Little Bit of Green

Have you ever wondered how you keep going, working on pure adrenaline to survive, yet still function well at work and cope with all the other requirements of being a busy mum?

You know that if you could only work to a schedule, things would be more manageable, but the little one at home knows nothing of schedules! During these crucial formative years, the baby is entirely dependent on your response and it sometimes feels as if you are working a 9-to-5 shift in reverse at night, as you answer to your newborn baby’s requirements.

You are loving your new life as a devoted mother, but often feel as if you are at your wits’ end as you struggle to find that extra bit of energy to conquer seemingly mundane tasks. Isn’t in awful, when you can see the new work week approaching and not know how you’re going to cope?

While we have already determined that it is difficult to maintain a schedule and if someone mentions the phrase “time management” to you once more, you are going to scream, but it is nevertheless important for you to establish as close to a routine as you possibly can.

Without routines we find ourselves bouncing from pillar to post and it all leads up to an elevated level of stress, which negatively impacts every other area. 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. Don’t be tempted to take an extra 15 minutes in bed. Position your treadmill so that you can view the headlines, traffic problems and the weather on the TV ahead of you, even as the coffee is brewing in the kitchen. At the appropriate time, get the children out of bed and ensure that they do their own chores as well, to help you out.

You will need to get this down to a fine art, or even a science, every 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.

Even though you may think you have no time for anything other than work and looking after the baby, you have to keep in touch with your social life and with “me” time as well. Take time to foster a good relationship with a caregiver and understand how important this person can be to you.

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.

At work, try not to schedule anything too technically demanding for first thing in the day and make sure you do not overload your schedule with unrealistic expectations.

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.

In most cases, professional coaching can focus your attention on key areas of your life. 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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