How to Handle Being a Working Mom

The U.S. Census reports that 51 percent of first-time mothers return to work within four months after giving birth. A mother may return to work by choice, out of necessity, or both. Whatever the reason, it goes without saying that being a working mom is one of the world’s great balancing acts. If you handle it with care, being a working mom can be a rewarding experience. Read on for tips on how to handle being a working mom.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. **Make a realistic schedule.**
   
   Your schedule should be manageable. Don’t let guilt be your motivator when planning out the week. And remember to include some downtime! Scheduling in rest and relaxation periods will give you a chance to relieve built-up stress. As the saying goes, when momma’s unhappy, no one’s happy.

2. **Learn to depend on others.**
   
   Gather up a network of close friends and family you trust who can serve as your support group. Make friends with other working moms who understand where you’re coming from. You and the other moms can share advice on how to handle being a working mom. Weekly play dates for kids can be arranged so you and the other working moms can look forward to a little free time to do things without the kids, like errands (and napping!).

3. **Have faith.**
   
   If you are a working mom who believes in a higher power, now is the time to immerse yourself in that faith. Believing in a higher power often has a calming effect on people, especially working moms. Several studies have found a connection between faith and health. People who can ‘let go and let God’ have found a way to handle stress in their lives, and this helps protect against illness. As a working mom, it may be beneficial to your health to attend church regularly with your family.

4. **Appreciate the natural world around you.**
   
   Even if you are not a religious working mom, you can still gather strength from finding a connection with nature. A simple appreciation of the natural environment around you can relieve some of the stress that comes from being a working mom. Take several moments throughout the day, whether at the playground with your kids or stopped at a red light on your way to work, to look around and see all the beauty that nature has to offer.
   
   Being a working mom is no cakewalk. But with careful planning and a positive attitude, you can find balance between work and family.

Resources

• How to Get Stress Relief with Breathing Exercises
• How to Be Involved at Your Child’s School
• Health-E-Meals: quick recipes that the entire family will like!
• Frugal Mom's guide to once-a-month cooking

[Sush56]

on 11/2/2008 This is such a inspirational article. It is really difficult sometimes, but faith carries me through. Thanks for a wonderful article!

[klnygaard]

on 10/31/2008 great article-5 stars

[RomiH]

on 10/30/2008 Great topic -- This is always important. I also think it's crucial to remember that at any point, you can always ask for a hand...sometimes that's best for everyone!

[Susang6]

on 10/30/2008 Life as a working mom must be really hard. Your article is well written, lending support to moms that need to work out of the home. Great Great article.

[bar10dr98]

on 10/30/2008 Great tips on being a working mom, thanks!