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working moms

Work-at-home mom guilt
CareerLifestyle

How To Battle The Guilt Of Being A Work-At-Home Mom

by Amanda Foust
written by Amanda Foust

I say it all the time that I love working from home! But something many work at home moms (WAHM) feel but don’t talk about is excessive guilt. We have a wide-range of responsibilities that we have to handle all at once. Taking care of the children, managing the home, and completing work has to happen all at once. There are no boundary lines that separate our duties — no 9-5 work day that comes to an end. All of our work is done in the fringe hours of our day with kids in our laps and dried food in our hair.

We wake up early to fit work in before our children are begging us for breakfast — they are ALWAYS starving. Then we are interrupted all throughout the day with every little need (or want). It would be unrealistic to send children into the workforce with their parents and think they can get anything done, but yet we expect ourselves to be experts.

Since we aren’t able to show up to give 100% to our family and to our work, how should we battle the guilt we so easily feel?

1. Remind yourself that you are doing your best!

You are no superhero. You cannot be perfect. But you CAN do your best! If your kids are loved and your work gets done in the end, you are doing well. Celebrate that. No one has 200% to offer each day. Do what you can!

2. Separate your work and time being a mom as much as you can.

This sometimes feels impossible, but do your best to set designated times. In the morning before breakfast and after nap time I give my kids complete attention and put the laptop aside. I do the same at bedtime. Eye-contact and direct attention for a few short spurts is better than being half present throughout the entire day.

3. See yourself the way your kids see you.

I guarantee your kids aren’t as hard on you as you are on yourself! In fact, your kids think you are pretty awesome! They see you juggling and balancing like a madwoman. They see the hardworking and nurturing mama wrapped all in one! You have decided to tackle the hard just to be with them, and they feel important! They don’t expect perfection; they just want love!

4. Rest

I believe “rest” is what I feel most guilty about. There is so much to do, so how dare I even think about resting! But this just isn’t true. Guilt is an ugly thing and the cycle of guilt and unrest just makes me show up for my kids and work in the worst ways. To help me get out from under the guilt, I have to make rest a priority — and so should you!

WAHM’s, tell us in the comments how you handle the guilt that comes from working at home!

 

Work-at-home mom guilt

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work-from-home moms
Inspirational

The 8 Best Tips For Work-From-Home Moms

by Amanda Foust
written by Amanda Foust

Work-from-home moms have a different reality than most. And though we are grateful we can be home with our kids and contribute financially, we are currently a small percentage. There isn’t very much advice out there to help us succeed at both motherhood and work.

work-from-home moms

Life As Mama is all about women who straddle the line of stay-at-home moms and working moms because they don’t get enough credit. There’s no “wrong” direction between staying at home or working. We just want work-from-home moms to know they matter too and to be open to some of our best tips!

1. Work your hardest at the beginning of the week so you can ease off at the end.

Mondays are hard, but work-from-home moms are way better off when they start their week off right by getting organized on Sunday night and working hard come Monday morning. Think about it this way: the more productive you are at the beginning of the week, the more relaxed you can feel at the end! Don’t let the procrastinator take over and leave you stressed at the end of the week! You will then find yourself feeling frustrated and impatient with your children because of your own lack of early preparation and hard work.

2. Maintain a planner.

What I have found that works for me is to plan my work week and projects on Trello. Trello is an online forum to organize projects and systems for both you and a team. I don’t know how I lived without it for so long!

For my personal life, I use a hardcover planner. It helps to keep my work and home life separate as so many other lines are blurred when it comes to these parts of my life. If I were to open up my planning tools and see all my work and home responsibilities in one place, I would quickly become overwhelmed. But maybe that works best for some! Find what works best for YOU and be consistent.

3. Make time for your marriage.

Unfortunately, I have found that my marriage is the first thing in my life to get neglected since I began working from home. It’s not because I don’t care, it’s only because my kids need me in ways that are more obvious and pressing. My husband patiently waits on the sidelines, and that is not where he is meant to be. I am working on making my marriage more of a priority. Putting the phone down, unplugging from work, and laying the kids down to sleep early are just a few ways to make room for your marriage. Another idea is to keep one night a week “safe” from any plans! This will be your date night! Sometimes you will be able to get away, but even if you just have an in-home date night, make it fun and intentional!

