Finding the time and energy to achieve everything you want and need is straightforward when you're young and single with no children to look after. It becomes increasingly challenging as your life grows and you take on more obligations. To ensure that neither your family nor your profession suffers, you must devote more time and effort to both.
It's been said that experience is the greatest teacher, and five moms in leadership roles have shared their personal work-life balance experiences and tips to help other working mothers. So how do you maintain a work-life balance as a working-class mother? Here are some work-life balance tips for moms-
Make it clear that you’re a mother
Business Development lead and Operations Manager for Brand Promoters, Wanjiru Kinyanjui, stated that motherhood showed her a new side of herself that she had never seen - “a stronger, patient, undoubtedly calmer and a fiercer me.”
“When I started my current job, I made it very clear to my employer that I am a mother. I negotiated for flexibility concerning my child, and fortunately, I am being accommodated. I've learned a few tricks that have helped me avoid abusing my flexibility and neglecting my responsibilities. Here are some tips: -
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Make sure you are at ease with your nanny. If you're desperate, don't settle with just anyone. Be choosy. They are, after all, spending most of the day with your child. This provides you with enough time to concentrate at work.
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Plan out your week in advance and stick to your timetables and deadlines. Before becoming a mother, I worked on a tight deadline. Now, when it comes to planning, I'm pretty meticulous.
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Evenings are not for phones. When I get home, I forget I have a phone for a couple of hours. It’s family time, period!
Clearly define and outline your values
Kemi Ogunkoya, a leadership coach, international speaker, and the creator of Rellies Work, spoke about the significance of defining your values: what matters most to you?
“To be successful as a wife, mother, and business leader, I integrate the requirements of these critical positions and utilize my values as a guide to deploying my resources at the appropriate moment, so I am not under the burden of balance but rather enjoying the fruits of integration.”
That’s the secret to striking a balance between work and family life. Don’t try to do too much at once; instead, prioritize your activities according to your values.
If you must care for others, you must care for yourself first
Patience Ndunge, Front Desk Associate (Customer Service) at Nairobi Garage shared that motherhood makes you better at multitasking, decision-making and prioritizing your activities. But you must first care for yourself before properly caring for others. Try doing the following: -
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Connect with your inner self and listen to your needs to practice self-care. This is proper nourishment for the soul.
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Movement - Exercising is an essential aspect of sustaining my mental health; working out in the office or walking home after work has always worked for me.
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Practice self-compassion - It is easier said than done; it was also difficult for me to let go of my perfectionism, but this merely resulted in a build-up of stress over time. Don’t be afraid to say no or even take a break.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help
Christine Muthoni, Marketplace Manager at Cars45 Kenya shared that “Motherhood made me change the way I looked at things, it made me enjoy the little things more, and care far more about the future of the world than I had previously. Because there will come a time when I'm no longer there for my children, and I'll want to make sure they're secure.” Here’s how asking for assistance helped me create a balance: -
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Get a helping hand for the house: I needed to stop drowning in housework, so I hired a housekeeper to help me take care of the chores.
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Ask for some “me time” - Because your time is divided between your home and your job, it is critical to keep track of your energy levels. You can't be a good employee or parent if you're irritable, so take care of yourself so that you can feel at ease and productive. Communicate rest days with your office and also your family.
Do not stretch yourself too thin
Linda Naisalei, Regional Development Manager at Goodlife pharmacy Africa, stated that “The greatest change is realizing that my life is no longer my own. Almost every decision I make is with my child in mind. Sometimes you have to accept that what's best for them isn't always what's best for you, and it's challenging to strike a balance.”
Nobody has superpowers when it comes to parenting. You will frequently find yourself in situations where two worlds collide, and you must choose between them. It's okay if you can't do everything. Give yourself a pat on the back.
It is important to note that there is no 'correct way' to achieve work-life balance. What the amazing women in this blog have done has worked for them, but it is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Try and try till you get what works for you. Need some more work-life balance for moms? Check this out.