21 Survival Tips for Working Mothers

Approximately 70% of women with children under the age of 18 are working mothers. It’s definitely a challenge to work, raise kids, and find time for yourself. Equally rewarding as it is, motherhood can sometimes be strenuous. To all struggling moms out there, here are some effective tips to help you cope with stress and manage your time efficiently.

1. Ask for Help

Having to work and come home to make dinner, clean the house, and take care of the kids is a humongous amount of obligation for one person. Do not be afraid to ask your spouse or another family member for help. It will alleviate the overwhelming feelings of not having enough time in the day.

2. Establish Rules

To prevent things from getting chaotic, it is wise to set rules and divide the tasks among your children and spouse. For instance, you can divide the number of nights you cook with your husband and set days for doing the laundry. It is also vital that children learn and obey rules of the household, such as bedtimes, completing homework, and more.

3. Put aside time for strictly you

Make sure you are dedicating time throughout the hectic week to partake in activities that you love. This will ease all of your frustrations and lead to a healthier lifestyle.

4. Dedicate time solely for your kids

Since you’re working full time, it is very likely that you are only seeing your kids for a few hours during the day. You must not let work get in the way of spending precious moments with your children. On the weekends, take a brief vacation from any work-related things. Spend these two valuable days of the week strictly with your kids doing something fun.

5. Talk to other Mothers

If any of your coworkers have children, try interacting and getting advice on how they manage their time. You will find their input useful especially if they have older kids than yours. This means they’ve “been there, and done that.”

6. Stay Organized

Make sure you have a reliable planner to keep track of everything going on so you don’t miss any of your duties. This will help efficiently manage the overwhelming feelings of stress and also give you a major sense of control.

7. Children are your best friends.

When you are feeling down and tense, remember that your children will always put you in a more uplifting mood. Take time to play with them and listen to what they have to say. Bond with your children often!

8. Consider finding a work at home position

With the internet rapidly advancing, there are plenty of online work opportunities. Having an online job will make your daily schedule significantly more flexible, allowing more time to maintain the household and drive your children around.

9. Prepare the oncoming week over the weekend

Consider preparing the meals for the week on a Sunday to lessen the elaborate task of cooking on weekday.

10. Relaxation Time

Take time everydayto have relaxation activities doing leisure things such as yoga, listening to music, or going for a walk.

11. Wake up earlier

Before the kids wake up, take a few minutes to meditate or dosomething else that helps calm yourself.

12. Don’t get run down

With all of the running around that a working mother has to do, don’t let the stress get the best of you. According to The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention of the United States, stress accounts for approximately 75% of all doctor visits. Stress can lead to headaches, back pain, heart trouble, and accidents due to lack of sleep.

13. Laughter

Find ways to increase your laughter. Studies have proven that laughing reduces anxiety and strengthens your immune system.

14. Don’t overreact if everything doesn’t happen on time

There will be some nights that dinner is later than planned, maybe your daughter’s ballet lesson went on later than scheduled. Calmly accept the fact that not everything will go as you planned.

15. Consider a trip to the beach

The vitamin D from the sun has incredible health benefits such as proper bone, skin, and mental health. The ocean will undeniably help you disengage from all your work and parenting troubles.

16. Construct Lists

Make a list of everything that has to be done during the day and the week. This will once again help you feel more organized and comfortable with your busy schedule.

17. Devote time with your significant other

Going on weekly dates with your husband is another way to reduce the stress and anxiety. Spending time with your significant other is just as important as spending time with yourself and your kids.

18. Take advantage of technology

While waiting for your son at his baseball practice, check and reply to emails or call a client. Technology today makes it simple for us to multi-task

19. Find a Mentor

Search for a relative, friend, or coworker who you share a connection with and have them assist and support you through your hectic lifestyle.

20. Try and accomplish tasks the night before

Getting ready and out the door in the mornings can be very challenging to many working mothers. If possible, do some of these morning tasks the night before. Pick out the kids’ outfits, make the lunches, and choose what you are going to wear. That way in the morning, you are not sprinting around the house trying to get both yourself and kids prepared for the day.

21. Remain Optimistic

When times get stressful, it is important to always stay positive and hopeful about the future. Negative thoughts will lower your confidence and can potentially be detrimental to your physical and emotional health. Never let work become a huge burden on your life.

Do you know any other tips that could help juggle work and motherhood? Share in the comments below.

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