How to Balance Career With Motherhood

Writing is One Career Option for Moms

The classic challenge of working vs. stay-at-home moms: how to balance?

Things You'll Need

• children
• ambition
• patience
• laughter
• chocolate
• a good husband
• wine or other alcohol comes in handy as well

Instructions

1. Have a Child. Ok, so now that you're a mother, how will you balance the new center of your universe with the need to make money and feel successful in your work?

2. Consider priorities. Can you afford to stay home or do you need your income from working? Different people define 'need' to work differently. If you truly want to be home full time, you can make that happen and if you truly need to continue working, you will make that happen as well.

3. Be flexible and be creative. Are there other skills you have that will allow you to make money while being at home? Consider part-time work, even if it means working retail on nights and weekends so you can be home with baby/babies during the day.

4. Lose the Guilt. If you need to work full time and be away from your children, do not feel guilty about it. Being a provider is one of the key roles in motherhood, and children are very flexible. Remember though that in motherhood, the days are long but the years are short. Cherish quality time with your children no matter what career path you have.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't waste time at work being guilty about not being home and time at home being guilty about not being at work.

• Compartmentalize. Be at home when you're home, and at work when you're working.

Resources

• Pew Research: Part Time Work Preferred By Mothers