4. Turn off electronics.

This isn’t just for your marriage; this is for YOU as well. You need to cut yourself off from work just like others do when they walk out of the office. There will always be more to do, emails to answer, and projects to plan, so pick a time during the day and stop your work by turning off the electronics whenever you can.

5. Organize

Organization comes naturally to me in some ways and very unnaturally to me in others. For example, my house is organized and clean, but when it comes to planning a routine, I struggle. Since I began working from home, I’ve found that the more I can organize, the better. When the kids have a routine, they thrive! I am the same way! Organize your days by having one day of the week scheduled for appointments, another for errands, and several for staying at home. Try your best not to intermix the days. The less you can jump from one thing to another, the better! Our brains were made to focus and not spend our days constantly multitasking.

6. Meal plan

Cooking is a struggle for me — especially since I began working from home. I think it’s because I am in charge of breakfast, lunch, dinner, and all the snacks in between for all of us, and by the time dinner rolls around, I’m tired of all the food prep! Some things that help my family are crockpot meals and freezer meals! My husband helps a lot in this area too. If you have older children, get them involved! And if cooking is something you enjoy, schedule time during your week for meal planning and prep!

7. Do a few chores EVERY DAY!

I often become envious of working moms for the fact that they can leave their homes clean in the mornings and come back to them clean after working all day! For me, I get behind very quickly if I don’t do laundry one day or get too focused on work while the kids tear up the other rooms in the house. I MUST maintain my home by doing daily chores so that the weekend isn’t always a time for catching up!

8. If all else fails…hire help!

It’s not bad to admit that you need help! For example, the summer months my daughter isn’t in preschool, so nap time for my son (that usually lands the same time as preschool) isn’t available for work. Therefore, one day a week I had to hire a sitter so that I don’t get behind. Maybe it’s a housecleaner you need or someone to mow your lawn. Whatever help you can afford and take off your plate, do it! And don’t feel guilty!

Work-from-home mamas, give us YOUR best tips in the comments!

work-from-home moms

Amanda Foust

Amanda Foust

Amanda is a wife, mother, writer/editor, and certified life coach. Pen and paper make her spirit come alive. She spends her creative time reading, decorating, and handwriting fonts. Her world is better with an assortment of chocolate and a stack of books packed and ready for travel. She works each day to be a creative maker and a light bringer. You can find more of her writing at Downs, Ups & Teacups and TheDailyPositive.com.
Amanda Foust

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CareerFamily

The Realities Of A Work-From-Home Mom

by Amanda Foust
written by Amanda Foust

We hear about the stay-at-home moms and the working moms, but it’s rare we get a glimpse into the realities of a work-from-home mom.

I get asked on a weekly basis how I manage to be a mom and work from home. Through these conversations, I have come to the conclusion that most think two things:

  1. Either I’m some kind of a super mom and have it all together with perfectly well-behaved kids who allow me to quietly work in my office or
  2. These people think my kids are totally neglected — I sit with my nose in a computer and toss a couple cheerios on the floor next to a bowl of water.

I’m pleased to tell you that neither is true.

Here’s the reality:

Work from home mamas are often typing with one hand and wiping noses or problem solving with the other.

They bounce their children on their laps as they work (like I’m doing as I type this).

Remembering to eat is hard because mealtime is about the only consistent time to get work done uninterrupted.

In some ways, working from home is the best of both worlds and the worst of both worlds at the same time. The best is you get to watch your children grow and have flexibility. The worst is that you are literally NEVER off the clock and your attention is rarely 100% on either motherhood or work — it’s split 50-50.

Work-from-home moms are constantly in a place of guilt due to what I just said above. We aren’t able to be fully present 100 percent of the day and feel as if we come up short because we have this crazy hard balance to manage and rarely are we able to do it perfectly.

Here is a little glimpse of what my life looks like working from home…

But here’s the good parts:

We get to rock our babies when they need us.

We can attend the school parties.

We are able to financially contribute and save money on childcare.

Husbands learn to pull their weight because they don’t have a choice. We can’t do it all!

And the list goes on.

You see, stay-at-home moms, work-from-home moms, and working moms all have parts they love and ones they wish they could change. We are all doing our best with whatever situation we choose!

