Is Me Time a Work at Home Mum Myth?
This is a question I pondered today as my husband and I sit over our computers, run in and out of the house and try and meet all the deadlines. Scheduled into my day is time for my child, time to work, time to cook and time to clean but what about me time….
It sounds funny to say that we need to schedule me time but we do we need to allow time for us to be in our days and it is not or no longer should be at Work at Home myth so how do we do it.
Prioritise your life
It is essential that you spend some time reflecting on all that you are doing. In the midst of not even having enough time to sit down for a cup of coffee, making time to reflect can seem like a big evil monster waiting under the bed. However it is not that scary and what you will find is a cute fluffy rabbit when we end.
Look carefully at all of the things you are currently doing and determine which are the most important. Look at what is important to you as well as your business and family. It is time to create order to figure out which things you really must do now, which things can wait and which things you can let go of (scary thought you can you know)
Combine tasks to get some me and family time:
Some of your many tasks can be combined. Taking a walk with family after work will give you some time together and also a chance to stretch and exercise. You can provide a safe place on the floor in the kitchen for your child to play, observe and talk with you while you are fixing dinner and for older children why not get them to join in.
Simplify Things
A child is only a child once and having a child means, your house will be a mess, people will come over unannounced and they will want to spend time with you! To them you are very cool and the only person to be with let them enjoy you!
Very simple, nutritious meals can be thrown together quickly. Sandwiches, smoothies, quesadillas, there are many options for 15 minutes or under dinner prep and there is always takeaway if Mummy’s sanity needs it!
Being a Work at Home Mum is a Balancing Act
We may never find a moment in we feel perfectly caught up on all the things they expect that we should do. If you consider this a normal state you can learn to relax about it. Balance isn't something you necessarily find as a parent, it is something you are always moving towards.
One week you will get lots of good things done at work and the house will be a wreck. Balance doesn't happen in any one instant, but it can happen in the long run.
The most important thing is that Me Time and Family Time do exist for the Work at Home Mum it is all just a matter of scheduling it in!
About the author
Business Woman, Wife, Mother and Mentor Linda Reed-Enever is passionate about connecting. With over 10 years’ experience in the marketing and recruitment sectors, Linda established Australia’s friendliest family website, Family Capers and is Principal Director at ThoughtSpot PR and Media Connections.
