What it takes to Succeed - The RULES for working mothers
Rule 1: Take care of yourself first; the rest will fall into place
Make sure you work out, if that is important to you. Make sure you get your hair done, if that is important to you. Make sure you are happy! You cannot be a good mom or good employee if you do not take care of yourself first.
Rule 2: Get extra sleep whenever you can
You never know when you will be up all night
Rule 3: Accept help.
Spend the extra money to have someone clean your house, even if it is only once a month. Pay the babysitter for one extra hour and go to the grocery store after work. Go out with your spouse to a movie without your kids. Spend a night in a hotel to get a good night sleep!
Rule 4: Make sure your spouse or partner is helping
As Dr. Phil says, we teach people how to treat us. Do not let your spouse get away with not helping with the cooking, cleaning and groceries. Make a list and divide up the chores.
Rule 5: Have a life
If you are the type who liked to do things on the spur of the moment, you will have to force yourself to start planning. Don’t lose your friends and keep your relationship with your spouse alive! You are going to be very busy and tired, so don’t over do it. Make plans for once every few months. Start a dinner club and set up a standing date night. I joined a mothers group that has members who work and who stay at home. There are playgroups and moms only meetings in the evenings. Try to find one in your area.
Rule 6: Create a support group for yourself
Make sure you have a pediatrician you trust, an OBGYN you like, a great hairdresser to make you feel beautiful when you need it most, good neighbors (get out there and meet them), a great babysitter or two (especially if your in-laws or parents don’t live near by), girlfriends who do not judge, and a supportive spouse. Remember, they each serve different purposes in life and no one can give you all of this.
Rule 7: Get a role model
Get Judy Cleaver out of your head. Your role model will probably be a combination of many different mothers you admire. Don’t try to be super mom. Decide what is important to you, write it down, and commit!
Tips:
- Fridge in the garage (to store extra milk, drinks, frozen pizzas)
- Itemized grocery list- now anyone can go to the store for you (even better - organize it by aisle)
- Use quicken and on-line bill pay (enter the age of information and use it to your advantage)
- Laundry baskets- now anyone can do the laundry
- Whites
- Darks
- Can’t go in the drier
- Wash during the week and leave folded clothes in there to pick up
- Buy a steamer for wrinkles
- Saves money on dry clean and only takes two minutes to use
