Working for a living is tough enough without being hit with working mom guilt.
Maybe you want to spend more time with your kids or maybe you’re concerned about how it looks when you put in fewer hours than the guy in the next cubicle.
Whatever is causing your guilt trip, there is a cure. Try these tips for eliminating useless regrets and enjoying more job satisfaction.
Feeling Guilty about Your Family
Working moms often feel guilty about not spending enough time with their family.
Or they are on the opposite end of the spectrum of spending to much time with family and not enough getting work completed.
Wherever you fall, make sure to set up your values and priorities in order to find your balance with work and family.
Start by implementing these 4 tips.
Stress quality time
You can be a super mom even if you’re too booked up to attend every single soccer practice or bake 500 cupcakes.
Make the hours you spend together count by sharing your love and wisdom with your children.
Not sure how to spend quality time with your kids? Ask them what they would like to do. Then check out this post.
Serve as a role model
Women whose mothers worked outside the home are more likely to be employed and earn higher wages than those whose mothers stayed home full-time, according to a Harvard Business School study of 24 countries.
Studies also show that working mothers tend to be happier, and that’s a positive influence on your children.
If working brings you fulfillment, share that with your kids.
Schedule after-school activities
How can you keep your kids safe and busy until you arrive home from work?
Research after-school programs in your area. If your kids will be home alone, stay in touch by phone and clarify rules about homework and having friends over.
Ask for support
Balancing work and family responsibilities is a team effort. You don’t have to do it alone.
Divide up household chores. If you need to, take turns with other parents for babysitting or driving kids to the movies.
Feeling Guilty about Your Work Hours
Focus on results.
It’s easy to watch the clock and count down the number of hours you have left. This can lead you to feel like there’s not enough time or you didn’t get much done.
Instead, pay attention to productivity rather than how many hours you clock.
Write down and celebrate your achievements. Then tackle your most challenging assignments during the hours when you work most efficiently.
Call in sick
Maybe your company offers sick leave or a lump sum paid time off.
Either way, it’s safer to stay in bed if you’re contagious or have a fever.
If you mentally are overload, take some time to yourself.
Go on vacation
Many workers accumulate unused vacation days, and economists say that tends to lower performance and slow down the economy.
Keep track of your leave and use your time off to refresh and relax. Even if you decide to have a staycation, go on a vacation.
Negotiate less overtime
Win your boss over by talking about how to reduce overtime costs. Your boss cares about the bottom line and would love to hear how to improve it.
Investments in technology and training may help your company save money while shortening your work week.
Reduce travel
Similarly, many businesses have trimmed their travel expenses in recent years.
Can you replace some trips with video conferences or hold your meetings at a local venue?
Look into utilizing Zoom for video conferences and webinars.
Other Sources of Working Mom Guilt
Set boundaries
Smartphones and the Internet make us potentially available 24-7.
Decide what limits you need, whether it’s weekends free or no calls after 7 pm.
Stay at home
Working from home is still working. After all, you’re saving on commuting time and may experience fewer interruptions
Resist comparisons
Are you happy working part-time or following an unconventional career path?
Create your own definition of success instead of worrying about how you stack up against the rest of your graduating class.
Dispel stigmas
On the other hand, maybe others tease you about selling used cars or delivering newspapers when you’re old enough to collect Social Security.
Learn to base your self-worth on something more profound than your paycheck.
Leverage your strengths and search for meaning in any task you undertake.
Develop outside interests
It’s easier to keep work in perspective when you’re well-rounded. Interact with others from a wide variety of backgrounds.
Devote your leisure time to learning and helping others.
Dump your working mom guilt so you can savor your time at home without feeling like you’re neglecting your work, and vice versa.
Clarifying your priorities and managing your time effectively will help you to be guilt-free around the clock.