Striking the Perfect Work-Life Balance as a Mum

As a busy mum of three, navigating the relentless demands of both a career and parenting, I often wrestle with the omnipresent 'mum guilt'. Whether it's feeling absent when the kids return from school, or the pangs of remorse during their exam seasons, the struggle is very real. Despite my kids being teenagers—who fortunately don't need constant supervision—the guilt never fully ebbs, especially during significant moments like exams.

Running my own business while being actively involved in various projects, I find maintaining a work-life balance both challenging and crucial. Time spent with my children is undeniably my favorite part of the day. Our weekends together are sacred, and after-school time, despite being packed with homework, tutoring, and sports, is precious. These moments are critical—they represent milestones, marking another year my children grow older, times I know I can never relive or reclaim if missed.

I love a good podcast and in a recent episode of "The Diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett," Mo Gawdat shared an alarming insight that 80% of illnesses are linked to the emotional stress often compounded by such guilt and the relentless pace of modern life. He issues a critical reminder of the hazards of neglecting our well-being and the importance of prioritizing our health over productivity. Gawdat advocates for significant lifestyle changes, especially for those feeling overwhelmed by the demands of work and family life. His message is a wake-up call to all of us caught in the hustle of professionalism and parenting: our health and time with loved ones must come first.

Echoing Gawdat's sentiments, I too believe more resources should be made available to support working parents. The dream of a recruitment agency tailored specifically for parents—be that mums or dads—who need the flexibility to work from home while being present for their children, remains elusive. If such options were more prevalent, balancing the scales of livelihood and parenting wouldn't feel like an either/or scenario.

So, readers, if you know of any initiatives or recruitment agencies focusing on flexible work arrangements for parents, please share them. I know our mums at our Mum Club would love to know about this. It's vital for us to explore and expand such opportunities, ensuring we don't miss out on the fleeting, precious moments with our children while securing our financial needs. Hopefully working towards a future where work-life balance is not just a possibility but a given.

Finding the right work-life balance can feel like searching for a mythical creature. However, achieving this balance is not only possible, but it can also bring significant benefits to our health and family life. After chatting with our mums here are some practical tips that help us to find that balance and enjoy both worlds a bit more harmoniously:

Set Realistic Expectations

Understand that balancing work and life doesn’t mean doing everything perfectly. It’s about making choices and compromises and feeling okay with them. Being a good mum/parent and an effective professional doesn’t require perfection.

Priorities Your Tasks

Use tools like planners or apps to keep track of family and work schedules. I have everything on my phone planner and thankfully it gives me that needed reminders. I know that chatting to some of our mums that visualizing your week can help you manage your time more effectively and make you feel less overwhelmed. Something I haven't tried myself.

Establish Boundaries

Setting clear boundaries is crucial. Decide on your work hours and stick to them as much as possible. If you work from home, try creating a dedicated workspace.

Embrace Flexibility

If your job allows, explore flexible working arrangements like adjusted hours, telecommuting, or part-time work. Flexibility can reduce stress and make it easier to manage both career and home responsibilities. If you have the full financial responsibility solo as a parent to look after everyone then part time isn't even an option.

Make Time for Yourself

Carve out time for yourself to do things you enjoy, whether it’s reading, exercising, or simply taking a quiet bath. This not only rejuvenates you but also makes you a more patient, focused parent and a more productive worker. At our Mum Club we meet 8am every Sunday and go sea swimming, the girls all bring a flask of coffee for after our swim and we enjoy a good giggle and lots of chats after.

Connect with Your Children

Quality time with your children can help alleviate the guilt some working mums feel. If they are younger i always thought for me that reading a book together before bed was such a peaceful and precious time to have with the kids. Now i have teenagers, in our home cooking food and all eating together is a great time to just talk about their day and that can make a big difference.

Build a Support Network

Having a support network is vital. This can include family, friends, coworkers, or fellow mums who understand the pressures of balancing a career with parenting. They can offer advice, help out when needed, and provide a sympathetic ear.

Reflect and Adjust

Regularly take time to reflect on how things are going. What’s working well? What isn’t? Adjust your strategies as needed. Life changes, and so will your needs and the needs of your family.

Achieving work-life balance as a mum isn’t about doing everything. It’s about doing what’s right for you and your family and finding fulfillment both at home and at work. With some planning, communication, and self-care, it is possible to build a satisfying and balanced life.

Fiona - The Solo Mum Club

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