For working moms, their entire life is like performing a balancing act. A working mother is under tremendous stress and pressure as she has to balance her work with childcare responsibilities, a school schedule, and, of course, the availability of the babysitter as well. In addition to these, a working woman also has the responsibility of performing household work like cooking food, etc. Investing in kids and family while pursuing a career at the same time is not a cakewalk. From meeting strict deadlines at work to traveling to reach the office on time and then reaching home on time, a lot of working moms suffer from burnout.
Burnout for working moms is real
- The “burnout gap” between men and women has nearly quadrupled since 2020, according to the 2021 Women in the Workplace Report.
- According to a Maven study, working mothers are 28% more susceptible to burnout than working dads.
Who is a working mother?
A working mother is a working woman who can work full-time, part-time, or even from home while raising a child.
Within this broad category, there are two sorts of working women:
- Mothers who stay at home and work from home
- Women who work outside the home in the office while caring for their children
Work-life balance for moms
When it comes to working moms, the concept of life balance is often misunderstood by many. It’s not a mathematical equation. It’s not about doing everything for the same amount of time. It is about just doing the right thing at the correct time.
Here are some useful ways in which a working woman can create a work-life balance as a working mother too.
Farewell, “Mom Guilt”
- Working mothers frequently confront a particular problem in managing their commitments. They desire to be successful in their work while also supporting their families.
- On the other side, they are strongly attracted to being with their children and serve as primary caregivers.
- For working moms who want to be successful in striking the perfect balance, the first thing to do is say goodbye to the mom’s guilt that they experience.
- Mom guilt is a particularly difficult emotion to confront and overcome. When you miss your son’s sports game or your daughter’s dance recital, you may feel bad. When your child is ill but you need to attend work for a crucial meeting, you may feel guilty.
- If you are a working mom who feels guilty about continuing her profession, think of the advantages it provides to your family’s well-being. You have enough money to save for your child’s education, have family health insurance, and reside in a pleasant neighborhood that has excellent schools.
Talk to your boss or manager
- As a working mother, you will probably be the first person to receive a call from the school for a meeting or from the caretaker if your child is unwell. Sometimes, you may even need to drop them off at school due to the unavailability of the school bus.
- A good boss will recognize that being a working mother does not diminish your value as an employee.
- However, it does imply that you will require greater flexibility at the workplace.
- Make sure your manager is aware of these obligations and how you intend to maintain your outstanding work.
- Hopefully, your boss will see your commitment to your career and family and allow some flexibility.
- Many working moms prefer speaking about their commitments prior to joining a company and get workplace benefits.
Limit the number of distractions
For working moms, time is a valuable asset. Keep an eye out for distractions that might take you away from your priorities at home. You can achieve this by:
- Finish your lunch quickly. Talk to your spouse and children.
- Limiting your social engagement with coworkers.
- Avoiding social networking distractions.
When you’re at home, instead of constantly checking your phone, spend time with your partner and your child. Make the most of your family time.
Building a strong support system around you
Nobody can do everything alone, and working moms are not an exception!
The life of a working mother is quite demanding and mentally exhausting. Maintaining your sanity requires a robust support system.
Who can be a part of your support system?
- Your spouse
- Close friends or colleagues
- Extended family members
These people should recognize your difficulties and be willing to assist you when necessary.
Furthermore, don’t be scared to request assistance from your coworkers or employer. It is critical to realize that you are not alone in this!
Creating a strong support system will help you delegate your responsibilities so that you can minimize the workload.
Don’t forget about your spouse
A good connection is the cornerstone of a happy family life. Go out on date nights doing activities you both loved before becoming parents. Spend quality time with your spouse. Everything else comes easier when you have a solid team.
Set realistic goals for yourself
As a working mother, it is essential to set realistic goals. After all, you are human as well. It is not only difficult to do everything flawlessly, but it may also be harmful to your physical and emotional well-being.
Trying to accomplish too much will result in burnout. Instead, concentrate on making realistic goals for yourself. Setting limits at work and at home is a key aspect of this.
- Create a schedule at home that fits both you and your family.
- Don’t be hesitant to share tasks or seek assistance at work from coworkers.
- Most importantly, remember to plan some “me time” into your hectic schedule to recharge yourself! Most working moms forget about taking care of themselves.
Finding a reliable and trusted child care provider
- Trying to locate a dependable babysitter is one of the most difficult aspects of being a working mother. This can be especially tough if you have small kids.
- It’s essential to prepare early and discover a daycare choice that is convenient for you and your family to avoid last-minute panic.
- You may only need a babysitter for evenings out if you work from home.
- However, if you want full-time care for your child, seek a high-quality daycare with a flexible schedule, a limited number of children, a clean setting, and a valid license.
Is it possible for a working mother to have both a fulfilling career and a happy family life?
It is highly possible, but it might not look absolutely how you imagined.
Recognize and cherish all of the wonderful things that do have, and enjoy each day as it arrives.
Yes, choices must be made, but follow your intuition for you and your family rather than societal norms. And if somebody keeps talking about having discovered the ideal work-home-child balance, remember that life isn’t about trying to be perfectly symmetrical in every domain.
Things are bound to go wrong sometime or the other. You just need to accept it and move ahead.