Tell us about your favorite part of being a work-from-home mom!

work-from-home mom

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Career

5 Ways To Avoid Serious Burnout When You Work From Home

by Jordyn Smith
written by Jordyn Smith

Having the option to work from home is definitely a privilege. But, it is also one that comes with a lot of added responsibilities. While being able to make your own hours, choose what work you take on, and essentially being your own boss is great. You also have to make sure that you’re constantly holding yourself accountable to a high standard.

Having worked full-time in a more traditional office setting and as a full-time home office worker, I can safely say that one of the biggest complications that come from working at home is the inevitable burnout. While many people fear that working from home will diminish their productivity, what usually happens is often the exact opposite. Too much work, too little off-time, and an impossible amount of stress can leave you mentally exhausted and completely burnt out on work. In an effort to curb this, I have compiled a list of six steps that I take to avoid burnout when working from home.

work space burnout

1. Set Actual Work Hours

Typically, when you’re working in an office you have relatively strict starting and ending times. While there may be times that you have to take your home with you, you can typically expect for your workday to end when you go home for the day. When you work from home, these lines are not so carefully drawn. It can be easy to work sun up to sun down, desperate to get as much done as possible. This is bad for both your mental health and your productivity.

Make a schedule. Even if it has to be adjusted from time to time due to other obligations, your personal work hours should be set. Doing this will ensure that you aren’t spending all of your free time working.

burnout work break

2. Take Plenty Of Breaks

Foregoing your breaks may seem like a good way to get a lot of work done, but it can actually have the opposite effect. Even taking short, 5-10 minute breaks every hour you work can yield a serious boost of productivity. It is important to give your brain a rest and your body a break as often as you can while you work.

burnout work plan

3. Have A Plan For Your Work Week

Feeling overwhelmed is a large part of burnout. While plentiful work means good things for your bank account, it can also mean that your mental health is about to take a decline. A great way to combat this is by making a plan. At the beginning of each week, have a clear understanding of what needs to be done. Schedule out your activities according to your preferences and stick to that plan as much as possible. Knowing exactly what needs to be done and when it needs to be finished will keep a bit of the stress at bay. Switching up your plan every other week or so to change the order of your priorities will keep things exciting. We’ve got some great ways to stay organized as a work from home mom in this article.

work burnout

4. Reward Yourself

Everyone needs to treat themselves every once in a while. Being in a constant state of working without receiving any rewards for the fruits of your labor isn’t good for anyone. Rewarding yourself can be as simple as spending a Monday that you’d normally spend working relaxing on the couch or as big as planning a large family vacation at the end of the year. Even if it’s a special expensive coffee or a couple movie tickets, you have the right to treat yourself when you need it.

work burnout

5. Create A Support System

Never underestimate the importance of having someone to vent to. It doesn’t matter how much you love what you do, at times, there will be things that stress you out, annoy you, and mentally exhaust you. Whether those things are dealing with difficult clients or enduring crippling technical difficulties.

Creating a support system full of people that understand what you’re going through is always important. With them, you will be able to rant, rave, vent, and overall let all of your not-so-pretty feelings out. Having supportive friends or fellow work from home buddies does wonders for keeping burnout at bay.

 

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Stay Focused When You Work From Home
CareerTips & Ideas

6 Ways To Stay Focused When You Work From Home

by Jordyn Smith
written by Jordyn Smith

Anyone that works primarily from home knows how hard it can be to stay focused. This is especially true when you are a parent and you have to worry about a thousand things at once. While there are tons of advantages that come with not having to go into an office every day, there are also plenty of drawbacks. An undefined work schedule and the tendency to be easily distracted only being a couple of them.

Sometimes working from home is super boring and other times there are about a million things that draw your attention from important tasks you’re supposed to be completing. Having trouble keeping your focus? Try following these simple but effective tips.

1. Have A Designated Working Space

When you work from home, it can be very tempting to work from your bed or from the comfort of your couch but you MUST resist the temptations. Everyone isn’t able to have an entire home office to call their own, but that’s totally ok! Even if you have a desk in the corner of your living room or have to use the kitchen table, you should have a designated work space in your home. Someplace that allows you to be comfortable but not too comfortable, a place with plenty of light that definitely doesn’t face the television! You’ll be surprised at how much easier it is to stay focused once you have a space that promotes productivity.

