I have a special place in my heart for working moms. My daughter Amber is one of the hardest working moms I know. And I’ve been blessed to be surrounded by friends who are strong, capable, and graceful. I know that parenting, in itself, it’s the toughest job in the world. Which is why I feel that, from time to time, we need to be reminded that it’s ok to go after your dreams and pursue your passions. It’s also ok to take some time for yourself to reflect, rejuvenate and reenergize. At the end of the day, you’re working towards making the best possible life for you and your family. And nothing is more precious than that. If you’re in need of a reminder, here are some words of wisdom I’d love to share with all the working moms out there. Keep going strong!
Words of Wisdom for the Working Moms
You don’t have to do it all. Being a mom doesn’t mean giving yourself up completely to your children and living only for them. It means finding a balance where you can feel like yourself as a woman, a mother, a wife, an entrepreneur, and then some. That being said, that doesn’t mean you have to do it all at once. You don’t have to be a perfect housekeeper, cook, business woman, interior decorator, and Pinterest style mother persona. Just be you and be true to who you are – and find a balance, making a true list of priorities.
It’s OK to ask for help. That being said, sometimes it can be easy, as women, to assume that we can wear every single hat and expect that we need to do it all perfectly. This is a truly unrealistic concept. Yes, we are capable of incredible things. But it also means knowing when to ask for help in accomplishing these things. Don’t be afraid to ask for assistance – it’s not a sign of weakness, but rather one of wisdom. Knowing how, when and with who to get your goals accomplished is priceless insight. Don’t let pride take over and blur your vision. Delegate when you need to; it’ll help you avoid feeling drained and having nothing left to give to anyone or anything. Invest your energy wisely.
Really go after your passions. If you’re going to spend time away from your kids, make it count. This means really focusing on your passions, on that thing you really want to succeed at. Because that will, in turn, become what your family is proud of you for. It’ll set the example for your children that it’s ok to follow your dreams instead of helping to build someone else’s. Because, really, that’s one of the most valuable lessons you can teach your children. Lead by example and teach them how it’s done.
Take time for yourself. This isn’t a want. It’s a need. You need to take care of yourself in order to be able to take care of your family in the best way. If that means taking an hour out of your day to exercise or 30 minutes to do yoga or meditate, that’s great – do it! If you don’t, you’ll only be passing on the negative energy and frustration that inevitably builds up when you neglect yourself.
Set your own rules. Don’t compare your mothering style to anyone else’s. What works for you may not work for your friend and vice versa. This means not beating yourself up over the decision to be a fully-immersed working mom. It also means figuring out what works for you, even if that means enlisting help, employing a nanny, sending your child to a nearby daycare, working from home, or even home schooling. Whatever the answer is for you, stick to it and make peace with it, because you’re the only one who has to live with it and the only one who knows what’s right for you and your family. Don’t let anyone else judge you for coming up with whatever unique solution works for you and yours.
If you’re a working mom, let me hear from you! How do you get it all done?
