I'm not sure about you, but i'm awake before my kids every morning and I hit the ground running. I'm trying to get myself dressed, everyone else up and out the door and to school on time, and then I rush off to work without even having time to get breakfast (I just wait and eat at work) and as soon as I'm finished at work, I rush home, pick up kids, make the rounds of after school activities, cook dinner, work on home work, bathe kids, tuck them in, try to get in an hour of down time, before I'm off to bed, and repeating the same scenerio the very next day.
I've always been a working mom, and I've always had two jobs on top of the many mom hats I wear, and somewhere along the way, I've learned a few survival tips or hacks. I'm sharing those with you today, and I'd love for you to share a few of your own hacks as well!
I bring you...... Working Mom Survival Tips.
Be Honest With Your Employer
First and foremost, I think it's important that your employer know and understand that you're a mom and that you have a life outside of work. When I go on interviews, I'm sure to let them know that my husband has a job that takes him away from home for several hours a day (sometimes 12-14, and he travels a lot too.) I also let them know that we don't live near family, so when it comes to my kids, I pretty much do it all.
I always want to be honest with my employer.
I also let them know that I'm sure to finish work at work, and that I don't like to take work home. I feel like there's a place for work, and there's a place for my kids and family. It's very rare, that I'm doing paperwork at home when I should be with my kids.
Have a Schedule
From the time my kids were young, we had a schedule and we stuck to it as best as possible. We always had a consistent bedtime, even when they were infants. And now, bedtime is at 8:00. Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule, but we try to adhere closely to our bedtime schedule. This also allows me to have some "me" time at the end of the day.
Limit After School Activities
I know a lot of my working mom friends have kid activities several nights a week, and they're at the ball field all weekend long. For us, that wasn't a sacrifice we were willing to make. Of course, if that works for your family, then that's great! But, in the Fall, our Saturdays are devoted to football and supporting DJ at work and cheering on our team. We let the girls know that his work is important and that we should be there to support him.
We also allow only 1 activity at a time. Again, we've made exceptions- like twice the girls have played basketball in January and February, while continuing their acting or gymnastics classes. But, that's when DJ has some "off" time and he's able to help out, so I'm not doing it alone.
We also try to plan one night of activities, so I schedule all of the girls activities on the same day. Megan and Adalyn both take gymnastics at the same place, so it's fairly easy for them to have class on the same day. Then, we try to have Gretchen's activity the same day as well; somewhere close by, and at a time that I can make sure she's there and picked up.
Right now, Tuesday's are our crazy nights, but the rest of the week is low key, and then we have weekends free.
Fix Lunches The Night Before
This is probably my favorite hack. Our mornings are SO rushed that there's no way I can fix lunches before school. On Sunday afternoons, I make individual servings of fruits and vegetables, and I'm not ashamed to throw an uncrustables in a lunch box. I know they're not the healthiest option, but sometimes at the end of the day, I'm exhausted.
The girls school lunches typically consistent of veggies: bell peppers, tomatoes, carrots, baby cucumbers..... fruits: strawberries, oranges, apple slices, blueberries, grapes......
We also keep two fridge drawers stocked- one of juice boxes, and the other of applesauce, yogurt tubes, hummus....
If I can grab and go, it makes lunch packing a bit easier, and some nights, I do make them a sandwich.
If packing lunches isn't your thing, then let your kids buy a school lunch, but talk to them about how to make healthy food choices.
Everyone Pitches In
I definitely can run my household myself. As the girls have gotten older, this has obviously gotten easier. Every night, they unload the dishwasher. They also put away their laundry, bring down their dirty clothes, clean the toilets, feed the dog, pick out their own snack.....
I let them know that we all have to pitch in and help each other, and DJ and I set the example too by tag teaming on the chores.
During football season, I do a little more chores because DJ isn't home often, but he sure does pick up the slack during the Spring and Summer and helps out a bunch. We had to have some very honest conversations a few years ago, to really get a system that works for us, but if you need your husband's help- tell him! Chances are, he just doesn't realize how much help you need. Communication is key!
Okay, dish below some of your working mom hacks below!!!! I'd love to pick up a few more to help me survive these crazy days!
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