| To focus on the family and put them first is | | | | following simple tips can help you prevent |
| as natural to mothers as breathing. Failing | | | | the stress that leads to parenting burnout. |
| to focus on the family is rarely a choice for | | | | |
| any Mom-it is simply a way of life. | | | | 1. Parenting is a big job. Realize you can't |
| | | | do it all alone, effectively. You can't do it |
| Not long ago 'bringing home the bacon' was | | | | all (and do it well) by yourself. The best |
| traditionally the father's role, but now many | | | | thing you can do for your family is to ask |
| working mothers are 'bringing home the bacon' | | | | for help. Burning your candle at both ends |
| too. Today, 50% of the mothers in our country | | | | only leads to parenting burnout, and this is |
| are working full time, and most of these moms | | | | not healthy for you nor for your family. |
| experience the stress of trying to balance it | | | | |
| all, with parenting being one of the big | | | | 2. Graciously accept help. When someone asks |
| stressors . Sound familiar? | | | | if they can help you, always answer "Yes, |
| | | | thank you" and then figure out how. Let |
| The Only Way Working Mothers Can Focus on the | | | | others in your life, especially your children |
| Family AND Have It All | | | | and spouse, help you more. We all want to |
| | | | contribute-you may recognize this truth in |
| Although working mothers bring home some of | | | | the sense of achievement you get from doing |
| the bacon (and if you are a single mother, | | | | so much. By accepting more help you will |
| all of the bacon), it hasn't changed the fact | | | | boost your children's and spouse's |
| that most working mothers are doing all the | | | | self-esteem. When they do help, remember to |
| cooking of the bacon too. | | | | thank them, and focus on what they did well. |
| | | | Remember, focusing on what our loved ones |
| It's probably no surprise to you that married | | | | didn't do does not motivate them to want to |
| women consistently report doing more of the | | | | help us in the future. |
| household chores than their spouse. In | | | | |
| addition to taking on more chores, it is | | | | 3. Find ways to farm out the things you don't |
| common for working mothers to put unrealistic | | | | like to do. Don't like to iron? Consider |
| expectations and pressure on themselves-to be | | | | sending it to the cleaner and use the extra |
| the perfect Mom, perfect spouse, perfect | | | | time to focus on your family. Don't like to |
| daughter, perfect friend, and perfect career | | | | clean but love to cook? Trade chores with |
| woman as well. Yes, many of us working Moms | | | | household members, or with a girlfriend who |
| have an invisible, mental "S" tattooed on our | | | | loves to do the things you don't. |
| bellies, as we strive to be that unattainable | | | | |
| Super Woman! Yet sadly, Super Woman is often | | | | How Mothers Can Focus on the Family and Get |
| Super Stressed Woman. | | | | Their Work Done |
| | | | |
| When interviewed on the radio, I am often | | | | The day you die your inbox will have messages |
| asked if it is possible for working mothers | | | | unanswered, your laundry hamper will still |
| to have it all. My response is always, "YES! | | | | hold dirty clothes and your to-do list will |
| It is possible for working mothers to have it | | | | likely have items left incomplete. On that |
| all-BUT only if they ask for and accept | | | | day though, will you look back and feel that |
| help." | | | | your focus on your family was a fulfilling |
| | | | journey, or sadly realize it became a chore |
| The trouble is, most working mothers have | | | | you felt you had to do? |
| difficulty hanging up their Super Woman cape | | | | |
| and won't accept much help (if at all). | | | | Make certain your focus on the family is |
| | | | satisfying-choose to balance your work and |
| Three Ways to Prevent Parenting Burnout for | | | | family by finally hanging up your "Super Mom" |
| Working Mothers | | | | cape and letting others help you. It is all |
| | | | about prioritizing. Let go of what truly |
| Even though most Moms know it takes a village | | | | doesn't matter in the big picture, and |
| to raise a child, most mothers don't ask | | | | cherish what truly matters to you-your loved |
| their village for help. This puts undue | | | | ones, your hobbies, and the time you take to |
| stress on both moms and their families. The | | | | truly be present at work and at play. |