Being a mom is hard work, but being a working mom is even more challenging! We at RecruitMyMom, understand the pressures that a working mom is under, from taking care of your children, preparing meals, dealing with household responsibilities, and the stress of balancing a career. It can sometimes feel like you are a circus juggler, trying not to drop any of the balls!
But did you know that you are not alone? A recent survey conducted by Pharma Dynamics, a leading pharmaceutical firm specialising in treating depression and anxiety, found that stress levels have shot up 56% in South Africa. So, if you are feeling overwhelmed, know that you are not alone.
As working moms, we spend most of our time figuring out the best way to cope with our chaotic lives and how to balance it all. Work-life integration is difficult but possible.
"Work-life integration is difficult but possible." - RecruitMyMom
We have compiled some time-saving tips from our own experiences to help moms win at integrating work and life.
Here are some mom time-saving tips to help you:
1. Preparing lunch boxes the night before
Avoid the hectic morning rush by preparing the kid's lunch boxes the night before. Spend some quality time with your kids the night before and let them get involved in helping you make their lunch boxes. You can let them browse in the fridge and cupboards and let them choose what they would like, obviously within reason. Chances are you will get an empty lunchbox when they get home, as they would have enjoyed the food they picked for their lunch.
At the same time as preparing their lunch boxes, pack something for yourself to take to work, so that's one less thing to worry about in the morning. Again, you are more likely to fill a healthy lunch box which is best for your well-being at work.
2. Timesaving tips to get dinner on the table
Nobody feels like cooking for the family after an exhausting day, so do your grocery shopping and cooking on the weekend and then freeze some meals for during the week. On the nights you must cook, don't overthink it; just stick to easy, quick nutritional meals. Other options are supporting local moms who make a living out of cooking healthy homemade meals or signing up for dinner kit services like UCook or Daily Dish.
3. Set up carpools with other working moms
Instead of spending your day in and out of the car, fetching and dropping off your kids, organise a carpool with other parents you know and trust so that you can all save time by sharing the lifts to and from school.
4. Shop your groceries online
With all the new almost instant deliveries you can get from the large shopping retailers, save time on shopping and get them delivered to your doorstep.
5. Learning to say "No" can save time
Being a working mom is often accompanied by feelings of guilt. Moms feel guilty about not being able to spend enough time with their children, not being able to watch sports matches or attend cultural functions, and not being good enough mothers. You don't have to attend every meeting at school, go on all the school outings or take on additional work at the office. It's tough to say no, but it's a way to save time and teach your kids the value of setting boundaries.
"Sometimes we need to say no so that we have more time to say yes" - Suzette Hinton.
6. Be productive with your downtime
Use your downtime to your benefit by making it productive so that you have more quality time to spend with your family.
When you have a few minutes to spare, while you’re waiting in the car for the dance class or the cricket practice to finish, check your emails, do your internet banking or check your social media.
Use your downtime to your benefit by making it productive so that you have more quality time to spend with your family. For example, when you have a few minutes to spare while waiting in the car for the dance class or the cricket practice to finish, check your emails, internet banking, or social media.
7. Hire a remote virtual assistant from RecruitMyMom
Hire a remote virtual assistant from us to assist you with your personal or business needs. For example, a virtual assistant can help you with your finances, administration, social media or personal commitments. Talk to us and learn more.
It's okay to spend time on Facebook and Instagram, but as we all know, you can get carried away with this, and before you know it, hours have passed. Set a timer while you are on these platforms, and once the timer goes off, you know that your time is up.
We know how crazy working and parenting can get. You do not have to be a superwoman. Use the conveniences and support systems around you to save time while building a successful career! We believe in you and everything you contribute to our beautiful society!
