Reasons Why Working Moms Struggle with Work-Life Balance
The term work-life balance is often used concerning the balance that individuals attempt to maintain between their professional and personal lives. There are many ways in which people try to achieve work-life balance, and there are no set rules on how this should be achieved. However, people need to find a way of achieving it that works for them. This article will provide some insights into why working moms struggle with work-life balance.
As more women enter the workforce, there is a clear increase in the number of working moms. In addition to juggling their work-life balance, they also need to manage childcare and many other responsibilities that working dads don't have. Below, there are 26 easy ways you can balance work and life, so you don’t lose your mind and protect your mental health
26 Ways to Find Better Work-Life Balance as a Working Mom
Working mothers are often faced with the dilemma of work-life balance. Achieving this balance can be a challenge for women who want to spend more time with their children.
1) Set SMART goals for work-life balance.
Your work-life balance is important, so make sure you are setting yourself up for success. Do you know what your work-life balance goals are? SMART goal setting can help you identify the results you want to achieve in different areas of your life and take the steps to achieve them.
2) Know what you want.
Before you attempt to find a work-life balance, you must know what kind of lifestyle will make you happy. Do you want to have more time for yourself? Do you want more time for your family? Or do you just want more time in general? Figure out the answer before anything else and then figure out how to get there.
3) Work-life balance is not impossible.
Work-life balance can seem like an impossible goal to reach. But it doesn't have to be. Making compromises in different areas of life is the key to success in finding a good work-life balance.
4) Being conscious about work and life.
The balance between work and home life can be hard to maintain with children. It is essential to be aware of what you are doing and make conscious decisions about how much time you spend at work.
5) Strive to gain an understanding of your work-life balance.
You need to know what you want from your career, what you want for your children, where you want them to grow up, how much time you want to spend with them, what kind of lifestyle you want, etc.
6) Build your support network.
It is also important for working moms to have a supportive work environment that will allow them to take care of their children when they are sick or go on business trips.
7) Create a routine for your day, so you can manage your time better.
Creating a routine for your day can take all the guesswork out of your daily life. Setting specific hours for each task will allow you to manage your time better and get more done.
8) Set boundaries for yourself, such as only checking email in the morning and not after 7 pm or on the weekends.
It's easy to feel like we need to be available 24/7 for your boss, but the truth is that you need to set boundaries. When you check email after 7 pm, it can lead to a sense of anxiety and stress. Not only that but checking your email before work can result in feeling overwhelmed and not being able to focus on what you should be doing for the day.
9) Take care of yourself by doing things like getting enough sleep and exercising.
Take care of yourself by doing things like getting enough sleep and exercising. Sleep regulates hormones and helps the body maintain a healthy weight while exercising helps with stamina, depression, anxiety, and stress.
10) Take care of your family by spending time with them and making them feel loved.
Spending time with your family is so important. "Quality time" doesn't have to be reserved for one-on-one relationship building. It can be as simple as a walk in the park or sharing a meal. It's not about quantity, but about quality and creating an experience that will resonate with your children for the rest of their lives.
11) Try to have dinner as a family as often as possible.
Eating dinner together as a family is one of the most important moments of the day. You and your loved ones can share what's happening in your lives with each other without distractions.
12) Delegate responsibilities at home and work.
This will allow you more time for yourself and help you avoid feeling overwhelmed by all the tasks of running a home and raising a family. You can delegate tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and laundry to free up time for your pursuits. For example, you could ask your spouse to cook dinner so that you can spend more time on other things like reading a book or catching up on your favorite television show.
13) Seek online or in-person mentors and support groups.
These groups provide support and accountability to working mothers who need help with work-life balance.
14) Put boundaries around your time spent on social media and limit your screen time when you are home.
It's important to put boundaries around your time when you're on social media. For example, you could set a limit on how often you check your social media accounts or how long you spend on them each day. It’s also good to put limits on what time of day you use social media so that it doesn’t interfere with your sleep schedule or other daily routines.
