How to Improve Your Work-Life Balance as a Working Mom

Everyone knows how difficult it can be to balance work and life. Add being a parent into the mix, and things suddenly become pretty complicated. It is especially hard for working moms because generally speaking, we are the primary caregivers to our children. So, how can you improve your work-life balance as a working mom?

Let go of the idea of balance

The phrase work-life balance has the connotation that everything will be perfect all of the time. Honestly, it won’t be. Life is hard and throws you curveballs! Parenting is one of the most difficult jobs on the planet because we’re all a work-in-progress. On top of that, the expectation to live in perfect balance isn’t realistic either. There will be times when work will pull you one direction and life will pull you in another.

Prioritize where you’re needed most

When the push and pull of work and life happens, it’s best to prioritize where you’re needed most. Time is limited, and we need to be realistic about what can get done in a day. By setting a boundary with work, we can dedicate the time after work to living and being present with our children. Work-life balance is, in essence, the ability to manage your time, projects, and priorities.

Block out time for work and life

By keeping a calendar of events, we can create blocks of time dedicated to work and life. It’s important for both myself and my children to have an up-to-date calendar so that we know what to expect next. That way I can be where I am needed when I am needed. As a working parent, I’ve learned that my goal is to work to live. I work hard so that my family and I can have a good life. I block out time in my calendar to drop my children off and pick them up from school each day and break up my day with time outside on the playground with them because it’s important to me to have that routine in place.

Some days will be better than others

Again, remember that balance isn’t perfection. Some days will be easy and some will be extremely hard. It’s okay to recognize that, take a deep breath, and try again. Your ‘best’ fluctuates every day because you are human! Give yourself a little break and know that sometimes you will need to make a compromise -like letting your children watch a show on TV while you quickly wrap up an important work meeting- and it’s perfectly fine. You’re doing great!

Thanks for joining me on this journey.

xoxo,

Michaela Rae