2. Stay Away From Social Media

Yes, this means all of your favorite sites and blogs as well! You definitely can’t stay focused if you’re switching over to Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram every five minutes. There are studies that show that social media in the workplace may actually boost productivity over time, but it can also be a serious detriment to your focus. If you find it a little too hard to keep your focus on your work and away from the internet, you can use applications and programs like Cold Turkey that will block you from visiting specific sites for specific amounts of time.

 

3. Give Yourself A Schedule

I know, I know. One of the biggest benefits of working for yourself is that you don’t have to follow a schedule if you don’t want to. Unfortunately, if you have a hard time maintaining your focus, your lack of schedule can do more harm that good. As rigid as it may sound, setting a strict schedule for your workday is definitely a good idea. Of course, if you have kiddos running around the house during the day, you’ll have to be a little more lax and open, but you should still try to stick to your schedule as much as possible.

4. Listen To Some Music

Playing some great tunes are a great way to stay focused while working. While blasting heavy metal may not be the best course of action, there are tons of ready-made playlists out there that are specifically crafted to help people focus. You can also put together a playlist of your own favorite songs. This will help keep your brain active and you focus on your work.

5. Set Daily Work Goals

A lack of real direction can be a huge proponent for lack of focus. If you don’t really know what you need to be doing, it can be hard to get anything done. Each day, you should determine what exactly what your working goals are. Putting them on paper or on a computerized list makes it much easier to track your progress throughout the day and stay focused on all the things you need to accomplish.

6. Don’t Forget To Take Breaks

Unless you’re Superman, there is almost no way you’re going to be able to get through more than an hour or so of work without needing at least a short break. It might seem a little counterproductive, but frequent breaks actually help you more than you think. While you definitely shouldn’t follow up every hour of work with a 30 minute break, getting up to stretch, grab a snack, or get some fresh air will refresh you and have you ready to get back to work.

 

Jordyn Smith

Jordyn Smith

A city girl currently living it up in the south with my little family. I love baking, hoarding makeup, and daydreaming. If I'm not writing, I'm probably trying to think up weird pizza recipes or watching Property Brothers.
Jordyn Smith

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Beauty & StyleCareer

How To Dress For the Job You Want, Not The Job You Have

by Guest Post
written by Guest Post

Fashion is a modern day career concern for everyone, especially moms. When you are trying to make a good first impression, your personal appearance is a big consideration. For moms, this can be tough. It’s likely that on some days, you struggle to look confident, fresh and full of energy, because you probably started your day earlier than everyone else and feel like you already put in a full day’s work before even arriving to the office. One of the most important times to be on your A-Game when it comes to your work wardrobe is when interviewing for a new job or a promotion. As much as we hate to admit it, first impressions often stick with us, especially when it comes to our clothes.

Every mom’s dream is to have that magic closet that can give you that vigorous and professional look, that naturally makes you look like a strong and intelligent woman your kids and colleagues will look up to.

We all know what that mental spiral can turn into: “I want to be memorable, but not appear too eager.” “I want to look fashionable, so I don’t look out of touch, but I also want to let people know I’m a serious professional.” The contradictions of your work wardrobe checklist can feel impossible. We hope these simple tips will help you as you dress to impress.

 

1. Comfort Is Key

Obviously, wearing sweatpants or your yoga pants to your next board meeting is not the look you’re going for, especially when wanting to make a good impression. However, being uncomfortable is noticeable. If you choose an outfit that you think looks good but feels awful, it is a recipe for failure. If all you are doing is tugging at the pants that are too tight or trying not to scratch yourself, you suddenly don’t look as professional as you had hoped.

The last thing you want is for a room full of your colleagues to be distracted from your workplace genius by the constant readjustment of your clothes. For new, moms don’t push it too far, especially when you know you have to shed pounds before you can wear that pencil skirt again. Give yourself time and don’t fret too much on feeling thick.

The same rule applies to shoes. While we aren’t suggesting slippers or running shoes, comfortable footwear has the edge over uncomfortable shoes when it comes to professional success. It won’t matter how fabulous your shoes are or how great they look with your outfit if you are hobbling. Not only does it make you seem silly for wearing shoes that hurt your feet, but the searing foot pain of an uncomfortable pair of shoes can be an ultimate distraction from your work.

