Working Mothers

1. Look for a supportive employer and workplace. Before you accept the job, ask if your new employer will permit you to be off with your sick children. Some employers permit flexible hours or job sharing where two women share the same job but each works only 20 hours per week.

2. Avoid fatigue. Get plenty of sleep. Eat a well balanced diet and take vitamins. Make sure you have a time of peace to rejuvenate and relax. Relaxation is essential. You cannot take care of your relationships with your spouse and your friends.

3. Enlist the support of your spouse, parents, or significant other. Child rearing is a full time job in itself. If you also work outside the home, you cannot do both by yourself. Ask for help at bath time, mealtime and homework time.

4. Spend quality time with your children. Make use of time in the car by initiating conversation or playing games. Work together as a family keeping the house clean or working on the farm. Once a month take each child on a special outing. Do things which both your child and you enjoy doing together. Spend one night a week as a family night. Have pizza and watch a movie or play games. Have supper together. Make this a pleasant family time-No T.V. and No Fighting. Arrange time to go on field trips or school outings. Each night, after you say prayers with your children tell them about one of their endearing qualities.

WATCH OUT FOR GUILT!

You cannot do everything by yourself. Do not compare yourself with other stay at home mothers. Investigate childcare options until you are comfortable with your choice. Understand that it is normal for your child to fall apart when first left at childcare. Do not reconsider a career decision when this happens a few weeks. This will get better within a few weeks. Remember there is no such thing as Super mom.