As working mom’s, the balance of work life and mom life is a familiar battle. How do we stay on top of both and still feel like we are being a great parent?
We want to be super productive at work and still have everything covered at home.
We want a life that has the best of both worlds.
The truth is, balancing work life and mom life takes practice and particular focus on planning.
Here are the top ten tips for balancing work life and mom life like a boss.
1. Plan Your Week
Planning your week is the key to balancing work life and mom life.
While we can’t control everything ALL the time; it does help to be organized.
Every Sunday, sit down with a weekly planner and map out your week.
Write down any key appointments, tasks or meetings happening that week. When you’re finished, place it on the fridge so it’s being seen all the time.
The best weekly planner will have a section for each day plus a notes section so you can add any other reminders of things you need to get achieved that week. You can find a template for a FREE downloadable and printable weekly planner here.
2. Be Flexible
Sometimes life gets in the way and you simply have to reschedule things.
Be flexible when this happens and do your best to go with the flow. People are more understanding than you think, especially when it comes to family life.
Try not to sweat the small stuff and go with the flow when changes and challenges pop up in your day.
Practicing mindfulness and just 5 minutes of breath work when things don’t go to plan is enough to re-balance yourself and ensure your day continues on a positive note.
You can also try some positive affirmations to help get you into a better mindset for dealing with obstacles and changes in your day.
3. Do Your Food Shopping Online
The one place I never go since becoming a mom is the grocery store! This has saved me countless hours driving to and from the shops with screaming children.
When the kids are asleep, I jump online and put my grocery order in. Usually on a Sunday night which is my planning night for the week.
You can plan your meals for the week and exactly what product, fruit and vegetables you need. Not only does this save time, but money too because you’re not wasting any food!
BONUS TIP: One of my favourite go-to recipes for the family on busy nights is this Clean Lasagne. Not only is it super quick and easy to make – it’s also a FAN favourite.
4. Get Up Before the Kids Do
This is a simple one but SO effective. It’s amazing how much you can get done when the kids are in bed.
I find that going to bed a little earlier and waking up a little earlier works really well for us.
I usually set an alarm for 5:00am and this gives me a good 1.5 – 2 hours before the kids wake up. I call it “sacred time” because you can get SO much achieved.
I promise you that once you get up early the first day, it becomes easier and easier every day after that. Soon you’ll actually enjoy being an early bird!
5. Invest in You
That’s right – invest in YOU! Listen to podcasts while you’re cleaning, read a self-improvement book or attend a seminar. Grow your mindset.
When you are regularly refilling your cup, not only are you a better business woman for doing so but you are a BETTER MOM.
As parents, we are continually helping others and making sure everyone else is okay. How often do we step back and invest in ourselves? You deserve it; keep expanding your mindset.
6. Meditate Daily
When we lead busy lifestyles, especially as busy mom’s – it can be challenging to meditate often. I get it, screaming children and pressing deadlines doesn’t always make for a relaxing experience!
There is an app I have found that is really helpful and provides 5-minute meditations for mindfulness. You can set the app to remind you to meditate at a certain time everyday so choose a time slot that works for you.
This 5 minutes of centring yourself can work wonders for your productivity. Relaxation makes you so much more productive! Plus, so much more patient with the kids.
7. Get Active at Least Once Per Day
Go for a walk with the kids in the stroller, take a 20-minute run or book in for a Pilates class. Whatever works for you!
Exercise is super important and helps us to de-stress so we can better manage stress. Personally, I know my mindset is so much better and clearer when I’m exercising regularly.
The key is to find something you love doing for exercise, so it doesn’t feel like something you ‘have to’ do. Getting active also helps to increase your endorphins (happy hormones) so you are more energetic and happy everyday.
8. Invest in Wireless Headphones
Words cannot describe the value that wireless headphones have brought to my life. There is something really magical about being on the phone hands-free while walking around the house – phone nowhere to be seen.
This allows you to use BOTH of your hands (crazy I know!) as well as talk to someone all over the house. When working from home, this has sky rocketed my productivity and means I no longer have a sore neck trying to hold my phone to my ear with my shoulder.
Just be careful of the mic pick up as I recall a day where I was using the breast pump while on the phone to a supplier. You can guess what happened next – very embarrassing!
9. Use Nap Times Wisely
For stay at home working mom’s and those working on . weekends – using nap times wisely is a good move. I don’t do tasks I can do at home when the kids are awake, when they’re asleep.
I save that ‘sacred time’ for really important tasks like preparing financial reports, writing strategy documents or preparing blog content that I need 100% concentration for.
If the kids are asleep, save the dishes or the washing for when they are awake. Set the kids up with an activity in the lounge room while you do the washing OR feed them in the kitchen while you do the washing up.
10. Be Present and Grateful
Last but not least, be present. Being present allows you us truly enjoy and value every moment that is presented to us.
Be 100% present with your kids when you’re there so you don’t feel guilty when you’re 100% present with your work. Once you truly learn to harness the power of positivity, it has an amazing impact on your life.
Lastly, be grateful for what you have now while working towards your goals. The more grateful we are for our positive experiences, the more positive experiences that will follow.
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