The Takeaway – Mom moves that give her a double-bang

By Jennifer Openshaw

Moms: Did you know you are now working over 50+ hours per week (amid the pandemic) ...even before you even start your full-time job? Yup, that’s what the experts are saying and your neck pain, heart palpitations and sheer exhaustion are the proof. Everything is harder these days -- from grocery shopping to family planning, and don’t forget...your new full-time job as school teacher/IT maven. 

Here are three hacks to help you be good to yourself this week (and always):

1) Tell someone - and get real relief!  -- It’s Mother’s Day, so you can cash in that card by stating to the husband, grandpa, children or auntie: “THIS WEEK I NEED SOME HELP WITH SO AND SO’S SCHOOLWORK ON TUESDAY AND THURSDAY...”. One Mom did this by reaching out to extended family, and miraculously, found that her 10-year-old son could FaceTime an older cousin. She directed the cousin to help with ALL of the assignments from start to finish, and she was not going to check his work. The cousin and boy have continued this and have a new found relationship. The mom and child were able to get work done, which relieved stress for all. 

2) Turn an assignment into less housework – You deserve a break. Yes, we have to keep surfaces clean during the pandemic, but, do we have to detail the toaster, clean every closet or do all the laundry? No, we don’t.

Also, this might be the right time for some training. One smart mom, who knows her teens like their phones so much, asked each one to find a video on doing the laundry. Guess what? Not only did they get into it, they’re now responsible for their own laundry, start to finish. 

3) Work? Prioritize with colleagues - Do you need your job? If the answer is YES, and most people do, then you have to find time to work too. But you can prioritize in a way that helps everyone. Send out an email to colleagues 1-2 times a week with your priorities and then tackle those on the list. Also, and again, stop thinking you can do it all. Don’t ask – tell -- your husband, partner and kids, you need to make calls between 12-2. 

Lots of women are commiserating that this is a step back for women’s equality. It doesn’t have to be. We didn’t come this far to let everything fall apart now. Men are willing to help now and have evolved too. So ask! 

And that’s the takeaway: Get the relief you deserve -- by asking for help.

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Jennifer Openshaw, nationally known financial expert and CEO of non-profit Girls With Impact, a modern business and innovation academy for NextGen women leaders.  She's appeared on Oprah and CNBC's Power Lunch and is a LinkedIn Influencer. 

Girls With Impact is the nation’s only live & online entrepreneurship program make just for girls, ages 12-18.  Register your girl now www.girlswithimpact.org

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