2. Wear An Eye Catching Accessory

This is a good tip particularly for those in a competitive professional arena. Having a light or memorable element to your look helps people take notice without having to be visually overwhelmed. It can be extremely easy to go overboard with this one. This is why we recommend you pick one exciting element and leave it at that.

Fashion accessories are endless. You could easily incorporate a scarf or tie to capture attention and give you that competitive edge. Things like a bright or patterned accent belt or a jacket with large buttons are good examples of great accents that aren’t loud or off-putting. Even something as simple as a blouse with a unique pattern or a piece of statement jewelry can set you apart. Just be sure to keep it tasteful. Keeping the limit to a one-star focal point will prevent your outfits from screaming “desperation.” I think we can all agree that there are fashion statements, and then their pleas for attention.

3. Wear Your Confidence

Feeling good in what you are wearing is the most important thing to consider when you are dressing to achieve your professional goals. There may be times when the professional dress code pushes you outside your comfort zone. This makes it all the more important that you personalize the parts of your ensemble that make you the most uncomfortable.

Perhaps you are a person who is more reserved and introverted. It could be that the thought of wearing anything outside of a neutral tone that may draw attention sounds horrifying. So you may want to consider small attention pieces, to begin with.

Or maybe you are someone who can’t resist a beautiful accessory. Limiting your loud self-expression to a professional environment can seem like torture to an extroverted personality. That’s why it’s is important for you to put great consideration into making sure that your selections are comfortable (no matter how positively gorgeous they may be). Deliberately choosing your focal point piece allows you to enjoy your personality without making it the point of conversation. You want your work to shine, so the bravado of your style may have to take a back seat at the office.

Striking the perfect balance between outlandish and boring while remaining professionally appropriate can sometimes be easier said than done. It is important to find the middle ground between uninhibited self-expression, motherhood and the sort of business camouflage that makes you fading into the background. Hopefully, these tips will come in handy the next time your business fashion needs parameters or helpful guidelines.

 

Author Bio

Cari Samalik is a Michigan based entrepreneur and Mom and the CEO & co-founder of Livnfresh – a state related T-shirt brand. Previously, she worked in the healthcare, and food and beverage industries before marrying into a screen printing business.

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CareerLifestyle

7 Wonderful Working Mom Blogs

by Jordyn Smith
written by Jordyn Smith

Finding support as a working mom can be tough, it can be easy to feel like you’re braving the world of working mommyhood completely alone. Even if you’re the only working mother in your friend group, it is important to know that there are other mothers out there who have your back. The internet, for all of its faults, is filled with amazing mothers from different backgrounds and with different families coming together to support each other in one common cause. Motherhood. Whether you need help juggling being a wife, a mother, and an employee or you just need a few like-minded mothers to connect with, these awesome working mom blogs are a fantastic place to start.

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1. Working Mom Magic

Created and run by a fun-loving working mother of two, Working Mom Magic is there to show mother’s that it’s totally alright to be a little frazzled. Containing everything from school fundraising tips to adorable anecdotes about her family, Working Mom Magic is the perfect place to go if you’re struggling with keeping it all together. Sit back, relax, and let TV news producer owner, Laura, entertain you with her adorable family.

Head over to Working Mom Magic to find out more.

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2. Mommy Shorts

With style, grace, and an awesome name to boot, Mommy Shorts is one inspiring blog. Run by busy New York City mom Ilana, Mommy Shorts features tons of unbelievable parenting wisdom, endless amounts of entertaining wit, and enough family cuteness to completely knock your socks off.

Visit Mommy Shorts for a more in-depth look at the blog.

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3. Nine To V

This hilarious Cleveland mother sheds light on everything from breast pumping to her love of Netflix on her blog Nine To V. While the blog isn’t a traditional mommy blog, full of weeknight recipes and other resources, it is definitely a place where one working mother goes to talk about her life. If you’re looking for irreverent takes on everything motherhood entails, this is the place to find them.

Visit Nine To V to find more unflinching hilarity.

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4. Hip As I Wanna Be

Adorably offbeat mom Jen uses her blog Hip As I Wanna Be to detail her life as a working mother of teenage boys. While this blog is still full of personal anecdotes, it mainly features amazing pieces that range from everything to budgeting to proper self-care, all still under the much larger umbrella of peaceful living. Hip As I Wanna Be is the perfect place to find that peace you’ve been looking for.

