Mother’s Day can bring in a sense of nostalgia, childhood memories, and innocence. I encourage you to dedicate a time of reflection, connection and a sense of childlike wonder and joy. Particularly on happy memories from the past. You may find yourself wanting to revisit past experiences longing for simpler times when life was less complicated and responsibilities were fewer. Embrace the positive memories of the past and bring that energy into the present day, in order to experience more joy and happiness in the future. Time moves so quickly and waits for no one and without that time for reflection, we can take life and each other for granted.
Mother’s Day can also symbolize family, tradition, and the passing down of wealth and knowledge from one generation to another, and the importance of family and community. It’s a great time to connect with one’s roots and honour family traditions and build strong relationships and support systems with those around us.
Unfortunately so many get caught up in the monetary aspects of Mother’s Day ( or any holiday really) because we can place too much value on material wealth and status. Unfortunately, this can lead to a lack of fulfilment or happiness in life. I encourage us to find a balance between our material and spiritual needs and to appreciate the wealth and abundance that we have in our lives and with our own mothers. Mothers aren’t perfect and we all make a ton of mistakes along the way, but at the end of the day, all of us are doing the best we can with the tools we are given and none of us would be here without a mom.
Common Working Mothers Complaints
It’s all about balance these days. Life seems to be getting busier and busier with no end in sight, especially with the everyday demands on working moms. Every mother I know would happily skip a meal or two or their own workouts just to ensure that her child has what it needs. It comes with the territory of parents. But all too often mothers find themselves in a pattern of self-sacrifice to accommodate those needs. Over time those patterns can be hard to change and may affect mental, emotional and physical health. Only to find out that “ The “Martyrdom mentality” is not good for anyone. This leads to a plethora of complaints, especially from working mothers.
Statistics have shown that even when both parents bring home the bacon, the mom is still responsible for over 70% of the household duties ( cleaning, laundry, groceries and meals ), which includes extra circulars for kids. Scientifically women are better at multitasking than men and women also need more sleep than men in order to be able to replenish their reserves. No wonder moms experience more burnout. I have found that there are several common complaints amongst working mothers in the workplace, let alone what she is faced with at home.
- Lack of work-life balance: Many working mothers feel that they are constantly juggling their work responsibilities and family obligations, leaving them with little time for themselves.
- Difficulty in finding quality child care: Finding reliable and affordable childcare can be a major challenge for working mothers. Many report feeling stressed and anxious about leaving their children in the care of others.
- Limited career growth opportunities: Some working mothers feel that their career growth opportunities are limited due to the demands of motherhood. They may struggle to balance their family responsibilities with the demands of their job, which can make it difficult to advance in their careers.
- Unequal treatment in the workplace: Some working mothers report feeling discriminated against in the workplace due to their family responsibilities. They may feel that they are overlooked for promotions or opportunities because of their status as a mother.
- Financial strain: Many working mothers ( single moms and double-income families) still struggle to make ends meet, as the cost of childcare and other family expenses can be prohibitively high. This can lead to stress and anxiety, as they worry about their ability to provide for their families.
Helpful Tips For Positive Change
I have listed a few simple tips that can help mothers establish a better work-life balance. A lot of these suggestions have been previously recommended for stress management, but they are effective tools when implemented and can make a positive overall difference in how anyone can handle and manage stress and find more balance.
- Set boundaries: Establish clear boundaries between work and home life. For example, try to avoid checking work emails or taking work calls during family time.
- Prioritize tasks: Make a list of the most important tasks that need to be done each day and prioritize them accordingly. Focus on the most important tasks first and try not to get bogged down by smaller, less important tasks.
- Learn to say no: It’s okay to say no to additional work or social commitments if they are going to take away from your family time or your own personal time.
- Learn to say no to your children. Saying no doesn’t make you a bad parent, on the contrary, It makes you human and it helps prepare children for the real world because things aren’t always going to go their way. Learning to accept no for an answer helps children learn to deal with disappointment, which is healthy.
- Practice self-care: Make sure to take time for yourself each day, whether it’s reading a book, taking a bath, or going for a walk. This will help you recharge and be more productive in the long run.
- Get organized: Use a calendar or planner to help you stay on top of your schedule and avoid overbooking yourself.
- Seek support: Reach out to friends, family, or other working mothers for support and advice. You can also consider joining a support group or seeking the help of a therapist if you’re feeling overwhelmed.
- Communicate with your employer: If you’re feeling overwhelmed, talk to your employer about your workload and see if there are ways to adjust your schedule or
- Get enough sleep ( which can be difficult if you are dealing with very young children. : Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep each night to help you feel rested and energized.
- Exercise regularly: Make time for regular exercise, even if it’s just a 30-minute walk each day. Exercise can help reduce stress and boost your mood.
- Eat a healthy diet: Make sure to eat a balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein.
- Take breaks: Take frequent breaks throughout the day to stretch and move around. This can help reduce physical tension and improve circulation.
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to help you stay alert and focused.
- Practice mindfulness: Take a few minutes each day to practice mindfulness, whether it’s through meditation, deep breathing, or simply focusing on the present moment.
- Seek support: Reach out to friends, family, or a therapist, including biofeedback if you’re feeling overwhelmed or stressed.
- Manage stress: Practice stress-management techniques such as yoga, deep breathing, or journaling to help reduce stress.
- Set realistic goals: Set achievable goals for yourself and break them down into manageable steps.
- Practice self-compassion: ( more details in subheading below ) Be kind to yourself and practice self-compassion, especially during difficult times.
- Engage in spiritual practices: Find a spiritual practice that resonates with you, whether it’s prayer, meditation, or attending religious services.
- Connect with nature: Spend time outdoors in nature to help you feel more connected to the world around you.
- Cultivate gratitude: Practice gratitude by taking time each day to reflect on the things you’re grateful for.
- Find meaning and purpose: Engage in activities that bring you a sense of purpose and meaning, whether it’s volunteering or pursuing a creative passion.
- Connect with others: Connect with others who share your spiritual beliefs, whether it’s through a faith community or a spiritual group.
- Book a Biofeedback session to help deregulate the body from stress, support pathways and help you calm your nervous system and activate homeostasis.