How Working Moms Stay Sane in the Midst of Chaos

Managing a full-time career is demanding. Likewise, being a mom of young children is challenging. And while a lot of moms try to do both at the same time, some do better than others. 

While it's common to use words like "juggle" or "balance," the truth is that most working moms are just searching for a little sanity. Here are some practical steps you can take to find a sense of peace in the midst of the chaos. 

1.     Be Smart About Family Planning

The last thing a busy working mom with young children needs is an unplanned pregnancy. While there's nothing wrong with having more kids, it needs to be something you plan and prepare for. Otherwise, you're just asking for more chaos.

Thankfully, family planning is easier than ever. You can even order free or affordable birth control online and have it delivered to your mailbox. Be smart!

2.     Find the Right Childcare Partners

Childcare is perhaps the single biggest stressor in a working mom's life. You love your children more than anything else in the world and want to make sure they're safe, loved, and cared for. But you also have to think about practical issues like location and cost.

Don't rush into any childcare decision without first considering all of your options. If you can find someone to care for your children inside your own home, that's great! If not, look for a childcare center that you trust. 

3.     Establish Routines

Routines are important – both for you and your kids. For best results, you should create both a morning routine and an evening routine.

For your morning routine, try to wake up before your kids and spend a few minutes in solitude. From there, you can prepare for the day and help your kids get ready. Your evening routine will look similar, but only in reverse.

"In all actuality, I treasure my quiet time in the morning, but I really love my quiet time at night, too, even though I've got kids who are staying up later and later as they get older," The Intentional Mom writes. "There is just something I love about doing some planning, housework, and even cooking in the kitchen at night when the house is quiet, or at least mostly quiet."

Bedroom routines with the kids will help make the evening hours less stressful. It'll also help your children sleep better throughout the night. If you don't already have routines, now's the time to develop them.

4.     Keep Your Boss in the Know

Trying to juggle personal stuff while you're on the job is difficult enough. Attempting to hide it from your boss is even more stressful.

You can lower your stress level and enjoy greater work-life balance by keeping your boss in the know. When your boss understands your situation, they're much more likely to work with you and cut some slack.

5.     Unplug When You're Home

Wherever you are, be all there. While that's a difficult statement for many working moms to hear, it can't be overstated. When you're at work, focus on your job. When you're at home, spend time with your kids. If you don't, you'll end up giving half effort in each area, which doesn't do anyone any good. 

6.     Make Time for Self-Care

We all talk about self-care, but few working moms ever do anything about it. If you're serious about self-care, you have to make it a priority.

"Block the time off your calendar," TEDx Speaker Rebecca Cafiero says. "If it isn't scheduled, it isn't real. I schedule my self-care during the work day, since evenings with kiddos can be unpredictable."

Self-care is whatever you need it to be. It could be scheduling a massage, getting your nails done, reading a book in a coffee shop, or enjoying a glass of wine while watching Netflix. You do you!

Stop Pursuing Perfection

If you're trying to be the perfect mom and perfect businesswoman, you're going to fail repeatedly. Perfection isn't a realistic target. Instead, you should look for opportunities to excel in each area without compromising on the other. And if you can do it all while still retaining a sense of sanity, consider yourself a success!

Photo by Sai De Silva on Unsplash.

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