Get on over to Hip As I Wanna Be to start your journey.

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5. Caffeine & Fairydust

Don’t let the ridiculously adorable name fool you, Caffeine & Fairydust is run by one hardworking South African Mama. This blog is filled with irreverent parenting tips, hilarious rants, and a healthy dose of amazing pop culture references. The owner, Maz, somehow manages to be equally informative as she is completely hilarious. And while she is definitely mommy blogger royalty, she’s still completely relatable.

Check out Caffeine & Fairydust for a healthy dose of mom reality.

 

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6. Mommy Call

Let’s face it, all of us mothers have wished that we were best friends with a pediatrician more than once. Well, this doctor mommy is about to make that dream come true…Kind of. Mommy Call is a healthy combination of personal family posts and insightful, educational parenting tips. Learn how to properly talk to your children about guns and where to find the best coffee in Philadelphia on the same page.

Head over to Mommy Call for more information.

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7. Sleeping Should Be Easy

Working woman, mother of three, and published author Nina definitely has a lot on her plate, but that doesn’t keep her from running one amazingly helpful blog. Sleeping Should Be Easy, which is also the title of her book, is full of interesting discussions about parenthood and working as mother. Learn tons of tips, tricks, secrets, and more on this colorful blog.

Visit Sleeping Should Be Easy to get help for the balancing act of motherhood.

Jordyn Smith

Jordyn Smith

A city girl currently living it up in the south with my little family. I love baking, hoarding makeup, and daydreaming. If I'm not writing, I'm probably trying to think up weird pizza recipes or watching Property Brothers.
Jordyn Smith

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Working mom
CareerTips & Ideas

How To Find Balance As A Working Mom

by Jordyn Smith
written by Jordyn Smith

Just like being a stay at home mom, working full-time as a mother comes with its own set of advantages and drawbacks. While the advantages are amazing, having an extra income, working a fulfilling career, etc., it is extremely easy to get overwhelmed with both your work and home lives and when you are a mother in the workforce, especially if your family is still relatively new.

It’s not always easy, but you should always remember that the satisfaction you feel in your career doesn’t mean that your family life has to suffer, especially if you follow these tips.

Working mom

1. Separate Work and Home Life

Having a clear separation of your work and home life is an extremely important part of keeping your life balanced. Live by the rule that you should keep your work at work and your home life at home. Try your hardest not to still be stuck in “work mode” when you come home for the day, whether that means by keeping your actual work within the confines of the office or changing your attitude altogether once you get home. Having clear, distinct parameters like this will help a lot when it comes to overworking and making more time for your family.

Working mom

2. Allow Your Partner to Help

Aside from being the love of your life, you chose to start and raise a family with your husband for a reason, which makes it important to allow him to take the reins when you’re overwhelmed. As a working mom, you have a tendency to take on much more than you can realistically handle, whether it’s making dinner, putting the kids down, or taking on a few more chores .It is important to communicate with your husband that you may need to take on a little less than you have been.

Working mom

3. Stay Organized

Proper organization is a huge part of the family and work balance act. Having a set schedule of your working hours and having an organizational calendar of all of your kids and family’s events will allow you to keep better tracks of things without getting frazzled.

Tip: try using the handy calendar application on your cellphone to keep track of your events, not only can you take it everywhere you go but will always have a scheduled reminder before any events as well.

Working mom

4. Carve Out Specific Family Time

Set specific times for spending time with your family. Whether it’s visiting the park once a week, having dinner together every night, or an annual vacation, you should make ample time to spend with your family when you are all unplugged and connected to one another. Setting an unmoving time for family helps promote structure but still allows you more relaxation and time with your loved ones.

Working mom

5. Consider A Flexible Schedule

If you work a job where having a flexible schedule (like working 40 hours over 4 days instead of 5) is possible and have a boss that would allow it you should definitely consider it. While working a more flexible schedule would require you to have a bit more discipline, and work slightly longer hours on your office days, it could also be a great compromise that would allow you to spend more days away from work and at home with your family.

Working mom

6. Go Easy on Yourself

Working mom guilt is something that many mothers in the workforce have to overcome. It can be easy to get caught up in certain expectations and misconceptions about what motherhood should be, causing working mothers to feel guilty about choosing to stay in the workforce. It is important to remind yourself that your decisions are always valid, just like your love for your family. Remember that your partner and your children will love, support, and care for you no matter what you choose to do. We’ve also got a great piece on handling working mom guilt you should check out.

