5 Ways Busy Moms Can Balance Home and Work Life

Balance is not about doing everything equally-it’s about doing the “right” things at the right time. And as a working mom, that means prioritizing both your work life and your home life. 

1. Ask for help! Whether it’s from family or friends, get some assistance with chores, childcare, and other tasks that aren’t your strong suit. You have a lot of responsibilities and things that will require your attention such as wondering,
   

   Is it worth repairing a 10 year old refrigerator? or When is the next soccer practice?

1. Make a schedule 

Juggling the daily tasks of your home and work life can feel overwhelming at times. To help ease the burden, create a schedule and stick to it. This will allow you to stay on top of chores, errands, and kid activities as well as keep track of your own professional obligations. 

Use a family calendar and a planner for yourself to track your time and prioritize tasks. This can reduce the stress of forgetting appointments or missing deadlines and will also help you to make more time for yourself! Save long lunch breaks or idle chats with co-workers for special occasions, so you can focus on the important stuff. Then you’ll be free to spend quality time with your children! 

2. Schedule appointments 

Any mom knows that it’s nearly impossible to run a household and stay on top of appointments and responsibilities without some kind of schedule. But sometimes it’s easy for plans to be missed or shortened because of kids’ sports practice, music lessons, school activities or other commitments. And that’s okay. Instead of trying to cram your schedule with a false sense of perfection, focus on managing and maintaining simple systems and creating a clear definition of priorities. 

For example, if you have one day each week that is designated for work from home, make sure not to plan any other appointments or activities on that day so that you can stay focused. You can also set aside blocks of time during the week to do tasks that require advance planning, such as meal prep or errands. 

3. Schedule time for yourself 

It can be easy to think that you have to do everything yourself – especially as a mom. However, just like a car can’t run without gas, your body can’t function properly without self-care and time for yourself. 

Whether it’s a short meditation session or taking the kids out for a milkshake and movie, schedule time for yourself. This can be as simple as putting it on your calendar or as complex as asking family members or hiring a cleaning service to come in on a regular basis. 

Another great way to do this is by identifying your time wasters and figuring out ways to eliminate them from your day. Remember that progress, not perfection, is

key. Trying to be a perfect working mom will drive you crazy! 

4. Schedule family time 

When you let your schedule revolve around everyone else’s, you end up feeling stretched and burnt out. Learn how to set boundaries with your work so you can focus on family when it’s time for family. 

Keep a master calendar that lists out your family’s recurring activities and events. Then, use a family scheduling tool like WeekPlan or Cozi to get on top of your schedule so you never miss an important meeting or kid’s soccer game. 

Plan meals on Sundays and do some food prep for the week to save time during the week and reduce stress. Delegating chores to each family member is another great way to save time and boost the kids’ sense of responsibility. Make a list of “nonnegotiables,” “should-dos” and “would-like to-dos” to help you prioritize tasks. 

5. Schedule a date night 

Dating is important for parents because it gives them time to talk about important issues and to reconnect without the stresses of household chores or family responsibilities. It also helps to rekindle romance and commitment. 

Date nights don’t have to be elaborate and expensive. For example, if you can’t afford dinner out, try cooking together or finding a new cafe for coffee and dessert. 

You can even try a fun at-home date like a board game night or a romantic movie with popcorn. The point is to make time for each other and to show that your relationship is a priority. If you can’t afford a babysitter, consider swapping dates with another couple in your community to cut costs.