15) Make sure that your work schedule is not too demanding.
Working too hard can take a toll on your health and lead to burnout. It can lead to stress and exhaustion which may cause you to make bad decisions. While it may seem like you are more productive when working long hours, the truth is that if you don't take a break and get some proper rest, your productivity will suffer.
16) Try to have a set time for when you will stop working each day and stick with it.
It is important to have a set time for when you will stop working each day and stick with it. Setting a time to stop work can help you avoid the temptation to work late into the night. It can also help you avoid the temptation of checking your phone or computer when you are not working.
You should find what works for you and start there. You may find that stopping at 5 pm every day works best for your schedule, or that stopping at 9 pm every day works best for your schedule.
Regardless of what time it is, make sure that it is a set time so that you do not have to think about when to stop work each day.
17) Don't let the guilt of not being able to spend enough time with your children get in the way of your career goals.
The guilt of not being able to spend enough time with your children should never get in the way of your career goals. You can always find a way to make it work and find balance for both your family and career goals.
18) Always keep in mind that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to work-life balance.
There is no single approach to achieving work-life balance. It's important to find out what works best for you and your lifestyle, whether that be a healthy work-life balance or something more extreme like working in an office with a live-in nanny.
19) Be honest with yourself.
Accept that there will always be some trade-offs between work and family time, but if you do it consciously, it will be easier to find a balance. You can't always have everything you want. But, with conscious decision-making, it will be easier to find a balance.
20) Take care of your partner.
It’s important to make sure that your partner feels supported too so they can take care of their own needs. Feeling supported is an important part of every relationship. When one person in a relationship feels supported, there’s a greater chance they’re going to be able to take care of themselves and their own needs. Everyone in the relationship needs to take care of the other person so that they can feel supported too.
21) Don’t try to do everything yourself.
You might be tempted to try and tackle everything yourself. But you can’t do it all. Get help where and when it’s needed. Hire a babysitter, a cleaning lady, or a landscaper to take some of the pressure off yourself.
22) Instead of working a structured 9 to 5, start a home business so you can be home with your children.
Starting a home business is a good way to make more money and be home with your children. The idea of working a 9 to 5 job can be an attractive option, but when it comes to prioritizing family life, there is no better choice. By starting your own business, you will have the flexibility to make an income while still having the time and energy for other things in life such as family or social engagements.
23) Carve out time for yourself every week.
It is important to set aside time for yourself every week. If you are always busy and never take time for yourself, you will feel exhausted and stressed. You need to schedule time each week to do things that are a priority for you such as exercising, reading, or watching your favorite TV show. Self-care is critical to your overall wellness.
24) Simplify your mornings to prevent starting the day on the wrong foot.
The first hour of the day sets the tone for the rest of your day. If you start your day stressed, hurried, and overwhelmed then that is how you will feel for the rest of the day. It's time to take a step back and figure out what is causing you to rush in the morning--and strategize a solution.
25) Start family traditions and schedule-in fun family activities.
Families can start traditions to create memories that will last for years. These traditions can include holiday celebrations, family game nights, family breakfast or dinner, and more. Families can also schedule-in fun activities such as a family vacation, summer camping trip, or even just a weekly happy hour.
26) Communicate with your boss about what you need.
It is important to communicate with your boss about what you need from them. This will help them learn more about you, what you want and how they can help. When communicating, be specific about what you need and why it will help you do your work more effectively. The more specific the better as this can allow for a better understanding of the situation.
Final thoughts on how to have a work-life balance as a working mother
As a working mother, it is difficult to maintain a balance between work and life. But there are ways to make it work. The most important thing is, to be honest with yourself about what you want. Do you want to be a successful career woman who works 80+ hours per week? Do you want to work part-time or start a home business? Or do you want to have a family and be a stay-at-home mom? And then, set your priorities accordingly. It's also important not to compare yourself with others who seem like they have it all together. You are the only person who can define what success means for you and your situation.
