5 Tips for Quality Time with your Kiddos as a Working Mom

As a working mom, you can be away for long hours during the day and sometimes that can feel like you miss spending quality time with your kiddos. But working outside of the home doesn’t mean second best for your children. You may just need to be a little more intentional when it comes down to spending time together as a family. Here are some tips to help you along.

1. Add special time with your kiddos into your daily routine. This could be morning cuddles before you get ready for work or reading your little one a story before bed every night. Just be sure to be consistent with what you choose to do, so your kiddo knows what to expect.
   

2. Wherever you are be all there. If you are spending time with your kiddo, be sure that you are present and participating in the activity. It is easy to be with your child physically but be distracted by your phone. So set aside your device.
   

3. Schedule a mommy and me time once a month. This could be on a weekend or it could mean taking a day off to spend some one-on-one time with your kid. Fetch them from school early one day and take them to do their favourite thing. Kids thrive on undivided attention.
   

4. Include them in what you are doing. If you are busy with washing dishes, let them help with the drying up or if you are doing your makeup, let them sit and chat with you. Just being with you doing everyday things still counts as spending time with your little one.
   

5. Ask them about their days. Ask specific questions and let your kid tell you about what they did, who they saw or any little thing that happened during their day. Ask them how it made them feel. Truly listen to them.

These are just a few things that will help you on your path to more intentional quality time with your kids. What are some of your suggestions?

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On being a working mom

Sometimes as a mom you have to work or want to work. Being a working mom is tough, draining and exciting all at the same time. It can take a lot out of you by trying to get the work-life balance sorted. Here's some encouragement from Tina Fey (who is super successful at what she does AND is a great mom):

"I think every working mom probably feels the same thing: You go through big chunks of time where you're just thinking, 'This is impossible — oh, this is impossible.' And then you just keep going and keep going, and you sort of do the impossible." 

Here are our top tips for being a balanced working mama:

1. Schedule well, for yourself and your kiddos. 
2. Make to-do lists and PRIORITISE.
3. Be present, not perfect. 
4. Simplify meals + chores.
5. Look after yourself. 
6. Switch off your phone when work is done.
7. Ask for flexible hours, if possible. 
8. Hire help if you need it. 
9. Buy your groceries online. 
10. Make time for extra snuggles with your kiddos. 

Here's to perfecting the work-life balance!

This article was inspired by these: 1, 2, 3. So check them out for more tips!

Top image from here.