Balancing work and family life seems like the eternal war, the battle that is not known how to win ... the eternal rival of motherhood. It is not easy being a mother and juggling a full-time job, combining work and family life can be a challenge for any mother of this sixteenth century. But it is not something totally impossible, and more knowing that women are practical, productive and above all, mothers.
If you are a mother and you also work, I'm sure you know what I'm talking about. For this reason, do not hesitate to start thinking logically, stop suffering and think about what you should do for the good of your family and yourself. If necessary, write down each of these on a piece of paper tips so that you can put them into practice starting today.
Don't feel guilty
Many mothers feel guilty because they spend a large part of the day on their working hours separated from their children. They are in great pain and that does not allow them to be as productive as they really can be. But what if I told you that going to work every day is the greatest act of love you are giving your child? Today's society is set up in such a way that mothers are required to work (on many occasions) in order to make ends meet and be able to meet the basic needs of a family (such as paying bills, shopping, wearing appropriate clothing, etc.). So every morning when you walk out the door, do it with a smile! Your effort is their happiness, and yours too! You have a professional career that you must also take care of.
Get some good morning routines
If the morning starts with stress, it will be when the whole day is twisted for everyone. It is better that at night everything is well organized for the next day. Make the children's lunches, leave the clothes ready, the backpacks done, the homework finished and make sure they go to bed well cleaned. In the morning it will be a good time to talk about if there are any changes that day in the family routine, and it is very important to have breakfast together to strengthen the emotional bond.
Find a trusted babysitter
School hours are fine, but they can't always cover your entire workday. Children are not to blame that adult schedules are so disparate or that we have to work so many hours to be able to earn a good salary at the end of the month. But they do need to be well cared for all the time. Ask your friends or family if they know trusted babysitters to be able to hire them in a timely manner when an emergency arises at work. Remember that whenever you can your children want to be with you and spend quality time, and although your work is important, your children are too.
Although if you want to hire a babysitter you will have to do a personal interview, know what their availability is, know what their experience is taking care of children of your children's age (and that it is also a demonstrable experience) and they will have to have a phone number available to be able contact her whenever appropriate.
But remember that a babysitter will always be a good option., when you know and are aware that the first option to take care of your children will always have to be you. If work can wait, your kids should always come first. If you can't really wait, then choose to hire a babysitter for the hours you need on a specific day.
Have a family calendar and schedule on the fridge
Having a daily family schedule on the fridge is important so that everyone knows what each member of the family does at each moment of the day. So there will be no disconnection from family members and children will know where their parents are and what time they will get home and why. Also if they have extracurricular activities they can be aware of them and be able to go every day to the place where they belong. As if that were not enough, children should also have their activity schedule in their bedroom to keep their minds organized.
In addition, having a family calendar at home is very important, because that way you can mark the most important days and the children can have a good notion of time and to know how much is left for example for the arrival of a birthday, or what is missing for Christmas or for the next holidays.
Keep in touch with your children
If you have no choice but to be away from home all day, or at night you will not be there to put your children to bed, one idea is to take advantage of new technologies so that your children do not feel you are far away. You can talk to them on the phone or on Skype. If you don't have time for that, you can record a video reading them a story or record your voice singing their favorite lullaby. If you can't go to your child's game, make him see what is important to you And give him a note of encouragement or a charm so he knows that he will be with you at all times. Call to talk with them or send photos by WhatsApp to your partner so that your children can see what you are doing.
Take advantage of time setting limits
It is important that you know how to take advantage of the time to take quality time as a family. For example, if you have to make calls or check emails, it is best to do it when your children are already sleeping. Take time to be with your partner at night and avoid multitasking when you are with your children. Don't waste time, rest when you must and put the phone aside when you are with your children.
Create special moments
You must also create special moments at different times in your life and all equally important: special moments as a family, special moments as a couple and special moments for yourself.