It's the toughest business on earth but women like you and me do it everyday. Some of us are lucky enough to have help while others emerge heroic figures who can balance it all. Achieving an optimum work-home balance has become the hot and central yet frightfully real theme in every working mother's world. We think constantly about it. We fret about it and worry whether we are doing it right. And whatever happens, we can be sure that we always try to do the best we can.
My office is situated at my home. Now while it sounds wonderful to assure your children that you maybe at work but just one door away, it brings with it its unique set of complications. Sometimes my six year old daughter will want my undivided attention and that might be the time when I get a call from a client that needs my total attention.
But there are too many plusses for a home based career. It gives you the flexibility of choosing your work times. There are days when I can sit peacefully at my computer in the night when the kids are in bed and of course I can get a lot of work done. Yet like mothers everywhere, I too sometimes worry if I have struck the balance right.
There are choices we can make to ensure the best mix comes out of having to balance our careers and our homes. Often they are practical tips anyone of us can aspire to - with a little bit of common sense.
Decide just how you are going to achieve the balance -
Some mothers maybe engaged in careers that take them out of the house often. If that's the case then you need to develop a routine that you intend to stick to. A routine that will include, as much as possible, scheduled times when you spend time outside. It may not be always possible to do this but trying to develop such a calendar is helpful in determining the times you are likely to be away and then to fit your schedule around that. For an example, if you need to be away on three days a week, then you can adjust the balance days around the kids and their work.
Once you have developed a routine, try to stick to it -
There are times when a child falls sick that you need to turn away from your schedule but at other times, it is good to stick to the schedule you have developed.
Get over the guilt-
The guilt can sometimes be overwhelming. As a friend said the other day, no matter how much you do, you never get over the guilt. Coming to terms with your guilt helps - you can constantly assure yourself that you are doing the best you can.
Find some me time -
Me time is important for busy career moms. You can spend some me time at the end or the beginning of the day. Spending a few minutes by yourself in the morning before the day's hustle and bustle takes over, is ideal, whether to pray or reflect upon the day in front of you.
Finding some me time also means you can spend it to reload - whether visiting a spa, getting a mani-pedi done or simply doing nothing but having a coffee can clear your head marvelously and empower you to perform better the dual roles of mother and careerwoman.
There's so much we can share and learn from in achieving the perfect balance of work and home. We have just touched the tip of the iceberg.
