“Working Mom” by L33tminion is marked with CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.
According to a recent study, about 15.3 million children live with single moms in the United States, and about 3.3 million children live with single dads. Many single parents suffer from stress, anxiety, depression, among other similar conditions. But most single mothers have to go through more severe circumstances. To put things into perspective, blogs like Turtle Quotes paint a clearer picture of what millions of single moms go through every day thanks to their inspirational quotes. In addition to the quotes, here are the top 5 tips for working mom work-life balance.
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Find the ideal job
As a single mother, chances are you’re also the breadwinner for your family. This could mean living a busy lifestyle, sometimes working 12 hours a day or even longer. One of the best tips for work-life balance for single moms is finding the kind of job that works with your parenting schedule.
For example, if you need to drop your kids to school at 9 a.m every weekday, you’ll need a job that accommodates this kind of schedule. Alternatively, consider talking to your supervisor or boss about adjusting your schedule to accommodate your parenting needs if you’re already employed.
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Don’t be afraid to ask for help
Many single moms would rather absorb the stress and pressure of parenting than ask for help. But it’s important to realize that it’s okay to ask for help when you feel overwhelmed. Absorbing the stress and pressure of being a single mom can lead to many other problems, such as anxiety and depression.
When taking care of your kids, you want to ensure that you’re mentally at peace. For this reason, don’t hesitate to ask for help from your friends or family when you need it. Whether it’s childcare, handling custody responsibilities, or running errands, consider reaching out to the people in your circle for some help.
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Spare some time for yourself
Being a single mom and the sole breadwinner is exhausting. Many single working moms spend most of their time working or taking care of their kids or other people.
If that’s how you live, it’s time to spare some time for yourself because the only way you can take care of other people is by taking care of yourself. Think of things you enjoy and try to fit them into your schedule, however packed it is. For example, if you love reading, taking long baths, or watching TV shows, consider putting your kids to bed early to spare some time for yourself.
And if your kids are old enough, you can always train them to accept and respect your ‘me’ time. This may also be the perfect time to ask for help from your friends, family, or relatives. Find out if they’d be willing to watch your kids while you have some ‘me’ time. For best results, talk to them about it well in advance, giving them enough time to plan.
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Spend time with your kids
Your time is one of the best gifts you can ever give your child. Children will remember the special moments they shared with you rather than the toys you bought them. As per one of the most inspirational single mom quotes, nothing you ever do for your children is ever wasted.
Take time to learn more about them, including their behaviors, interests, talents, and everything else there’s to know. While at it, make them feel loved and appreciated by doing little special things for them. Whether you decide to take them out for dinner, read them a book, help with their homework, or even watch a TV show with them, these small gestures will strengthen your relationship with your kids. In addition, spending time with your kids means you won’t feel guilty when it’s time to focus on yourself for a few hours.
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Leave work at work
This is usually easier said than done but not impossible to do. To achieve a work-life balance for working moms, you need to set a boundary between your work and private life. This could mean not picking up work-related phone calls during your off days or bringing your workload home every evening.
Instead, set up a work schedule and stick to it while you’re at work. Of course, there are days when you won’t reach your goals, but that doesn’t mean you should carry your workload home unless necessary. In contrast, it’s a good reason to hang out with your kids, get some rest, and then recharge ahead of the next workday.
The Bottom Line
Learning how to balance work and family will tighten the bond between you and your family and increase your productivity at work. Secondly, don’t be afraid to seek help when you feel overwhelmed. But when looking for help, remember to contact only individuals you trust; otherwise, you won’t enjoy your ‘me’ time.