This may feel like it comes out of the blue, but I’m sure I’m not the only mom who deals with the messy of balancing motherhood and career! I know I’m not alone and I want you to know you aren’t either if this happens to be you too.
If you are new to this blending, it’s okay to take baby steps and give your children and yourself time to shift into gear! I want to encourage you to lay aside all guilt and comparison, and add humor! And some good quick meal ideas to your schedule! You can do this!
Whether you have a calling/career outside of motherhood (because you and I both know motherhood is also a calling/career all it’s own!) because of choice or necessity, I know there are days where you wonder if it’s going to be best for your family. I know you may feel it’s more then you can handle. That’s okay, me too.
I thought I’d share a few tips that have helped ease the chaos {notice I said ease, not erase :)}
1. Remember there will be good and bad days. If your priorities get off, correct it, make it up to the kids, and let go of the guilt.
2. Be organized the night before. Lay out the clothes, pack the lunches (if you do them at home), have a breakfast plan for the next morning. Sometimes for me this means cooking bacon the night before and having it ready for them to grab as they head out the door to school!
3. Let the kids do things themselves! Teach them the how to’s early on! Help them see they are apart of the team and reward their efforts for their teamwork to making things tick. They will be mature beyond their years through learning responsibility and age appropriate independence.
4. If possible have a family command station. Carve out a spot for school papers to be dropped that you may need to look at or sign each evening. Have a drawer near the command station stocked with things like pens, pencils, extra school supplies, batteries, paper, whatever it maybe that will save the, “Mommm, where is the …..”
5. Communicate with your employer. Discuss the details of how much time you can take off and make sure they understand your family priorities before you sign on.
6. Find ways to stay connected with your children during the day. Of course we can’t everyday, but we can find a way to let them know we care. Whether it is taking your lunch break to match their’s at school, sending a note, or attaching a picture of yourself on the inside of their backpack, find ways to be “present” and let them know you are a call away.
7. Limit time wasters. I know a hard one when after a long day at work you want to sit and zone out! But the motherhood work has just begun. Maybe have a designated screen time all at the same time. If I’d like some phone time, then they get screen time at the same time. We set our time limit and then come back together ready to interact.
8. Plan special family activities. I know we are pressed for time, so make the weekends count. For us, now ten years going, Sunday is family day. The kids know mom and dad take off from work and distractions and focus 100% on family. It’s a day we all look forward to! It doesn’t matter what you do, as long as it’s together.
9. I’m going to end on an odd number; but last, not least, make sure to take time alone to refuel and relax. I’ve been awful at this, but I’m getting better; remember baby-steps count! I know how hard this is when juggling a career and motherhood! It seems impossible. But we all know we can only give what we’ve received and if we haven’t received calm, we have trouble staying calm amidst all the crazy. Treat yourself now and then, and pat yourself on the back for doing it.
Well, I won’t pretend to have this worked out perfect by any means, but I try again each day! That’s all that matters, get up and go again! I want to encourage you that as my kids have watched me strive to do my best in what seemingly feels impossible, they too have taken on life’s challenges and gone full throttle to the best of their ability.
Live your story unashamed. Keep your head up, pray, trust, and know that in the end all that matters is that they felt love from your heart, the rest will fall into place.
Alyssa
For Hannah Kate
