Being a mother and having a full-time job can turn out
to be challenging, for sure. Very often women tend to feel intimidated, lost
and confused about how to balance both roles. But the fact is, it is highly
possible to excel in your workplace while having a successful family life. The
key is to focus on a plan, get organized, and find the right balance between
profession and parenthood. With a little bit of smart planning and
self-confidence, you can totally strike this balance and we are here to tell
you how:
1.
Be
in the moment: It is totally normal for new
mothers to feel guilty about not being at home with their child. However, if
this guilt eats into your focus at workplace, it will affect your performance
and the cycle of guilt will continue. Hence, we suggest being entirely present
where you are. If guilt strikes in the workplace, consciously drive it out by
reminding yourself that this job will help you secure your child’s future and
get her many opportunities.
2. Invest in proper childcare: Another tangible way you could ensure that you
are less worried about your child while at work, is to find out the best
quality care for her while you are away. Make no compromises as far as hiring
the best nanny or getting the best creche is concerned. Good childcare is an
investment: not just in her development but also in your mental well-being and
professional growth. We recommend hiring nannies with a history of long-term
commitments to families, because there is a greater chance they will adjust
well with your child.
3. Planning is the key: You can plan your entire day and prepare
everything you need in the morning the night before to avoid the early morning
rush and chaos. If you have school-going kids, on weeknights it is a good idea
to pack their lunches, lay out their clothes and your own; and decide what to
make for breakfast. You can also do some prior meal prep if needed, to save
time in the morning. If there are any changes in the family schedule, discuss
it the night before.
4. Family calendar: This is a great idea to keep your tasks organised
as per your priorities, as well as involve your kids in the decision-making
process of the family. We recommend sitting down with your kids at least every
fortnight or a week to plan ahead and put it on calendar. You can hang it up in
the hall or kitchen, for everyone to see. Involving your kids has multiple
benefits- you get to spend some time with them, you get some clarity on what
the week looks like, they learn decision making and prioritising and they also
take small steps into being more responsible.
5. Keep the conversation going: Just like you should be involved with your family in
the planning and prioritising process, you should also communicate clearly with
your superior and HR, regarding any constraints you might have. It will help
them tailor your workload accordingly and manage expectations that they have
from you. While seeking maternity leave, it is absolutely imperative that you
are clear about how much leave you will get and how long will you be paid for.
If you channelize your thought process and functioning
in an efficient manner, it will be that much easier for you to not just
function but also excel both in office and at home. We hope this article helped
you do so in an easy manner. All you need to do is to be calm and communicate
clearly, and nothing can stop you from being the super woman you are meant to
be!
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