Transitioning from stay-at-home mom to working mom has its challenges. You’ve gotten used to being at home, and heading back to working full-time may be a little bit bumpy. This change can be especially tough for kids if they’re used to having you home.
However, there are some specific things you can do to make this transition much smoother.
Here are some steps you can take to help the transition:
1. Have a schedule. Creating a schedule helps you build balance while you transition back to working. You can manage tasks at home and at work when you have a solid plan in place.
* Without a schedule, it’s easy to become overwhelmed with all that needs to be done. Creating a daily schedule for both your tasks at home and your tasks at work can help you stay balanced.
* A schedule also helps you avoid surprises. A routine allows you and your kids to adjust to your new situation, and knowing what to expect can help relieve any anxiety you may be feeling.
2. Find a daycare or nanny. If it’s within your means, consider utilizing a daycare or a nanny to help supervise your children. It will reduce your workload, allowing you to work during the day and then come home and spend quality time with your family.
* If possible, try to schedule calls during breaks at work so you check on your kids.
3. Meal prep. It can be challenging to prepare food at home when you first start working, and prepping meals in advance can be a big time saver. Try preparing food during the weekend so your meals are ready to go.
* Having meals prepped in advance is helpful on days when you may be working late or tired, and it takes away the work of cooking every day after a long day at work. Planning an entire week in advance can keep your family from eating the same food for dinner every night
4. Ask for help from family and friends. Ask family and friends to help babysit your kids if you aren’t comfortable with a nanny or daycare.
* If you’re working from home, this can be especially helpful, providing you with a number of uninterrupted hours of work in a day. You may even be able to work out a deal with another parent that works from home, making it beneficial for you both.
5. Delegate household chores. If you have older kids who can help around the house, you can delegate some work to them. They can help with homework, washing dishes, folding laundry, etc.
* Also, if all your kids are old enough to help, work with them to create a chore list for each child, whether it’s loading the dishwasher, cleaning up, or putting toys where they belong. It will help take a lot of workload off you and give you more time to rest.
If you’re looking to transition as a working mom, start with creating schedules. You can try out different schedules for a week or so and see which ones work best for you and your family. It will take some time to get used to the new changes, but with time, you’ll get the hang of it.
Ask for the support of your family and friends if you can’t handle everything by yourself and take breaks if you need to. Know that you are doing a great job, and appreciate your hard work.
