As a new mom, finding a work-life balance has been more important than ever. I have a whole baby who depends on me to be there for him. I have to take care of myself and make that a priority, but also have a dog and husband who need me, as well as my job.
I have found that a few things help in this new arena of being a working mama. It is definitely not easy and sometimes it doesn’t go as planned, but the important part of it is being able to give yourself GRACE and knowing that you are trying your best and that it’s not always perfect.
Let me tell you: the mom guilt is SO REAL, but this is another important factor – you have to let go of it sometimes! As a work-from-home mama, sometimes the babe gets more screen time than I would like or sometimes he’s playing independently for longer than I imagined. This is where we go back to giving ourselves grace and knowing that this is just a season we are in for the moment. I’m constantly reminding myself on hard days AND the good days that this is just a season. On the good days, it’s a nice reminder to soak it all in, because he won’t be this small or this young forever, and on the bad days when patience is wearing thin, I gently remind myself that this isn’t my forever, that tomorrow will be a better day and it usually is.
Childcare and having someone you trust also help with the mom’s guilt of being a working mama. It’s so hard to leave your babe(s), but it truly does lessen your anxiety and worries knowing that your baby is in good hands and that they are happy and safe. It’s true what they say – it really does take a village! Having a trusted babysitter/nanny also helps in the arena of creating those dates with your significant other, whether it’s a date night or a lunch date, reconnecting and making time for your significant other makes a world of difference. Plus, I think it helps to get them to do more around the house to help, too. When people are happy and feeling loved, it makes things so much smoother and they WANT to do things to make life easier for the one they love.
When you’re a working mama, time management is super important and can be crucial. You want to get rid of the distractions so that when you are working, you are giving your all. Doing so ensures that when you are done working, you can be 100% present with the babies and spouse, oh and the dog too!
Using calendars and/or planners to block out time for work, self-care, and setting aside time to plan fun family activities will make all the difference. It will always give you something to look forward to, it also will make it easier to say yes to less. And it’s ok to say NO. It’s important to know your boundaries and stick to them.
Last, but not least as a working mama who has pulled in so many directions, it’s so important to make time for YOU. I know for me, since I’m a first-time mom, it was hard to know what I liked to do anymore – everything was all about the baby for the first few months. Find things that bring you joy, and that makes you feel refreshed. It can be as simple as sitting outside on a nice, crisp morning actually drinking warm coffee while reading a book (I know, I really made you envision that and it sounds like a dream) OR it can be taking that 3-mile run you used to love doing. Maybe it’s calling that friend you haven’t talked to in a while or maybe it’s finding a mom group that you can know you’re not alone in all of it. I guess that’s another one – FIND A GROUP of other working mamas or just a mom group in general. It’s so nice to know that what you’re going through in this stage of life is NORMAL and that you my friend are not alone in it.
I hope reading this left you feeling encouraged or just at peace knowing that there are so many other women doing what you’re doing and feeling how you’re feeling. You are doing a great job! Keep it up!
By Jennifer Banuelos