To all the full-time working moms, you are rockstars. You wake up every morning and live an entire life before going into the office and working a full-time job. No one knows that you have already been awake for four hours. No one knows that you had a five-minute argument with a 3-year old over why he must wear pants to school. And you continue on and kill it every single day, or at least every other day. You should be proud of yourself and buy yourself a little treat every time you go outside the house.
I have been a full-time working mom for nine years. And when the boys were babies, it really kicked my booty. I was a certified hot mess. So, I started a blog and wrote about it. Totally normal reaction to being overly busy. I received loads of tips from other working moms around the world who must have felt sorry for me, and these are the top four tips I received that worked for me.
1. Don’t feel guilty.
I experienced this hard core after the birth of my first son. I had an eight-week maternity leave and felt so guilty handing my newborn baby off to a babysitter that first day back to work. I sat in my car and sobbed. I made it into the office looking like a wrecked mess, and was greeted by my co-workers, who were adults, that I could have conversations with. I drank a cup of coffee alone in my office and read the newspaper. And I got back into the swing of things. Then I remembered, I love a good challenge. I love solving problems. I love working with other like-minded people. Don’t ever feel guilty for doing something that makes you happy. It makes you a better person.
2. Do something you actually love doing.
We spend so much time at work. Forty hours a week is a lot. Work somewhere and do something that makes you want to go to work or log onto your computer for the day. Or at least doesn’t make you want to puke when you think about it. I used to have nightmares about my job at Dell in Nashville right out of college. Sales was not a good fit for me. Working somewhere you love will set the tone for your attitude and mood outside work hours. When I do what I love, I am an all-around better mom. It only took me 15 years and 11 jobs to figure out what I love to do!
3. Celebrate the small wins.
Do this at work and at home. Did you turn in a big report or finish a project that felt daunting? Give yourself a pat on the back and order an expensive iced coffee. Did you get all the kids out the door in the morning for school without any breakdowns? High fives all around! It’s easier to keep on keeping on if we celebrate the things that might seem mundane at times. It’s also a great reason to go get ice cream or a cheeseburger.
4. Find a group of work friends.
Friends are vital to your mental health. And we spend eight hours a day at work. It’s way better with a friend. Studies show that having work friends increases your job satisfaction by 33%. I have met some of my favorite people through jobs I’ve had over the years in Owensboro. A shout out to the original crew that opened the Owensboro Convention Center and put on a gala for 2,200 people three days later. I will never forget working 80 hours a week with you.
I hope something you read here was helpful. Happy back to school season! I hope your kids are good for their photos.
