For most parents – and particularly for mothers, the shift from work to parenting is huge. But so is the move back from parent to ‘working parent’. The reality is, you now have at least two jobs – ‘work’ work and ‘home’ work. Regardless of how much you love either (or both) it’s a situation that takes a bit of a strategy ensure things roll smoothly. Here are Funda’s 5 top tips for working mums:

1. Guilt isn’t helpful.

Of all the emotions which humans spend time with, guilt is one of the most fruitless. Feeling guilty about going back to work, being at work, or not being with your children because you’re at work – or any number of the myriad variations on this theme – aren’t making a positive contribution to your week. Chances are, you’ve gone back to work for a reason: likely, it’s either for financial reasons, which is great (you’re helping your family stay afloat or get ahead), or it’s for career reasons (also great, you’re creating a career which nurtures you outside of your role as a parent). Once that decision has been made, roll with it. That’s not to say it’ll be easy, but keep reminding yourself that you made the decision for a reason.

2. Plan ahead.

Balancing work and home typically involves a lot of planning ahead. Organise as much as you can the night before, whether that’s your work outfit, the kids’ clothes, everyone’s lunches, whatever needs doing. That way, the morning has more of a chance that everyone can cruise on autopilot to get out the door on time.

3. Cook up a storm.

Healthy eating is important, but coming home to cook a big meal after a long day at work isn’t easy. Find a slot on the weekend or a non-work day where you can ‘batch’ cook some dinners to put in the freezer. A slow cooker (a cheap investment) is also a big timesaver, as you can spend 10 minutes chopping ingredients, throw everything in and leave it on low till the end of the day when you walk in the door to a hot, healthy family meal.

4. Limit distractions.

There’s a balance here, because everyone needs downtime. But time is precious now, so ask yourself, do you want to be spending all your free time in front of the television or on Facebook? Perhaps a bath, or a book might be more nurturing – at least some of the time.

5. Nurture yourself – and your relationship.

Self care is easy to throw out the window when you’re a working mum; after all, you’re spending a lot of time looking after everyone else. But it’s important to take some time each week just for you. Whether that’s a yoga class, a glass of red in the bath, or a date night with your partner; even a small dose of regular ‘me time’ can pay significant dividends for your wellbeing.

Funda can help you manage juggling work and home by:
Helping plan ways to save time during your week.
Offering an ear to discuss challenges at work or home.
Devising strategies to keep your work and home life in better balance.