Finding the right babysitter or nanny is very important to any working mother. The feeling of leaving your child with someone whom you do not trust can be devastating. So spend some time and interview as many nannies as possible. If affordable, work with a nanny agency to supply professional nannies. Make sure that the nanny has the following qualities:
a.) Nanny should be qualified and should have had enough experience with children
b.) The nanny should have valid recommendations and references
c.) Should have the ability to react quickly when the situation demands it. Like in-case a child gets injured
d.) Finally the nanny should have a personality that your child responds to
2.) Learn to balance your work and family life
If you do not have the liberty to take up a part-time job, try to work with your employer and your colleagues to bring more flexibility into your current work schedule. Some ideas include:
a.) Try to go in earlier and stay later for four days so your Fridays are short, half days or completely free.
b.) Split the work day by working until school is out, then returning later in the evening after the kids are in bed.
c.) A good alternative to making your full time work into part time is by sharing your position with another person. It may mean a lower salary, but far greater time options.
d.) If your work allows it, try telecommuting one or two days a week. With a high speed Internet connection and access to your company network, you can perform many tasks just as efficiently from home.
By being upfront with your employer, flexible, and creative, it's often possible to get the long dreamed of goal -- more hours in the day for everything you want to do.
3.) Make the most of your time with your child
Try and make the most of the free time you do have with your child to make memories. Try some of the following:
a.) Plan an outing. Take your kid to a favorite location like the zoo or a park with a play area for the kids.
b.) Come up with a home project that gets something off your list, but is also fun for your child. Getting the front flower beds in order is a great excuse to make mud pies at the same time.
c.) Combine errands with going to a movie or visiting the mall. You know your child needs school clothes. They just know they're out with Mom having fun.
And don't forget to take pictures. Digital cameras make it easy to snap instant memories. Put the pictures up on the refrigerator or some place clearly visible. It reinforces the idea that when Mom isn't working, we're doing something fun.
4.) Learn to Accept Help
Many Moms, especially first time Moms, feel they should be able to do it all. The real goal is to achieve the correct balance so you are the best mother and employee that you can be. (And taking care of yourself.) Trying to ?do it all? will only leave you so exhausted that no aspect of your life is well served. There is nothing wrong is asking for help or accepting help that is offered to you.
By balancing your energy for all the different roles in your life, you will do better at keeping up and far less likely to lose patience with your child for no good reason.
5.) Don't Feel Guilty, You're Doing Your Best
Guilt won't help you juggle your life and will, in fact, make the balance you crave more difficult to attain. All anyone can ask of you, including your child, is that you do your best. Often a trade off just isn't possible, especially if you are a single mother. If you don't work, you can't give your child everything he or she needs. It's not an issue of being selfish; you're being practical.
As a working mother you face huge challenges, but don't forget that you also have enormous strengths. Work on these strengths and you will be a great parent to your child.
