With Mother’s Day just around the corner, I find myself reflecting on the past three years since I became a mom—and how drastically different each year has been. Becoming a mother has undoubtedly been the toughest yet most fulfilling role I’ve ever taken on. I know every mom can relate when I say that motherhood is the hardest, most rewarding job out there.
Being a working mom adds another layer of challenges. Through all of it, I’ve learned how to set priorities and establish boundaries. I won’t pretend I have everything figured out, but I finally feel like I’ve gotten a handle on this whole working-mom thing (let’s hope that doesn’t change as Chloe grows older)! So this year, I partnered with DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse to share some of my personal truths about balancing work and family.
Here are the top 7 tips I believe every working mom should know:
- Communication
My first tip, though it may sound obvious, is communication. Besides having a group chat, we keep a master family calendar displayed at home. I mark dates when I’m traveling or have late-night events. That way Allen and my in-laws (who help with Chloe) always know my schedule ahead of time—no last-minute surprises. Being away from family is stressful for you and for those around you. If you prefer digital tools, a shared Google Calendar works great too. I’m just old-fashioned and like seeing dates on paper.
- Know Your Limits
As a working mom, it’s easy to feel guilty and try to overcompensate. I used to try doing everything after returning from a big trip—early mornings, breakfast, school prep, cleaning, pickups, bath time, dinner, and bedtime. I felt so bad for missing small things while I was away that I thought I had to do it all. I’ve since learned it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Splitting responsibilities, setting ground rules, and recognizing your limits are crucial. No one can do everything, so take it one step at a time.
- Don’t Hesitate to Ask for Help
That’s why it’s important to have a few reliable people in your life. As the saying goes, “when it rains, it pours.” So if you ever need a “you day” or even just an hour to recharge, ask someone to step in. There’s nothing worse than bringing work stress home. If you need time to clear your mind, don’t feel guilty about it.
- Protect Family Time
I love what I do, and nothing gets between me and my work—and I apply the same attitude to my family. Boundaries and ground rules on both sides are essential. Whether it’s one hour or thirty minutes, do your best to put your phone away and focus fully on making memories and being present. When Allen and I have family time, we love taking Chloe for ice cream, and she adores running around at the mall or park—any wide-open space, really. There’s no better feeling than watching your child laugh freely out of pure joy.
- Play Fair
Most of the time, I leave work at the office and am fully present with Chloe at home. Occasionally I work from home and need to get a lot done, but those are exceptions. I know some parents may disagree, but if mommy is working, I have to be fair—I can’t expect her to entertain herself, so I allow some screen time. I’m upfront about it, so she understands. When I’m writing emails, she can watch child-friendly YouTube shows, but once I’m done, screen time ends. You can’t expect kids to be perfect, so you have to meet them halfway.
(I’ve discovered plenty of great educational videos and games that encourage learning rather than just zoning out. Would you like me to do a post about that?)
- Show Enthusiasm for Work
It was funny—a few weeks ago, Chloe told me she didn’t want to go to school; she wanted to work instead. She probably doesn’t fully understand what that means, but she assumes work is fun for me because I talk about it with so much joy. I think she sees it as mommy’s playtime. Positive affirmations are important in every area of life. Kids are sponges, absorbing everything. Just last weekend, I asked if she wanted to go to the park or to work, and she said work! Even though we all have hard days, instead of complaining, I try to express how much I love working and what a blessing it is to provide for our family. Hopefully, that will encourage her to become a strong, working young woman.
Sponsored by DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse, but all opinions are my own.
- Ditch the Word “Balance”
Some of you may have heard me say this before: I now avoid the word “balance” because chasing it is exhausting. Just when you think you’ve got it, everything shifts and falls out of sync again. Constantly pursuing balance feels like an uphill battle that never ends. Instead, I think of it like a seesaw. There will be seasons when work is crazy and your personal life takes a back seat. And there will be seasons when your family needs you more and demands your focus. A seesaw is hard to keep level, but if you accept that every season has its purpose, you’ll feel a bit better about it all.
As I said, I don’t have everything figured out, but these tips and reminders have really helped me stay sane. Are any of you working moms? I’d love to hear your thoughts and tips—share them below!
PS: If you’re interested, you can shop our family’s DSW shoes via the links below!
