5 Tips to Achieve Work/Life Balance by Wendie Barragan
The morning alarm goes off..
…and I immediately hit the snooze button. As I lay in bed, I start scrolling through my to do list. I get up and start my coffee to fully wake up. My morning starts by getting my kids ready for school. Then I get ready and rush out the door before traffic starts. Unfortunately, there is not a guidebook to help you figure out how to work full-time and be a mom boss. During my motherhood journey, I have discovered a few tips to simplify my daily routine all while working outside the home.
It is ok to say no. You need to set limits on how and where you spend your time. Volunteering at school activities is great way to show support for your kids’ school but you don’t need to participate every week. Are the weekend party invites overwhelming you? It is ok to decline. Spending quality time to bond with your kids is so important; they will always treasure the memories! Did you schedule mom-me time? It might be a solo trip to Target after work or a manicure at your favorite nail salon, but you need time for your self-care!
Reduce your time on weekly errands. Going to the grocery store with kids can be a daunting chore. During the weekends, it is almost impossible to avoid the long checkout lines. Many stores such as Kroger, Walmart and Target offer curbside pick up. The small fee for pickup is worth paying when you can save time and the headaches you will avoid hauling cranky kids.
Teach your kids to help with chores. Kids as young as three can help with basic chores. Putting toys away and keeping the floor clear is simple for all kids to learn. As they get older, laundry and setting the dishwasher is a huge help. Sometimes, I think, as moms we feel like chores must be done our way. I feel that if the end results in the chore being complete, you did a great job in teaching your kids to help you. Plus, it will pay off when they become self-sufficient teenagers!
Enjoy your work and family life. Mommy guilt is a real emotion that can take away the joy of your work and family life. Allowing yourself to enjoy your job is a gift to yourself. I like to think of work as a break away from my mom duties. Now that my kids are older, I appreciate that they are in school and I can focus on my job. On my way home, I take the time to fully disconnect from work mode and switch gears to mommy mode.
Be perfectly imperfect. You don’t have to do it all. Worrying about the chores you didn’t finish, the missed parties you didn’t attend, or focusing on your crazy busy schedule can really zap the joy out of motherhood. Practicing mindfulness can bring your attention back to enjoy life in the present moment. Every day will have its own anxieties. You can learn to accept that; you don’t have control over everything that may happen in life. Your kids don’t want a perfect mom, they need a happy mom.
Every family has different values and every mom will run her household in a way that falls in line with her values, priorities, and lifestyle. Personally, I enjoy simplifying my day to fully enjoy my kids; whom I miss every second we are apart. I need to give my kids the best version of myself.
I have fully accepted that laundry and chores will never end, that I will make mistakes, and I will never be the “perfect” mom.
When I come home after a long workday and my kids ask me to go to the park, they know I rarely say no. Their smiles and laughter energize me and I feel that I am doing something right.
About Wendie
Hi, I’m Wendy
Wendie is a professional taco connoisseur, mother of 2, and nature lover. She is focused on building a community that supports bilingual, Latina moms just like her.