TIME-MANAGEMENT FOR WORK-AT-HOME MOMS

Are you a working mother? Your stress is understandable- being a work-at-home mom has never been easy. All the family pressure, childcare dilemmas, and management issues are bound to take their toll sooner or later. But you needn’t feel tempted to quit your home-based work and sign up for psychotherapy, when it all seems too much. If you’re a work-at-home mom, frustration is not an option, it will show in you, therefore your husband and children will bear the brunt of it. Instead, you need to manage your time better, and make good use of parenting resources. We give you some suggestions.

Try to delegate responsibilities in the family. Work-at-home jobs are stressful and time-consuming, so you need extra hands to help you with house work. Organize clean-ups before bedtime every night, where every family member helps to put things back in their right place. Remember: “A place for everything and everything in its place” Girls’ clothing in the right cupboard and boys’ clothing in the separate cupboard. Older kids can help fold their laundry, make their beds – this not only helps to save precious time, but also will give your children a sense of independence. Even toddlers can help by picking up their toys. When everything’s done – don’t forget to praise your children. Also, you can ask your husband to help you with setting the table and clearing it. Men are adept at such simple work- and once you show him which plates and glasses and cutlery to use, he is sure to get the hang of it. Don’t criticize or be negative. Avoid the comments like “Oh no! Not like that!” or “You did it wrong again!” Remember to admire him for his efforts and willingness to help.

Mornings are always a difficult time, especially for those work-at-home moms, because they know that once the children are sent off to school and the husband to work – they must sit down with their own business. So make mornings less hectic and rushed by planning ahead- ensure your kids’ school-bags are packed and their clothes ironed the night before. Have a planned menu for breakfast – much valuable time is wasted deciding what to cook. Make a mental note: “Pancakes on Monday, Sandwiches on Tuesday, Waffles on Wednesday, etc…” Make sure all the ingredients are ready. Simplify meal preparations- keep the elaborate menus for the weekends, when you have the time. For the weekdays, when you are tired from work, and need to make dinner, use simple recipes that require little time, and few ingredients. Don’t compromise on nutrition, though, and avoid convenience foods, as these are unhealthy in the long run.

Use time-saving devices like washing machines, microwaves, and vacuum cleaners. They are here to make our life easier. Sometimes, you can ask your children to help out with loading the dishwasher, or wiping the plates dry, or even putting the washing out in the sun. With a little creativity and a good routine, you can go a long way!

March 30, 2009 | Filed Under WAHM Resources 

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