Working Moms’ Coping MechanismsThe most devastating truth that came with Westernised lifestyles is that the cost of living is too high. Both parents have to work in most cases whilst the kids are at the very expensive schools. A number of women are working moms, which is not a bad idea if they like it. If they don’t they must click here for alternatives.Being a working mom means one has to wake up at a crack of dawn to prepare kids for school and herself for work. Then be exhausted the whole day only to get home to another exhausting routine until your head hits the pillow close to another crack of dawn. It may sound like a working mom is doing harm to her health which doesn’t have to be the case. A working mom needs to be extremely organized to prevent losing her mind. It is very possible to be a happy wife, mom and employee, (in that order of importance) and lead a fulfilled life. But every working mom needs to maintain order at home and at work. The following are the points that can take working moms from hopeless to organised in a week. (originally published in the Oxygen magazine):
The secret to being busy and effective is to tackle as many tasks as you can – immediately as they appear on your radar. Putting it off will only mean you forget about it or delay further and, in the end, the thing won’t get done at all.
Children of all ages can pull their weight around the house, whether its picking up their own clothes, helping out with younger siblings, feeding pets or simply co-operating the first time you ask them to do something. It’s healthy and rewarding for children to have responsibilities, so work out a roaster of who does what and explain to your children that you really need their help. There’s nothing more stressful than coming home to cook dinner, only to discover you have to go out into the traffic again because the cupboards are bare. Cut down your shopping and traveling time by buying a store of the items you frequently use. Plan the night before what you are going to eat the following evening, and take it out the freezer when you make coffee the next morning. Meat left in the fridge will be defrosted by the time you come home – and you wont have to try and decide what to cook.
The bathroom is one place you can demand your privacy so use the opportunity to relax and unwind. Arrange with your husband and children to be undisturbed while you are bathing. Buy bubbles, bath salts and a huge fluffy towel so you get maximum enjoyment, pampering and relaxation out of this time, even if it’s only for ten minutes.
When you are rushing kids to school, or trying to get to work on time, there are few things more frustrating than discovering you don’t have fuel in the car. Avoid this frustration by filing up your tank when you go to the petrol station and not letting it go below quarter full.
Put it up in your kitchen/ study/ TV room and use it to write down things you remember and are likely to forget. Use the red marker so the reminder leaps out at you when you walk in the door.
When we are feeling overwhelmed we often put off doing something because it seems too difficult. But if you force yourself to make a start, you’ll usually find it’s easier than you anticipated.
Register for internet banking and pay all your bills online. Not having to find time to pay them in person will mean more likely to pay them on time so you wont get charged interest.
Exercise is one of the best known stress relievers. If you can’t find the time to get to the gym, invest in an exercise bike for home or take a walk to the shops when you need bread and milk.
They‘re fantastic! Throw in all the ingredients the night before, switch it on low when you leave for work and you’ll come back to a ready made dinner.
Fighting with the traffic raises your blood pressure and stresses you out. But studies show that listening to classical music can have an enormously calming effect on the nerves. Buy some classical CDs or listen to classical radio stations. It will help make your car a haven instead of living hell.
Trying to decide at the last minute what to give your children for school lunch invariably means you end doing the same quick-fix – and not necessarily healthy – snacks, or worse tuck-shop money. Keep stocked up on the spreads, fillings and lunchbox goodies your kids like and that are easylike and that are easy and healthy to throw together.
Having to run around looking for your keys when you are already late is enough to ruin your day entirely. Train yourself to put your car and house keys in the same place so you can find them easily.
Getting enough sleep is one of the single best coping tools you can give yourself, so make a good night’s rest a priority.
Although it’s not always accurate, knowing what the weather is supposed to be doing the following day will preclude the need to decide what to wear in the morning rush.
Having something beautiful to look at in your office – be it a painting or a vase of flowers – will give you a different perspective, even if its only for a moment.
Whether its traditional religion, alternative belief systems or simply walking in the garden, find the time at least once in your day to feed your soul. It will give deeper meaning to your day.
A simple old alphabetical filing box will help you to find important documents quickly, reducing stress and saving time.
Approaching life with a “can do” attitude is half the battle won to actually being able to do.
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