An Array Of Useful Survival Guidelines For Exhausted Working Mums
Sometimes you feel that pure adrenaline alone is keeping you going and you wonder how you are able to survive, let alone function well at work and juggle all the other requirements of being a busy mum.
You realise that you would do well if you could work to a schedule and manage things much more effectively, but your new arrival is not aware of your need to schedule things, at all! These are crucial formative times for the newborn, who is entirely dependent on mum and all these requirements can sometimes make you feel as if you are working a 9-to-5 shift overnight, as well.
As a devoted mother, you are certainly enjoying your life in your new role, but from time to time you may feel as if you are at the end of your wits, calling on every element of your being to conquer what would otherwise seem to be perfectly mundane tasks. How are you going to get through the new work week which is rapidly approaching?
It can be extraordinarily difficult to maintain a schedule and you may have heard the phrase “time management” many times from well-being people, but it is nevertheless essential that you maintain a routine of some kind as closely as possible.
Unless we have a routine, we will just bounce from one problem to another and build up an increasing level of stress, compounding and affecting other areas as we go. Although you might not like to think that you have to do so, it’s important for you to get into a routine as soon as possible.
When mornings roll around, try to keep it as simple as you possibly can. It can be very difficult to get going in the morning if your night’s rest has been disrupted by the needs of the baby. Nevertheless, there is much to do and if you do these items in the same order each day, it will be easier.
Your top priority must be your exercise regime. This is most important and you should not be tempted to lay for 15 minutes extra in bed. While you’re on the treadmill, the coffee can be brewing and the early morning headlines, traffic and weather ahead of you on the TV. When you are done, it’s time to get the children up and make sure they have their own chores to do to lighten your load.
After a while, you will get this procedure down to a finite science, every single day. This is probably the most stressful time of the day, as you are trying to focus while still trying to wake up! By insisting on a clockwork routine and making sure that all your family are “on board” with this concept and that they help you, you’ll be ready to get out of the door running, on time.
From time to time, you might think that you have nothing available when it comes to keeping up with your “me time” and enjoying your social life, having to concentrate so hard on work and the baby. You will hopefully have a great understanding with a caregiver and understand just how important this person is within your whole picture.
You will hopefully have an understanding boss at work. No matter how understanding the boss is, never take advantage of any situation and only call in favours or use delay allowances whenever necessary, including personal days. The more that you play fair with your boss, the easier it will be to deal with emergencies, should they come along.
Try not to schedule anything that is too demanding, technically for you at work in the morning and at all times, do not overload your schedule unrealistically.
Time management is very important during your 9-to-5 routine at work and you should try not to allow work to spill over into your own personal time.
Use professional coaching to help you focus on key areas. Dedicated coaching for women is praised by many in your situation, who have turned to online life coaching to really help them get past “the wall.”
Amanda Alexander, Director of Coaching Mums, helps pressure-cooked, stressed working mums who long for more hours in the day. Through her coaching programmes and online life coaching courses, Amanda shows mums how to create fulfilling and successful lives. For your simple 5 step guide to balance as a working mum, download our free eBook today!
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