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MOST PARENTS HAVE AT LEAST TWO IMPORTANT JOBS - being a parent and earning a living. Sometimes you get a good rhythm that works for you and your family, but everyone struggles sometimes to make it work. What if you work two jobs or a night shift that prevents you from being home when your child is out of school or home from daycare? What if your child has activities or appointments when you’re supposed to be working? What if your work is so demanding that it constantly spills into your family time? Others may be facing a chronic illness or dealing with an aging parent that demands more time than their employer is willing to give. How can you juggle these challenging responsibilities and demands without feeling stressed or guilty? Every mother is a working mother. But for moms who work outside the home, juggling family and a career can bring special challenges.
There are other women who seem to have figured out how to “juggle” these complex needs with some grace and humor. They are able to enjoy their growing children, participate in their activities and schools, and still find time for their marriages and other relationships, their own needs as individuals, and feel competent on the job. While some “superwomen” seem to be ignoring one of these areas at the cost of others, a few remarkable people appear to be doing everything very well. What makes those women who seem more able to handle these multiple roles so successful?
How moms can make work, “work.”
•Think through the values and priorities that guide your choices. Establish a strong support system. Accept help from a partner, family members, and trusted friends. Seek out other working mothers who can offer additional tips and tricks. (Find people you can trust and depend on.)
•Get everyone in your family to pitch in with household chores so one working parent isn’t juggling all the responsibilities at work and at home. If you have a partner, divide up parenting responsibilities so both parents can be actively involved in your child’s life.
•Coordinate and negotiate family activities and schedules.
•Set aside regular time (even if it’s a little) for your child, spouse, extended family, and your friends. Each of these relationships can be a source of energy and support for you as you seek to balance family and work. (Don’t forget to set time aside for yourself as well!)
The Stress of Juggling Work & Family
is published in Women in Journey: From Tragedy to Triumph.
No part of this article may be copied or reproduced without permission from the
publisher. Copyright © 2007 by InSpire, an imprint of DemmeHouse, Inc.
•Talk with your supervisor about creative strategies to help you maintain balance between work and family that will not undermine your job responsibilities (such as working from home.)
•A flexible work situation is ideal. Women who can easily and with few negative repercussions take a day off with a sick child, or an evening for a school concert, have a valuable stress-reducing aid. You can always consider making arrangements to switch shifts with a co-worker for special events.
•Stop the spillover of work into home.
•Make technology work for you.
•Don’t be afraid to say “no.”
For some women, a strong faith community gives them necessary support and resources. They use their spiritual lives and participation in the life of their churches as sources of power and inspiration.
So what are some signs that your coping strategies may need some improvements? For some working mothers, their children are the “early warning signs.” When children become more clingy, more oppositional, or show less interest in their favorite activities, one possibility to explore is they might be feeling a need for more of you. Some moms may suddenly feel overwhelmed with basic tasks. Others may experience a chronic headache or other physical symptoms that don’t seem to have an explanation. Sudden weight loss, weight gain, or changes in your sleep patterns can also be indicators.
Learning to read your reactions to stress, your danger signs, and the steps that will bring you back to successful coping are important life tasks.
Resources: www.councilforrelationships.org / www.mvparents.com
Legal Disclaimer: This tool is for general information purposes only and does not address individual circumstances and should not be relied upon in making decisions about your health. Always consult your doctor for medical attention or advice.
Writer's Bio:
Tonja M. Leake, RN, BSN, has 15 years
of nursing experience. Mrs. Leake has experience in ICU, Obstetrics, and now works as a Clinical Instructor. She is a
wife and mother of one daughter.
The Stress of Juggling
Work & Family
by Tonja M. Leake, RN, BSN
Life Stories for Every Woman
