12 Ways to Balance Motherhood, Work, and Life (Part 2)

In , I introduced 6 practical tips to help busy moms juggle motherhood, health, and home.  I urge you to check out the first 6 tips which include some great advice from Erin Flynn Jay, the author of the new book, .   

This week, I have 6 more tips that focus on balancing motherhood, family, and career. 

Tip #7: Share Family and Home Obligations with Your Partner

One of Erin’s top tips is to ask for help with responsibilities around the house. She says,

“Women have made great strides toward equality in the workplace, but not at home. Household chores largely fall on the mothers’ shoulders—but these tasks and parenting responsibilities should be divided equally. Women will never have time for themselves until they can achieve this balance at home.”

My suggestion is to have a meeting with your spouse or partner and work together to divide chores as evenly as possible so that you won’t end up resentful and burned out. Include scheduling in times when your spouse will give you “time outs” away from the kids. Knowing that you’ll have a few free hours to spend relaxing and recharging each week is a great motivator to get you through hectic times.

Tip #8: Join a Local Moms’ Support Group

Mastering the Mommy Track notes that working mothers may feel isolated post-birth, especially if they don’t have friends and family close by to help them out. New moms need all the support they can get while caring for babies, feeding on demand, and coping with their own sleep deprivation. Yet, support is also needed beyond a baby’s first year.

“I recommend mothers look into joining a local moms’ support group. Conduct online research to determine what your city or region has to offer – then get involved. Attend an event and see if you like the group members and if it would be a good fit. Keep searching until you find the group that will work for your schedule and needs,” advises Erin.

Tip #9: Periodically Evaluate Your Career

Working mothers need to periodically evaluate their careers and determine their best growth opportunities. This decade, more women will alter their jobs to allow more time for their families. How can the two trends happen? With superb technology available, women can complete training on their own time, work from their homes, and spend less time commuting or office dwelling. Make it a priority to continually assess where you are in your career or current job so that you don’t limit yourself into thinking that your current situation is the best it can be.

Tip #10: Schedule Free Time in Advance

Erin also highly recommends that women should schedule their free time in advance otherwise it might not happen. This requires planning and cooperation with your spouse or partner. Each person’s free time can be scheduled and agreed on—and both must commit to making it happen. And don’t rely on a verbal schedule, grab your appointment calendar and actually write it down.

Tip #11: Investigate Flex Time

Flex time is so important for career moms.   Erin suggests that women ask their current employer for a change in their schedule—which can include the option of telecommuting, working flexible hours, working a compressed workweek, or going part-time. You need to build a solid case for changing your schedule (a case where the main argument doesn’t hinge on your needs, but rather on what’s best for the company) and see if your boss will allow some flexibility. If not, then perhaps it’s time to find a job that allows more flexible work options.

Tip #12:  Love What You Do

This idea may seem a bit ridiculous to include in our tips, but truthfully, I find it to be the most important of all. There is something to be said for people who live their lives looking at the glass as half full, not half empty. If you’re happy with your life, whether you’re a crazed working mom or a desperate stay-at-home mom, everything is going to be easier and more enjoyable if you have the right attitude. 

My life with 8 kids has had more downs than ups, but I have a choice every day to love my situation or hate it. No one wins if you feel your circumstances are difficult or miserable, especially not your family. I think parenting is the most important job I will ever have, and if there’s one message I can leave with my kids it will be to always “Love What You Do” and if you don’t, do something about it!

Thanks to Erin Flynn Jay, author of , for sharing her great insight with us. 

What strategy do you rely on to balance motherhood and life? Let me know in Comments or post them on the Mighty Mommy Facebook page. You can also connect with me on Twitter @MightyMommy or e-mail me at mommy@quickanddirtytips.com.

Check back next week for more parenting tips. Don’t forget to check out my family-friendly boards at Pinterest.com/MightyMommyQDT.

Until next time—Happy Parenting!