Embracing Simplicity Can Help You Return To Work After Kids

Being a mom is hard. In between the massive to-do lists, the pile of laundry, the sink full of dishes, and the dozens of legos jammed in the toilet, being a mom is one of the hardest job in the world. 

What’s harder? 

Preparing to return to work after kids.

Mom guilt over leaving our kids, or the feeling of expiration is strong for moms who are in this transition phase. The very best thing you can do to prepare and make it out of the transition a stronger mom is to embrace simplicity.

Simplicity means being aware of the things that are excess in your life and work on eliminating them. Things in excess tend to be extra toys, outgrown clothes, unused electronics, and busting at the seams schedules. Basically trying to have or do too much makes things complicated and brings stress.

Get rid of things that don’t serve an explicit purpose to your life! The result? You’ll be happier, more satisfied, and ready to return to work after kids.

Embracing simplicity first starts with your mindset. Here are a few ways you can focus on simplicity to prepare to return to work after kids. 

Think long term gains, not short term convenience. It’s easy to fall into the pattern of reacting, instead of planning for the long term. In fact, our brains are wired to prioritize short term gratification over the long term. Don’t get bogged down with buying a bunch of stuff or playing the comparison game with other moms. In the big scheme of things, none of that matters for long. 

Clear Communication

Don’t play games with communication. Be direct, straightforward, and professional with employers about your situation. Communicate your desires and needs with your family members. If everyone is on the same page and understands the path you are on and where you want to go, you’ve set yourself up for success.

Establish Routine

Going back to work doesn’t mean you have to abandon family dinners or game nights. Keep the habits that help your family stay close. Stick to bedtimes, family time, and fun activities. The routine will make the transition easier on everyone.

Be Present

Be home when you’re home and leave work at work. While it’s easier said than done, make an extra effort to tie up loose ends before leaving the office. Decompress with an audiobook on your drive home or a phone call to a loved one. Do what works best for you to separate your time at work from your time at home. Embrace simplicity by establishing a clear boundary and being present at both places. I love to plan special 1:1 time with my kids throughout the year and the summer is a great time to start this tradition. Just 10 minutes a day with each kid can go a long way.

Are you preparing to return to work after kids? It can be both exciting and challenging. At Parents Pivot, we help moms advance in a career they're passionate by establishing what’s most important to you, post-kids. If you’re interested in learning more, please reach out. We’d love to hear from you.

5 Tips For Balancing Work & Your Family's Busy Summer Schedule

Summer will be here before we know it. That means warm weather, kids out of school, and activities galore. This time of year can be especially challenging for working moms with the family routine and schedules changing for a few months. But don’t sweat it! Here are five tips to keep you cool and balanced this summer and beyond. 

1. Create a Shared Family Calendar

Understand the demands, deadlines and working hours of your job, then write them on a shared family calendar. Then have the rest of your family do the same, children included! The smaller ones may need help, but getting everyone to see how the family works together will make your job much easier. 

A large monthly paper calendar works great when it’s hung in a family room. Or sharing an online Google calendar is a great option for tech-savvy families. It really doesn’t matter the method, the point is to communicate with each other about each day’s schedule. Find what works best for your family and use that. 

Pro tip: If you’re using a paper calendar, give each family member a different pen color so you can quickly glance and see who has what commitment. 

Combining calendars helps family members understand your responsibilities inside of work so you can set the expectation at home. Get the entire family into the habit of writing down their responsibilities, it will help create a balance for the entire family.

2. Practice Time Management

With kids out of school, you’ll need to be especially aware of where and how you spend your time at both work and home. Spending too much time in your inbox? Consider time-blocking. Taking on too many tasks? Delegate. The more efficient you are at work, the less stress you’ll bring home. From the Pomodoro Method to Steven Covey’s Time Management Matrix, use resources to manage your career life without sacrificing your personal life.

At home, practice time management by preparing your family’s meals ahead of time, assign each family member a daily chore, or if possible, book a regular house cleaner.

3. Take Time For Yourself 

Take time for you! It’s crucial to maintain your health and wellness while you maintain your busy schedule and long list of responsibilities. Make time to do whatever makes you happy and feeling recharged. Some popular ideas:

• Get a massage or a manicure. 

• Indulge in extra sleep or alone time with a great book. 

• Take a relaxing yoga class or stretch before bed.

Again, it doesn’t really matter what you do. As long as it makes you feel your best. 

4. Plan a Family Vacation

Adding a family vacation to the calendar can be just what you need to push through stressful times. When it gets tough at work or home, remind yourself of the vacation getaway coming up. 

5. Cherish the Moments

Multi-tasking is not always the answer to balance your time. When you’re with your family, be present. The spontaneous dance party in the kitchen after baking cookies are the memories you and your family will remember throughout your lives. Make the most of your time together and cherish every moment. 

Remember, everyone’s path is different. If you struggle to balance your work and personal time, a career coach can help. At Parents Pivot, we help moms discover a career they're passionate about while not sacrificing family. If you need more guidance on balancing your work life and home life, we’d love to hear from you.