Being a busy business woman and loving mother to my two young daughters, Anna and Esther, isn’t always easy. It requires me to juggle both roles with equal enthusiasm and commitment.
Over time I’ve learnt a few lessons on how to get this balance right, so I thought I’d share some of these tips with you, to help you juggle the difficult work/life balance with aplomb.
1. Prioritise
Trying to prioritise between work and home can be a challenging task, especially with young children in your family. Sometimes you just have to accept something isn’t going to get done, and you might have to deal with the house being a mess. Focus on what’s most important at that particular time, and get that done!
I have just returned to work after having Esther last month, and I’m currently spending 8-12 hours per week in the office. I spend the first 15 minutes in the office reviewing what’s most important for the time that I’m there, and I focus on that.
2. Share the load
It’s extremely important, if you want to have a career and a family, that you have a supportive partner who’s willing to share responsibilities. Someone who’s happy to get up in the middle of the night to change nappies or settle the baby, or get other children dressed and ready for the day while you get yourself ready.
Having your own business makes this easier, especially since my partner works at Adore Beauty as well. This allows us to tag-team and split our days between home and the office, ensuring that we’re both spending quality time with the girls, and still getting our work done.
3. Accept help
Don’t be afraid to accept the offer of help, especially when a new baby comes along and everyone is offering a helping hand. If someone asks if they can do something for you, rather than saying, “No, it’s okay thanks”, say “Why yes – could you hang out this laundry/empty the dishwasher/hold the baby for 10 minutes while I have a shower?”
Make the most of grandparents if they’re close by; and don’t be afraid to get extra help, like nannies or cleaners, if you can afford to. (Tip: if you know someone who’s just had a baby, don’t give flowers, give an Airtasker voucher!)
4. Don’t be pressured by expectations
Do what’s best for you and your family. Try not to feel pressured by anyone else’s standards or expectations – just set your priorities and do what works for you. Forget about being a Pinterest-perfect mum, I for one am convinced there is no such thing!
