Three tips for the working mum to help you have a good work-life balance

As a working mum, you have to grapple with many emotions. There’s mum guilt, when you have to leave your young one with the nanny so you can go to work. There’s the fear that your child will forget you, a fear that sometimes transforms into reality when your child calls you ‘auntie’. Some mothers worry about not being there for their husbands.

But you needn’t worry. It’s possible to have a good work-life balance. Below are a few tips that will help reduce your fears and achieve more.

Silence the guilt and be kind to yourself

It is normal to worry about all that you have to do both at home and at work. There’s the constant fear that you might miss out on your child’s milestones.  When that little voice tells you you’re the worst mother in the world, silence it.

If there are people around you who constantly make you feel guilty for your life choices, cut off that friendship. Surround yourself with people who encourage you instead.

When you feel overwhelmed, cry, go for a walk, talk to a friend or trusted family member. If things at work get too heated, take a break, leave it for the next day when you are less anxious and have a new perspective of the task at hand.

Write down your reasons for going back to work. If possible have a vision board which you place somewhere you are sure to see every day. By focusing on your end goal, you will find it easier to bear the sacrifices you are forced to make by being a working mum.

Get organised

A detailed to-do list will help you keep track of everything you need to do. Have a running list of daily, weekly, monthly and yearly tasks. Ensure that your list includes things that you need to do for you like your hair appointment, or a coffee date with your friend. Sometimes the only way for you to remember to have a life is to schedule it. There’s so much satisfaction in checking off completed tasks.

If you can, automate certain tasks. This will reduce the number of things that you have to remember to do.

Do as much as you can the night before. Pick out a whole week’s worth of your work outfits over the weekend. Ensure your children’s uniform is ironed and laid out. Pack snacks and lunches and refrigerate ready for the morning rush. You will be less frazzled in the morning and start your day off nice and calm.

Ask for help

There is no shame in enlisting help. Hire a househelp to help with the chores. Ask your relatives to chip in whenever they can.

Your spouse too is might need reminding that you can’t do it all. Ask him to make the bed, watch the kids as you cook, supervise homework, etc. Discuss and come to an agreement on who does what in the home. Don’t ever assume that he knows that you need help.

Enlist older children to help around the house. They can make their beds, clean their room, clear the table after meals, etc.

You don’t have to be chair of every committee that is set up in your workplace or child’s school. There will be things that you will have to forego from time to time. Remember, it’s okay to admit that you can’t do it. Nobody expects you to do it all.