that we can find a better balance between work and family life.

Here are some tips that have helped me overcome mom guilt:

1. Let go of perfection: Accept that you can't be perfect at everything. You may have to make sacrifices and prioritize certain tasks over others, but that's okay. Focus on doing the best you can and let go of the rest.

2. Quality over quantity: Remember that it's not just about the amount of time you spend with your children, but also the quality of that time. Try to make the most of the time you have with them, and focus on creating meaningful memories and experiences.

3. Communicate with your child: Talk to your child about your work responsibilities and explain why you have to be away from home. This will help them understand why you have to work and will also strengthen your relationship.

4. Take time for self-care: Make sure you take care of yourself both physically and mentally. This will help you feel more balanced and better equipped to handle the challenges of being a working mom.

By prioritizing my tasks, setting boundaries, and letting go of perfection, I've been able to manage my time more effectively and overcome mom guilt. Remember, you're doing the best you can, and that's all that matters. Keep pushing forward, and don't forget to take time for yourself and your family along the way.