Working mom

7. Have Quality Childcare

Never take a high-quality babysitter or nanny for granted. It may be hard for you and your husband to allow non-family members to care for your children from time to time or on a regular basis, but having regular childcare for your children will save you heaps of stress in the long run. Working late at the office, having a date night, or just needing some extra help when you’re feeling particularly overwhelmed, can be solved by a regular babysitter, if you can afford it.

 

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CareerFinances

5 Flexible Jobs Perfect For Mamas Going Back To Work

by Guest Post
written by Guest Post

At any point in time – going back to work as a mom can be a challenge. Whether you’re a brand-spanking-new mom going back to an old job once your maternity leave is up, or a stay-at-home-mom who has decided to rejoin the work force, it’s tough. Between school schedules and extracurricular activities, sick kiddos and school holidays, family dinners and field trips, it’s hard to find a job that gives you the flexibility you need to really get back into the workforce.

And that doesn’t even touch on how daunting it can be to rejoin the workforce! Are you looking to rejoin your old field? Do you have a degree to fall back on? Are you looking for entry-level work? Do you want to work out of the house or work from home?

It’s easy to feel nervous and overwhelmed at the thought of putting yourself out there again. Luckily there are plenty of opportunities that are perfect for moms just like you. To ease your stress and get you started, we’ve pulled together a list of five flexible job opportunities to look for — or to create for yourself.

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1. Freelancer

You can freelance as pretty much anything, if you’re willing to put yourself out there and find or make opportunities for yourself. Popular freelancing fields include:

  • Writing and editing
  • Photography
  • Web design and development
  • Marketing and social media management
  • Bookkeeping and tax preparation

Brainstorm a list of your talents, qualifications, work experience and hobbies. Chances are you’ll unearth a few traits and interests that would lend themselves to freelance work. Check Craigslist, local job listings and reputable freelancing sites for opportunities.

The ability to work from home and set your own hours makes freelancing a perfect option for moms.

2. Nurse

Did you know there’s a nursing shortage? If you were a nurse before, now is a great time to consider going back or becoming an instructor. A big part of the nursing shortage is due to a lack of nursing instructors, so taking your skills and experience to the classroom is another valuable option.

For those with no prior nursing experience, this still may be a great option for you. You can get an associate’s degree in two to three years. Or, if you want to get your foot in the door while continuing your education, you can become a medical assistant in as little as a year. You can then pursue a nursing degree while gaining valuable experience.

Nurses tend to have long hours, but that is usually offset by only working three to four days a week, which leaves you free for the remaining three to four days.

Not sure you want to work at a hospital or private practice? Consider looking to hire yourself out for in-home nursing gigs.

3. School Jobs

Don’t have a teaching certification? Don’t worry — there are plenty of school jobs that will allow you to keep the same schedule as your kids without certification.

Degree, experience, on-the-job training, qualifying tests or other requirements will vary job to job, school to school and area to area. Check local public and private schools to see if there are openings for:

  • Teacher’s aides
  • Reading aides
  • ESL support
  • Speech therapy
  • Substitute teachers
  • Cafeteria workers
  • Bus drivers

Similarly, look into becoming a private tutor or online tutor for subjects you have experience or a high level of competence in. And don’t write off the flexibility offered by teaching private lessons in a talent of your choice — singing, playing an instrument, coding, playing a sport, etc.

4. Bank Teller

Despite ATMs, online banking and other technological advances, you may be surprised that bank teller made Forbes’ list of occupations with the most growth in 2015.

Job opportunities aren’t the only advantage being a teller has to offer. Consider:

  • Hours that work well with school schedules and family dinners
  • Bank holidays
  • Requirement of a high school diploma or equivalent
  • On-the-job training
  • Banking and financial ins and outs that are beneficial and relevant to your personal finances

Although some banks have added extended hours, many still follow traditional bank hours, making it a good fit for moms with school-age kids.

5. Translator

In an increasingly diverse, multicultural, global society, skilled translators are a must. Are you fluent in English and a second — or third — language? That’s all you need to nab a position in the rapidly growing field of interpretation and translation.

