4 Must-Read Tips For Working Moms

Source:https://www.forbes.com/

Doreen Shempela, a lab technician at the Churches Health Association of Zambia (CHAZ), exemplifies the demanding balance of work and home life faced by many women globally. Despite the challenges of managing her professional responsibilities and home duties, Shempela finds herself constantly on the go. Reflecting a broader trend, women’s participation in the workforce has significantly increased since the 1950s, with over 56% working by 2021 and about 75% of women aged 25-54 employed full-time today. As Mother’s Day approaches in the US, there are several proven strategies to help working mothers manage their busy lives more effectively.

Set Your Own Agenda: Elaine Agnes Amerlan, a mother of four, gave her daughter, Melinda French Gates, pivotal advice: “If you don’t set your own agenda, someone else will.” This guidance helped French Gates throughout her career, from Duke University to Microsoft and the Gates Foundation. She emphasizes the importance of prioritizing what matters to you and managing distractions. For example, Chelsea Clinton would end meetings to attend to her child, while others use early mornings for personal time. Reflecting on her own experience, French Gates values the dedicated family dinners she and her late husband maintained before their children’s schedules became more demanding. The key is to establish and adhere to your own agenda.

Lose The Guilt: Balancing work and motherhood can be challenging, often feeling like an unwinnable battle due to the romanticized portrayal of parenting in media. The highs and lows of being a working mom are rarely depicted realistically, leading to feelings of inadequacy and guilt. However, discussing these challenges openly can help normalize the experience and support other working mothers.

Singer-songwriter Meghan Trainor, for example, shared her feelings of guilt about returning to work after having her son. Her therapist’s reassurance that working moms are supporting and loving their families helped her manage these feelings. Trainor highlights the importance of showing children that pursuing a career while being present for them is possible. Many working mothers find that their roles fuel productivity and motivation, appreciating the beauty and significance of life through their dual responsibilities.

Ask For Help: Scarlett Johansson, a renowned actress, director, producer, and mother of two, has supported numerous causes but admitted in 2022 that asking for help was a challenge for her. She shared with Vanity Fair that she is learning to accept assistance in managing her busy life, acknowledging that it’s okay to let others help. For working mothers, building a strong support system is crucial. Seeking help from partners, family, or friends, and connecting with other working moms can ease tasks like school drop-offs and create personal time. Asking for help is not a weakness but a sign of self-awareness and the recognition that one cannot do everything alone.

Learn To Say No: Humans are conditioned to value hard work and fear missing out (FOMO), often leading to burnout. Author Ryan Holiday, in a 2021 Ted Talk, emphasized that every “yes” means a “no” to something else. While saying “no” is often viewed negatively, it can be framed positively with gratitude and honesty. For example, declining a last-minute work meeting to attend a child’s soccer game can be done respectfully by suggesting an alternative time. Although uncomfortable at first, practicing saying “no” can become empowering and help working mothers reclaim valuable time.

Read More:https://childreninfobank.com/safebank/4-must-read-tips-for-working-moms/

Image Source:https://www.forbes.com/