“God could not be everywhere so he made mothers” – Jewish Proverb.
Well, the originator of the proverb meant that a mother’s love is universal and unparalleled. He/she might not have visualized the modern, working mother.
Yet, true to the proverb, today’s mothers are expected to be everywhere – home, office, kid’s school – and if time permits, at the gym, club, social functions. The list could go on.
I do receive mails with questions on time management by working mother, like
- "How working mom with 5 kids balances life" ?
- "Effective tips for for working mom"?
- "What It's Like to Be a Full-Time Worker and a Mother"?
and the list goes on...….
The fact is Multitasking is a myth. Perhaps the ultimate multitasking woman was goddess Durga. She had ten arms, each armed with different arms! Even then, she had a single task – that of killing the demon Mahishasur. If wishes were horses, working women would like an extra pair of arms!
There are great numbers of books on time management. The Internet is rife with millions of pages on the topic. Yet it appears nothing works. All tips are repetitively boring.
Although well-intentioned, time management recommendations for working parents ignore an important point: there is no such thing as a "one-size-fits-all" answer for any problem or circumstance.
The tips below are in the similar lines but with a different touch. But some basic tips first. Even following the tips below will help you manage time tomorrow if not today.
Celebrate work: whether you are in business, service, self-employed or stay-at-home mom, love your work. Separate home and official work. Don’t let office stress encroach upon work at home and vice versa.
Celebrate motherhood: don't let life's tiny annoyances detract from the wonderful experience of becoming a mother.
As you sow, so shall you reap. Good mothering today will bear fruits in shape of dutiful, caring and successful children and better citizens. Be a gentle yet assertive mom. Instill discipline without being an authoritarian.
Celebrate yourself: be yourself. Allow some quality time for yourself. Be selfish sometime and indulge yourself. Start hobbies. Make friends. Develop a sense of humor.
Celebrate everyday: take every day as it comes. World will not stop if you worry.
Now some concrete tips. These tips are intended with busy mothers in mind. Instead of run of the mill advices like ‘planning’ and ‘prioritizing’, the author would like to offer some very practical tips.
- Don’t write tasks in a diary or on paper. Write on a whiteboard in BOLD RED letters.
- You are not born to please everybody. If you work for others at home or at work, they will take you for granted.
- Make your husband and kids take on certain tasks — making tea, chopping vegetables, setting the table, picking up dishes, watering plants, walking the dog – the list is limitless.
- Kitchen takes up a lot of time. There may be at least 200+ different items in the kitchen.
- In the kitchen and refrigerator, arrange all cereals, pulses, spices, sauces, and other food products in clear, transparent containers.
- Plan your pregnancies. More than one wailing child will eat up all your time, unless you a supermom.
- Technology can be a great timesaver. Invest (with due respect to your finances) in good quality, automatic, programmable washing machine, dishwasher, vacuum cleaner, food processor, oven, toaster, computer, etc. Pay bills online as far as possible.
- A neat and tidy home is an indication of a conscientious person. To the extent possible, reuse and recycle, but discard any useless items. Don't get too attached to anything. Be happy by donating or discarding old clothes, toys, books, furniture, and other items.
- Limit how much TV you watch. Rather, listen to relaxing music throughout the day.
How you manage you time with so many responsibilities?
Please share your tips, comments, suggestions with us, as always stay fit and healthy :-)