Have a hard time balancing work and family life? Feeling overwhelmed and worn out? If so, it’s time to squeeze more “me” time into your schedule.
As a mother, you have lots of responsibilities. You need to work, cook, clean the house, and take care of loved ones. Things are even harder for single moms.
Today’s working moms spend 10.5 more hours weekly on multitasking compared to their male counterparts. A quarter of them is crying at least once a week because of stress.
These numbers depict the modern woman and the challenges she’s facing every day. Luckily, it’s no need to do everything by yourself. Once you learn to say No, your life will change for the better.
Managing family and work is an acquired skill. Small things, such as assigning tasks to your partner and avoiding multitasking, can make all the difference.
Why Modern Moms Struggle with Family and Work
Life as a working mother has never been easy. Most women, regardless of their age, struggle to balance family and work. Trying to keep on top of your career, children, and social life can be a struggle.
It’s not unusual to see working moms feeling depressed or overwhelmed. The stress adds up, affecting their physical and emotional health. For many women, “me” time is just a distant dream.
As a mom, you want to build a better future for your children. At the same time, you’re trying to grow your career. Plus, you must take care of your hubby and keep your relationship alive.
Modern women have access to more education and career opportunities than ever before. Despite the progress toward gender equality, they end up doing all the work at home or at the office.
Research shows that women still bear a heavier load than men in balancing family and work. Over 58 percent say that being a working mother makes it harder to climb the career ladder.
About 48 percent of working moms have trouble managing their work and personal life on a regular basis. Despite their efforts, they still end up feeling guilty and overwhelmed.
Most women who are in this situation are trying to do their best at work and excel at parenthood. Accomplishing both can be extremely difficult. At the end of the day, you’re stressed, sleep-deprived, and have little or no time left for yourself.
So what’s the best way to manage family and work without ignoring your own needs? Well, it all comes down the small things you’re doing every day. Here are some simple tips to get more done in less time:
Learn to Prioritize
Prioritize, prioritize, prioritize. This should be your mantra from now on.
No matter how hard you try, you can’t do it all. Plus, no one expects you to do take care of everything. Even if they do, it’s their problem, not yours.
Every morning, prioritize your tasks for the day ahead. Write everything down and focus on the things that need immediate attention.
Learn to differentiate between urgent and important tasks. Don’t waste your energy on things that can be postponed or assigned to others.
Ask your hubby to handle the small stuff, such as cleaning the house or buying groceries. This way, you’ll finally be able to make it to the gym later in the day. Or perhaps you’ll want to work on your personal projects.
Order your tasks by the amount of estimated effort. Start the day with the ones that take the most time and effort to complete. Think about what’s important to you.
Avoid Multitasking
This may come up as a surprise, but only two percent of people can multitask successfully. For the other 98 percent, multitasking affects their productivity and causes unnecessary stress.
When you’re multitasking, you cannot fully focus on the task at hand. This can lead to costly mistakes, especially in the workplace.
Once you learn to prioritize, focus your attention on the most important stuff.
Let’s say you’re working on a project, but you keep stressing over the things you’ll need to do later, such as cooking dinner. Ask your hubby to make dinner, or pick up the phone and order a healthy menu for your family.
Or perhaps you’re worried about that clogged shower or sink that needs urgent repairs? No problem!
Call a plumber and ask him to stop by your house and get things fixed. Google Dr. Drip Plumbing Professionals emergency plumber Sidney to find the best experts in your area. Just make sure your hubby is at home to open the door – it’s that simple!
Embrace the Power of “No”
How many times do you accept to do this or that just to please others? The first step to a better family and work life is to embrace the power of No.
You don’t have to take the kids to school every morning, vacuum every week, or pay the bills by yourself. Your family can handle these things just as well as you do.
The same goes the stuff your friends and colleagues as you to do. If you’re not in the mood to go out, don’t do it. Take the time to relax and watch a good movie.
Does your colleague always need help with her projects? Tell her that you have a lot on your plate. Saying no can be tough, but it’s for your own good.
Accept the fact that, no matter how hard you try, you can’t please everyone. Trying to do so will only create stress and steals your time.
Think about how much you could accomplish in the time you usually spend cooking lunch or doing other people’s work.
Squeeze More “Me” Time into Your Schedule
When was the last time you did something for yourself? “Me” time is crucial to your health and well-being. It keeps you sane and offsets the harmful impact of stress.
Taking more time for yourself isn’t selfish. On the contrary – it helps you stay healthy and happy so you can care for your loved ones.
Prioritize “me” time just like you do with your family and work. Schedule your gym sessions, spa treatments, reading time, or whatever makes you happy.
Once you master this skill, you’ll feel more accomplished and find the strength needed to face life’s challenges.
Get More Sleep
When you’re a working mom, sleep comes last on your list. Yet, it’s one of the most important things you can do for yourself and your health.
Sleep deprivation affects your productivity and mental focus. In the long run, it messes up your hormones, slows your metabolism, and causes weight gain. Poor sleep also weakens your immune system, so you’ll get sick more often.
No matter how much you have on your plate, prioritize sleep. Get at least seven hours of shut-eye every night. Take a nap throughout the day if necessary.
Final Thoughts
Without a doubt, being a working mom carries unique challenges. It’s in your power to declutter your life and make time for the things that matter to you.
Above all, prioritize your health and well-being. Make time for your hobbies and assign tasks to others. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.
Stop trying to please everyone. Embrace the power of No and set boundaries. Say it like you mean it.
What are your biggest challenges as a working mom? How do you manage to balance family and work? Share your experience below!
