The world is changing, the people are adopting a more progressive lifestyle and mindset, and the entire scenario is currently improving. Today, more women, more than ever are employed and make up for half of the workforce in major countries.
According to the World Bank, the employment percentage of women employed in between 1990 to 2000 was approximately 39 percent. But, in 2005, women employment rate took a huge leap and jumped to 40 percent. On a global level, according to the data collected in 2016, around 39% of women are currently employed.
Due to the change in culture, and people adopting a progressive mindset towards women in the society, the status of women is gradually changing from a home keeper to an independent individual. The problem is, this progressive culture has helped the woman in improving their lives to fight against the laid back norms of the society, and achieve equal job opportunities which have created equal troubles for them, especially for a working mother.
Thanks to the constant war waged against inequality, women living in 2017 are in far better conditions compared to the women in earlier decades. But, there are still certain loopholes in the corporate organization policies which govern working women. The company’s employee policy is same for a woman and man, which is slightly inappropriate considering the other responsibilities women are entitled to fulfill.
A woman doesn’t matter if she is in a higher position in an office, she needs time to take care of her family, spend time with her child, and relax at the same time. But, the kind of work is assigned to a woman, there is no way she can complete it properly and take out time for her other responsibilities. As it doesn’t matter how much you progress in life when it comes to children, a woman is still the mother, and a man is still the father of the child. And, even if the father is trying hard, he can’t ever fulfill the needs of a child that they have from their mother.
Being a working mother can lead to problems, especially feelings of guilt and stress because of lacking balance between work life and family which divides the attention. Now, the lack of attention and deficiency of time for your child affects your relationship, and this would lead to serious troubles later on.
Here are 13 ways to help working mothers in maintaining a balance between career and family, so you can spend quality time with your child.
#1. Turn Off Your Smart Phone
Working mothers can easily improve their relationship with a mother-child time or something like that which can help parents spend some quality time with their child. Not the entire day or night, an hour or two every day would be more than enough, but consistency is necessary. If you think you can’t manage the time, try to make it a weekday activity.
It doesn’t have to be something big or something unpractical, you can even try bedtime stories. Most of the working mothers are back before their child's bedtime, and there are very fewer chances of missing the routine activity this way. However, make sure storytime is not limited to just telling stories, try to get into a conversation with your child.
One more important piece of advice, kindly leaves your work in the office and switch off your smartphones. When you’re with your kids, be with your kid both physically and mentally, and enjoy the time.
(Image Courtesy: HBS Working Knowledge)
#2. Focus On Little Things
The little things when done with love and compassion with your kids in daily life matter more than those big parties hosted on birthdays. If you carefully observe, there are many situations that occur in daily life when you can establish a moment with your kid and cherish it later.
A kiss before your kid goes to bed or one as soon as your kid wakes up can help you strengthen the lovely bond. Don’t worry if the kids pretend as if they get annoyed with your kisses, but the truth is that they really appreciate it more when the embraces keep on coming even after they grow older, at least they know you still care about them as you did earlier.
A hug a day can save the day. Okay! About a hug, no one hates it for sure. A hug from your loved ones can turn the worst days into the best ones. So, working mothers, use this heavenly medicine to keep your mom-kid relationship healthy and blossoming. Give your kid a hug whenever they feel low, before you drop them at school, before you say goodnight and leave the room, and sometimes even when they wake up in the morning. Also, the need for a warm hug coming from the mother increases as we kids get old.
#3. Share Your Chores With Your Kid
A moment with mother doesn't matter if it's while washing the dishes together or while washing clothes together, or even while cooking together can strengthen the relationships. But, ensure that your kid doesn't take it as a punishment or he/she will perceive it in a way that you would never want them to do. Ask them in a softer tone, "Hey champ, would you like to help your mother in washing the dishes, I need a superhero to clean these dirty dishes?" and you'll never get a NO in response. This trick even works on husbands if they're superhero fans.
(Image Courtesy: SattiPattana)
#4. Take Help From Super Grand Parents
Grandparents are always kids favorite. Every kid has a special bond with grandparents which can’t be explained. It’s like the bond between two children, the only difference here is that one of them has hairs which turned grey with time reflecting the experience they have garnered. Working mothers can take a little help from their own parents or their in-laws, they certainly are more experienced and can fill up the void that your absence creates in your kid's life. Also, having your parents taking care of your kids while you’re working ensures that your kid doesn’t feel alienated and ignored, getting into wrong things. So, pick up the phone number and call your super granny and grandpa.
