A Juggling Act: The Elusive Work-Life Balance

Like many, my journey to motherhood included an unexpectedly messy, complicated start. My first pregnancy was during a high-profile role, flying all over Australia, enjoying pre-COVID freedom and flexibility while nurturing clients in every state. I naively assumed I'd take my maternity leave, pop my baby into childcare, and carry on my career with little to no real effect. How wrong I was. And now, 5 years later, I'm still shocked at my naivety.

Our baby Oliver was born early, at 26 weeks, on 17 September 2019. He passed away 8 weeks later, and I was forever changed. Grief affected my body in ways I never expected, seeping into every corner of my being and reshaping my perspective on life and work.

Determined to reach the goal of having a family, I committed to exploring a range of healing modalities. I tried every type of therapy under the sun. You ask me, I'll tell you, I tried them all.

Returning to work during this period was complicated by many factors, including the pandemic and its impact on travel restrictions, which significantly affected my role.

A welcomed break meant I had ample time to heal, reflect, and continue my exploration of therapies. We finally had luck with a healthy baby boy in 2021, and I was headhunted to return to work earlier than expected when he was just 1. This was an interesting time for me as I was still breastfeeding and desperately wanted to re-join the workforce. However, I didn't realise at the time that I wasn't finished with my total motherhood immersion experience. I craved more time with him.

As I navigated this new chapter, I learned valuable lessons about balancing work and family life. Here are some practical tips that have helped me and might benefit other professionals:

If you’re returning to work soon, here are some tips that have helped me:

1. Create a daily schedule that includes dedicated family time. Block out specific hours for work and family, and stick to them as much as possible.
2. Be organised the night before to make the morning childcare drop-off as smooth as possible. Prepare lunches, lay out clothes, and pack bags in advance.
3. Set boundaries for work hours and stick to them. Communicate these boundaries clearly to colleagues and clients.
4. Use any available time to be present and in the moment. Get down into your child's world and remind yourself how to play and be silly.

Even with these strategies, balancing work and family life comes with its share of challenges. Two common obstacles many working parents face are:

The daily childcare drop-off guilt: It's a universal experience for working parents. Remember that quality time matters more than quantity, and your child benefits from your positive example as a working parent.

Stress from trying to meet both work deadlines and family obligations: Prioritisation is key. Learn to distinguish between urgent and important tasks, and don't be afraid to ask for help or extensions when needed.

Now, as I return to the workforce again, I'm far more ready and equipped with skills on how to balance and protect my time. It's an ongoing process of learning and adjusting, but one that's ultimately rewarding.

As you consider your own work-life balance journey, I encourage you to reflect and share:

- What's your biggest challenge in balancing work and family life?

- What's one strategy that has significantly improved your work-life balance?

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