Doctor’s offices, courthouses and schools are just a few places you can start your search if you’re looking to translate in person or over the phone. If you’d rather work from home, look for opportunities to translate documents or websites. And don’t forget ASL! Sign language interpreters are always in demand.

Even if none of these jobs are the perfect fit for you, hopefully this list will still strengthen your resolve and give you hope. Finding a job is a stressful time for anyone, not just moms, so and remind yourself every day that the search may be hard but you’re worth it! There really are a ton of flexible positions available for the taking, and this list is just the tip of the iceberg. Go get em’, Mamas!

Jennifer Landis is a 27-year-old healthy living blogger who loves yoga, running, and dancing it out with her toddler! You can find more from Jennifer at her blog, Mindfulness Mama, or by following her on Twitter: @jenniferelandis.

 

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Design

7 Seriously Inspiring Home Workspaces

by Jordyn Smith
written by Jordyn Smith

When you work from home, it is important to have a designated workspace that you not only feel completely comfortable in but also helps inspire you to create amazing things as well. You’d be surprised at how much a few typography wall pictures, a fun area rug, or a colorful desk can completely transform your office space into a Pinterest-worthy workspace. The workspaces on this list are incredibly inspiring as well as simplistic and relatively easy to achieve, so keep reading to get truly inspired!

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Source: theglitterguide.com

1. Bright and Simple

This comfy carpeted workspace is the epitome of simple elegance. The plain white walls and desk combine beautifully with the gorgeous framed wall art and lightly colored furniture in the rest of the room, making the entire space look homey without being too shabby and simple without being too bare.

Check out Glitter Guide to find amazing design inspiration, gorgeous fashion galleries, and awesome entertainment news.

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Source: blog.potterybarn.com

2. A Splash Of Color

The presence of a gorgeous teal feature desk and an adorable fluffy chair transform this simple workspace into a whimsical, inspiring place to create. The addition of sentimental mementos on the walls and inspiring messages also add an amazing personalized feel to the space.

Visit the Pottery Barn blog to find amazing design tips for every room in your home.

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Source: theeverygirl.com

3. Shared Space

This workspace is a shining example of a perfectly done shared home space. Everything within the room is perfectly coordinated without being too similar or uniform. Each side has its own items and personality but they both come together to create a gorgeous, combined space that manages to be both simple and inspiring.

Head on over to The Every Girl to find awesome content on all things ‘girl’.

View More: http://rusticwhitephotography.pass.us/waitingonmartha

Source: waitingonmartha.com

4. Wall To Wall Chic

Wallpaper truly does has the ability to completely transform a space, especially a workspace. This speckled black and white wallpaper draw tons of attention while the simplistic white furniture keeps the overall chic vibe alive. The gorgeous accessories like the furry rub, wall piece, and horse lamp add a little eccentric taste to already beautiful space.

From delicious brunch recipes to party planning ideas, Waiting On Martha is the perfect site for any would-be host.

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Source: styleyoursenses.com

5. Dual-Purpose Glamour

This home workspace also doubles as a child’s playroom, which makes functionality just as important as design. The absolutely beautiful gold and mirrored desk, along with the light pink curtains and decorative wall art give the small space a sort of vintage glam, succeeding in separating it slightly from the rest of the room, taking it into its own little world.

Learn how to style your home and your body at Style Your Senses.

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Source: stylemepretty.com

6. Feature Wall

Including a feature wall in your design plans is always an easy way to add tons of personality to your workspace. While this space doesn’t cover the entire wall in the black and white striped pattern, the small slice is more than enough to convey the chic tastes of the designer. The black and old desk not only meshes perfectly with the rest of the room but it adds an original spin to the already beautiful space.

See gorgeous wedding galleries and truly inspiring homes at Style Me Pretty.

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Source: earnesthomeco.com

7. Perfectly Minimalistic

Another shared space done in an entirely original way, this workspace uses a large communal desk as the focal point of the room. The beautiful shelving unit manages to be both beautiful and functional and the whimsical cow print area rug adds tons of life.

Buy beautiful homewares and find great design tips at Earnest Home Co.

Jordyn Smith

Jordyn Smith

A city girl currently living it up in the south with my little family. I love baking, hoarding makeup, and daydreaming. If I'm not writing, I'm probably trying to think up weird pizza recipes or watching Property Brothers.
Jordyn Smith

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