How a Busy Working Mom Does It All

Full disclaimer – I know that your eyes might be rolling back in your head as you say to yourself, “oh no, not another one of those she can do it all posts” because, let me tell you, doing it ALL is not in the cards.

For me.

For you.

For anyone. (Fact: Wonder Woman is a DC Comics character!)

So, as a busy working mom that has found happiness and success in juggling my various roles, I’m passing along suggestions. Perhaps, they will work well for you, or you might have to re-engineer them just a bit, and that’s okay, too. Here goes:

Don’t let anyone dictate what works for you. There is no one right answer and when you find something that works, albeit different from what is prescribed in many of the advice books and articles, stick to it. It’s your life and family, and if what you are doing isn’t harming anyone then go for it. Trust me, I know that flying in the face of what other people tell you requires some self-confidence, but it is worth it to stick to your plan.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Just as is true in work, delegation might be the answer to getting more things done, and by more, I mean the things that are important to you. Think long and hard if you “really” need to do something on your own, or if there is another way to get it taken care of.

Recognize the importance of good time management. For instance:

• Bundle your tasks and try to complete one set of tasks before jumping to another. You’ll save time by doing things this way.

• Take 10 minutes at the end of each night to tidy up, prepare lunch for the next day, prepare your clothes, etc.

• Wake up a half hour earlier and use the extra time for whatever you want/need. The half-hour won’t impact your energy, just so long as you go to sleep at an appropriate time!

• Schedule your “me” time.

Be grateful. Maintaining a gratitude practice makes you see things differently. For instance:

• “I hate to clean” OR “I’m grateful for this beautiful home.“

• “I can’t believe I have to drive them to soccer again” OR “I’m fortunate that my son/daughter can play sports.”

You get the idea. Reframe your dissatisfaction and you will feel yourself lose stress and feel more positive.

Take a minute (yes, you HAVE a minute), and think about these suggestions. Do you have other ideas to share? Please do.