Parenting while working is essentially juggling two full-time jobs, so it’s only normal that working mothers will experience a great deal of overwhelm in their lives. However, some techniques help alleviate the stress of excelling in both domains.
Don’t Be Too Proud To Ask For Help
Not everyone can afford the luxury of hiring a nanny to care for their children while they’re busy at work. But asking for help is not limited to babysitters. Chances are that you are surrounded by a supportive network of friends and family eager to come to your rescue. Don’t be afraid of enlisting their help when work-life balance begins to feel out of reach.
Make Time For Things You Enjoy
Whether you’re a working mom or a young student, setting aside time for hobbies or passions is essential to keeping stress at bay. This is the perfect time to ask for help, as we suggested so that you can have your well-deserved “me time,” even if it’s for just an hour a day.
Let Go Of Perfection
Perfection doesn’t exist, so the sooner you accept that the sooner you’ll feel a huge weight lifted off your shoulders. It’s impossible to cook dinner, keep a tidy house, help the kids with their homework, all while working eight or more hours a day. Just like your child took tiny steps before they could run, so can you in your daily life. Have days where you order takeout or worry about cleaning one room at a time. If you live with a partner, delegate those tasks among yourselves to avoid bearing the brunt of all the housework.
Kick The Comparison Habit
The moment you learn you’re going to become a mother, there’s an instinct to look to other mothers to learn from them and employ their techniques. However, there’s also a tiny voice in the back of your head, gnawing at your self-esteem for not doing things as efficiently or effortlessly as those other moms. The fact is, everyone is different, and what is suitable for your family may not be right for another, and that’s okay! The next time you’re logged in to social media, look at the mom content as the highlights of someone’s journey in motherhood and let them inspire you to be present in yours.
Plan Ahead
If you’re able to, take a moment to plan for any hiccups you may encounter throughout your day. This way, you won’t be caught off-guard if something otherwise catastrophic were to pop up. If you have a young child likely to have accidents, get dirty, or get fussy, try having extra of everything in your car, for example, clothes, snacks, or wipes. This is vital to alleviating stress and helping your day go as smoothly as possible.
Talk To Someone
Lastly, don’t bottle your feelings up inside. Life, in general, will have you feeling sad, angry, or resentful; and life with children is no different. Being strong doesn’t mean pretending that things don’t get to you every once in a while. Sit down and chat with your friend, partner, or even your mom to gain some insight into managing your stress better.
Speaking to a therapist can also have incredible benefits if within your reach. Therapists can remind you of all of the admirable things you do while giving you concrete suggestions on how to process your emotions healthily and provide you with coping mechanisms when you feel stressed.
Whatever you do, remember that you don’t have to do it alone.
Last Updated on June 26, 2023 by Lucy Clarke
