Even in 2019, women in the workforce often still find themselves facing outdated, sexist notions about family rearing and career advancement – namely that women cannot be both professionally successful and a good parent, so they should focus their efforts mostly on parenting. While these ideas are old and may seem rooted in tradition, they are – and have always been – wrong, and millions of moms across the country demonstrate this each day.

You can be a great mom and excel in your career – but it definitely is not always easy, and for some reason, we women seem hesitant to talk about just how hard it can sometimes be. Perhaps it is a response to societal pressures or workplace discrimination that makes us reluctant to talk about these struggles, for fear that they will be used as fuel against the working mom.

But know that if you sometimes find yourself struggling to find the right balance between your work and family life: you are not a bad mom, you are not a bad employee, and you are not alone. Below are a few tips to help you readjust and find a balance that works better for everyone.

Use an Agenda, Planner, and Calendar

One of the best tips for striking the right work-life balance – whether you have children or not – is to master time management. And the key to time management is proper scheduling. Be organized! Even over-organize!

Try utilizing your cell phone’s digital calendar, and have it set reminders for your upcoming appointments and deadlines. You can also have it sync with other people’s calendars to create a shared family calendar, so everyone is always on the same page.

If you prefer the good old-fashioned pen and paper method, consider using an agenda or planner book. They come in all sizes, from full sized notebook to a 5’-8’ that can fit right in your purse. Desk calendars are also great tools to help you stay on track; if you’re using multiple methods, just make sure they all have the same information!

Know When to Delegate

Delegation is honestly one of the biggest keys to success in any venture. You simply can’t do everything all by yourself, and you shouldn’t try. Learn when to delegate.

If you own your own business or are in a management position, consider exploring some support services – like those on the Gloss Genius website for salons, or other business management software.

When it comes to family life, instead of rushing home after work to pick your kid up from practice, try exploring the possibility of them finding their own ride home. Instead of trying to manage all the housework on your own, delegate some age appropriate tasks to your children. If you have a partner, talk with them about organizing your chores and responsibilities.

Join a Carpool

This might sound a little out there, but joining a carpool can actually be really useful in your quest to find a better work-life balance. This can be a carpool for your kids and their friends, but it can also be one for you for your commute.

Sure, if you’re carpooling your kids and their friends, you will at some point have to drive around a bunch of children – but you save yourself from having to drive all the other times that your child needs that ride. As for carpooling on your commute, if you’re not driving, it can be a great opportunity for some “me time”. Take a nap, read a book, eat breakfast, chat with friends – when you’re not driving the carpool, that’s more time in your day for you to enjoy. And just think about all the stress you’re saving from not having to deal with all that traffic!

These are just a few changes you can make to better juggle your work and family life. It can be done! Get creative and set step-by-step goals to make the changes easier.

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