UPSC CSE Mains GS 3 Economics Past Paper Questions 2013-2020 Topic-Wise

How can working moms balance personal and work life?

Being a working mom is like chasing two rabbits at the same time and letting none escape. It requires great flair to maintain poise between personal and work life. A combination of focused multitasking, smart prioritizing and clever moves can win the game for you.

Here are some tips that will help working moms to strike a balance between work life and personal life.

1.   Ditch the guilt

Being a working mom, it is very likely that you may feel like you are falling short for your kids. But remember that nothing good is going to happen unless you let yourself free of this guilt feeling.

There can be many reasons - money, satisfaction etc. - for which you opt do work after having children. Make a list of your priorities and let yourself know what comes where. Think of the benefits that you bring home from your work. This can be anything like savings, children’s education, reduced financial burden on your spouse etc. once you are over the guilt you can find fun in what you do.

2.    Organise things

Maintain a well organised routine for all the important things related to child care, family management and job.

Ø Make a to-do-list list, identify the priority and execute things on right time.

Ø Plan everything on the previous night.

Ø Settle all passible works at night to make morning easier.

Ø Fix a routine for the basic thing like your children’s wake up time, what to cook on each day of a week, when to do the exercise, when to leave for office, home-work time for children bed time for everyone in the family etc.

3.   Maintain a family calendar

Certain things are to be done on time - payment of bills, deadline for a project submission, a parent-teacher meeting or the birthday of a close friend, colleague or family member. Keep a family calendar and check it regularly.

4.   Let special days top your priority list

Try to remember special days of special ones, be it your husband, kids, parents, in-laws, friends, colleagues or boss. This is inevitable to run a smooth professional and personal life because people like to be cared and they will care back or might even offer a helping hand in your busy life. Imagine your typical Indian saas settling all your household work, when you reach home in the evening, just because you gave her a birthday party the day before.

5.   Things to remember for your children

Ø If necessary, distract your kids while leaving for office

Ø Rely on breast milk storing bags.

Ø Make a video call, or record a lullaby, for your child when you are at work

Ø Find a suitable daycare or babysitter

Ø Listen to your children, identify their problems, monitor their home works and check their bags

Ø Teach them to set and accomplish goals

Ø Enable them to look after themselves

Ø Appreciate for achievements and teach them to deal with failures and mistakes. Moral stories can be of help.

Ø Give more attention to teenagers. Be focused on their mood swings and emotions. It is a very volatile age.

6.   Make clever excuses

Be clever on choosing between work and personal needs. If you are not sanctioned leave on a friend’s wedding, visit the newlyweds on the next off-day with an apology and wonderful gifts. Find which is easy - asking a day off or convincing family to postpone a holiday.

7.   Do not compromise with family-time

Have exclusive family time at least once a week. If possible, ensure that the entire family has dinner together. This keeps the bond tight. Have chat time. Always share your stories with family. Let them understand and soothe the pain you bear as a working mom.

8.   Don’t focus too much on cleaning up

                                          

Accept that a home with little kid is excused to be a mess. Do not strain yourself in cleaning up all the time. It is enough to have a large box in to which you can stack all the toys in one go.

9.   Be kind to yourself

Take good care of yourself. Everything about you is important – your health, your happiness, your saloon visits, your favorite TV show and what not.

Accept the fact that there is no single magical formula. There are tips that all can follow. Try to add personal touch to everything. The real magic is in the superwoman you are.