#5. Hire Some Helping Hands
A maid is more than just a maid when you are not able to take out time for your kid while you're at home. So, hire a cost-effective maid who can help you in cooking meals and use the free time to spend with your kid.
(Image Courtesy: United Channel)
#6. Involve Your Kids In Your Personal Works
Dear working mothers, we can understand that babysitting is not your only responsibility and you have to take out time for yourself too. So, how about taking some personal time out and indulging in recreational activities together with your kids? Tell me if you don't say "awww" when you see a mother and her kid shopping together, cooking together, and even dancing together? YES, you do. It looks adorable. So, working mothers can involve their kids in their recreational activities like shopping, buying groceries, or even in official parties sometimes. They will love being with you as much you would love having them with you, and not to forget, you will look adorable together.
#7. Don't Stress On Small Stuff
Parenting is tough and we all know that. Even we were kids once and we have seen our mothers struggling, juggling herself in between family and work. While trying to strike a balance between family and work life, you’ll get frustrated. In some cases, the frustration and stress will get on your nerves and you’ll break out. Let’s assume you come back home frustrated and you have to do the laundry, clean the dishes and suddenly your kiddo drops his milk on the floor; you will get pissed off. But, we would like to say, whenever you get stuck in such situations, don’t panic, get in a room and relax before getting back to it.
(Image Courtesy: Medium)
#8. Manage Your Time Effectively
Dear working moms, if you can master the art of time-management, you'll be no less than a super mom for your kids. And don't worry, it's not that hard. Anyone can master the art of time management, it's like baking a cake; all you have to do is to know when to switch off the oven.
Instead of running to and fro to get your kids get ready for school in time along with preparing breakfast, do half of the things and organize yourself a night before morning.
#9. Create And Organize A Family Calendar
Having a family calendar can make things easy for you. A family calendar helps in preparing your priority list properly and leaves proper space to fit in your parenting time within. Mark the important dates in the calendar and also set a reminder on your smartphone about every important thing that you can't afford to forget.
Figure out your family and your priorities and mark them on the calendar. Take out 15 minutes each day to prepare yourself for the next day activities or 15 minutes each Sunday to review and prepare for the upcoming week's schedule. This activity will save you from the element of surprise and keep you organized.
(Image Courtesy: Tracy Hensel)
#10. Create Special Activities
Weekends are mostly wasted in sleeping and doing unnecessary things, whereas, it can be utilized as an opportunity to spend some quality time with kids. Plan a special mother and kid activity and make it a ritual to be followed at any cost. Something like Sunday mother and son/daughter special cooking or mom and daughter/son night out might work well if you're okay with it.
#11. Stay Connected While Working
It's not a compulsion that you've to be physically present to spend time with your kids. Thanks to some great inventions like the internet and mobile phones, you can be with your kids while you're at office simultaneously. You can call your little champ when they get back home from school or something like that. No employer will mind that, so, it can be a good way to stay in touch with your kids while you’re away.
(Image Courtesy: HBS Working Knowledge)
#12. Talk To Your Partner
Sharing some of your responsibilities can help you take out time for yourself and use that to maintain the family and work balance. Talk to your partner and ask them to help you, aware them of the situation and ask them to share some of your responsibilities. Small things like doing the dishes, or preparing the meal sometimes in your place can work and save you some time that you can use with your kids.
Don't hesitate, your partner will understand your problem and help you out if you trust them. If you're the mother of a kid, they are the father of the same kid and they will understand the importance of your presence for your kid.
#13. Talk To Your Employer
Talking to your employer to work out on something that can help you manage both things better might help. But, before you approach the HR representative or your boss, prepare a list of things which you need and a solution to make up for the loss occurring because of your needs.
Most companies are very flexible about such things and have policies that can help working mothers manage better and efficiently. Work from home, flexible working hours, and other such policies are something that can help. And don’t worry, most of the employees are suffering from the same problem and they will understand.
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It’s not easy for working mothers to manage their family and work simultaneously. But, things can be easier if all the family members and the employer supports the working mothers.
43% of working women today, leave their well-paying jobs to spend time with the kids. Yet, if you think that's their problem, you must step in her shoes and live her life for one day. Being an employer, try to make your policies a little flexible for your female staffs, especially working mothers. Being a family member, try to fill the absence of the mother with your presence and efforts to keep the kids engaged so they don't feel alone.
We hope you liked the article. And, if you have any suggestions for our hard-working employed mothers, let us know using the comment section and help them out.
(Featured Image Courtesy: Zena)
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