5 Tips on Work-Life Harmony for Working Moms
WomenTech Network
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As a working mom, you might feel overwhelmed with the pressure of managing both your job and your family. Regardless of whether you work remotely or in an office, being a mother is a demanding responsibility. While there's no universal solution for achieving equilibrium between work and family, it's achievable. To inspire you and other working mothers out there, here are six practical suggestions to aid in balancing your workload.
Enhance your productivity and embrace to-do lists
Such practice helps certain personality types overcome mental blocks such as the question, "What do I do now?" Organizing tasks not only induces a sense of calmness but also facilitates productivity.
Creating schedules and to-do lists can assist in organizing your tasks and keeping you on track. Develop a list of what needs to be done for your job and family within a given time frame, and tick them off once they're completed. This will give you a sense of achievement.
If you're unsure where to begin, grab a pen and paper or open a text document on your computer and jot down everything you need to do. After that, rank each item on a scale of one to five based on its importance to you. Prioritizing can help you manage your workload effectively. You may also explore online tools for tracking your to-do list, but there are several options available to choose from.
Time Management is King
In the context of running a company, it can be challenging to manage time effectively. To tackle this, it's crucial to delegate tasks whenever possible. The transition to parenthood may resemble the process of moving from a startup to a growing business. While you may have been previously involved in every detail of your venture, it's vital to delegate tasks now.
Additionally, you can divide household responsibilities with your partner. For instance, if your baby wakes up around three times during a regular night, you can manage the first two times while requesting your partner to take charge of the other two. It's important to keep in mind that it's perfectly fine to ask for help since this is a natural and thrilling phase of your life.
Listen to Your Body
When a woman becomes a mother, her body may experience changes related to childbirth. Breastfeeding can release a hormone called oxytocin, which is linked to positive emotions. This hormone can lower the stress hormone cortisol, decrease blood pressure, and improve digestion and metabolism. It can also promote a strong bond between mother and child by calming them both according to WHO.
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Furthermore, motherhood stimulates the production of prolactin, a hormone that can aid in sleep. Prolactin levels are higher during the night, so breastfeeding during this time can help maintain a steady milk supply. Additionally, prolactin can promote feelings of relaxation and sleepiness, enabling mothers to get restful sleep even if they nurse at night.
Move Beyond Labels
The rise of work-from-home culture has created a gray area between what distinguishes a stay-at-home mom and a work-from-home mom. It's important to recognize that there is a wide range of experiences and that things are not always clear-cut. WFH moms face unique challenges, which can create added pressures from both within and outside of the home. As a result, it's crucial to maintain open and consistent communication with both your professional team and your partner at home.
Find a support system
To obtain support and guidance from other parents who share similar experiences, consider finding a suitable group. Initially, determine if you prefer an online or in-person gathering. Look into reviews and feedback from members to gauge each group's nature. Once you have identified three to five groups that seem promising, contact their leaders or moderators to inquire about their services. Finally, experiment by participating in their activities to find the best fit.
Consider joining a community that focuses on your specific profession to increase your chances of connecting with others in similar situations.
To find out more about how to grow your career while also being a mother, attend the Women in Tech Global Conference 2023 .
Browse more sessions related to career advice for working mothers .
Consultant & Coach for High-Performing Executives and their Teams | Keynote Speaker | Master Facilitator | Founder/Creator of Absolute Trust (R) Model for Leader & Team Performance | Leadership Program for Women in STEM
1 年Thank you for posting this! Great advice and reminder that it’s okay to ask for help. Well done!?
Operations Director | Driving transformation & Change | Passion for leading and developing teams | Advocate for the 3Ps l Event and Customer Engagement Enthusiast
1 年Some useful tips here. Can working Mums have it all… we at Mor. Say yes absolutely! #workingparents #equitymatters
Helping people 55 and up make the best of every day with information, tips and hints to navigate the second half of life.
1 年Great tips! One thing that helps increase productivity is to take a couple minutes at the end of each day to list and schedule your top priority tasks for the next day. Just as important: remember that Superwoman and supermoms only exist in the movies and on TV.