Bonjour lecteurs! Half-Term is officially over for us! Hurrah! I feel really bad to be so ecstatic that Baba is back to the nursery. But, I made the same mistake yet again… ‘Oui, oui! I will look after him while working! Pas de problème!’ Argh! The Work-Life Balance of a Mum Working from Home has been tough once more…
Working From Home With Kids
A bit less than 2 years ago, I decided to leave my job as a teacher in a secondary school because I wanted to become a freelancer.
Being self-employed seemed like the right idée for me at the time.
I wanted to spend as much quality time with my toddler while working my own hours!
Easy said and not so easily done. Many people might think that I am lucky to do this job. After all, I am my own boss and I do what projects I want. But being a freelancer is a constant game at trying to find the right Work-Life Balance…
Freelance & Half-Terms Are Fun!
While I block times and I know when I need to switch off the laptop at certain times in the term time, half-terms are clearly another story.
I always find myself guilty to make Baba watch some cartoons. Résultat? I always end up planning on many adventures for him to keep busy in the day time and I work late at night or super early in the morning.
It always feels like a rush; I am stressed, and I feel overworked… So, to avoid a feeling of burnout, I have some strategies in place.
Those ideas to have a good work-life balance as a freelancer might have been a bit out of the window last week, but I am back on track with them now!
Self-employed or not, all mums can find balance in all areas and achieve a healthy work-life balance.
Take Some Time To Exercise
Whatever you do with the children, take at least 20 minutes for yourself to exercise. It really helps to clear your mind.
Personally, I like to do it in the morning so that I am in a better mood (thanks endorphins!). If I miss my morning run, I can feel frustrated and I get grumpy!
You don’t have to be Sporty Woman! Go for a quick walk or go on a bike and get some fresh air. You can even do a quick 10 minute exercise video on YouTube.
Mums tend to sacrifice themselves, but you can have that little time for yourself. Even if you put the kids in front of the cartoons, it will not warm them!
Meditation
I was very sceptical about meditation at first, but I downloaded a free app (there are many available) and I am now totally convinced! I try to meditate at least 10 minutes a day.
As soon as Baba is out or I have the house to myself for some peace, I go upstairs, put a candle on and meditate.
My mind is then at peace and I physically feel lighter. Some think it is stupid but if you build this habit, you will find yourself calmer.
And in stressful situations, I actually find myself more relaxed than in the past. I don’t freak out or excessively worry as I used to!
The Importance of Sleep
Whatever deadlines I have on Instagram, as soon as I am in bed, I put my phone on flight mode.
This means I don’t hear any notifications to disturb my sleep. And I read. Ideally, half an hour before bedtime, but if I am tired I will only last 10 minutes 🙂 It doesn’t matter.
Adding in your phone’s artificial blue light right before bed disrupts your body’s internal clock and rhythm. It has been proven. So no social media for me past a certain time.
I get tucked in my bed and when I am tired, it is sleepy time. And with my very own pillow (it evenly distributes weight and pressure so that I am 100% comfy), I manage to have a good sleep night.
Gratitude List
I know that talking about that sounds like a cliché, but it is so true! I don’t know about you but if I lack sleep, I get grumpy and snappy! Plus, I am less productive!
So if you don’t sleep well, maybe it is time to invest in a new mattress or a new pillow? Some brands today have some great technology so that we get the best out of it!
And to have the mind totally at peace before night time, I write 3 things I am grateful for each day. It really makes me think of the good things in my day and I go to bed less stressed and happier.
After all, a happy mind makes a huge difference!
And The Rest!
Let’s not forget a good diet! I know that I have been a bit off with this one recently. We ate out quite a bit and I can already feel less energised.
To make sure I have a balanced diet, I make the point to have at least 3 pieces of fruit before lunch. So, I will make a fresh grape juice with my coffee and I will have a kiwi for breakfast.
And if I am peckish after my morning workout, I will go for a banana so that I feel full and I don’t crave chocolate or sweets.
Listen To Your Body
Lastly, I must say that in order to achieve a good Work-Life Balance as a Mum Working from Home, you must not be too harsh on yourself!
If your body tells you to stop, take a day off if you can. I recently tested out having a day a week where I don’t turn the laptop on at all.
And it was so refreshing! Not only did I actually spent some proper quality time with Baba and truly enjoyed it, but I was also more productive when I got back to work the day after!
I know that we live in une société where we are made to feel like we need to keep busy at all times to be successful.
But a slower life or a break is always more beneficial!
You need to stop to start again fresh and feel inspired!
Work-Life Balance à la Frenchie!
So here are my strategies to get a good Work-Life Balance. I have tested new ways to find some peace, as I am naturally a worrier. I must say that I feel so much better since using all of these tips in my daily life.
And quite frankly, there are times when I forget about these. If you are a mum and sometimes feel stressed, you can try some of these.
It is not about getting it right straight away. Just experiment with one or two and be as consistent as you can. And when it is not happening, so be it! No need to stress. At least you are making some changes to find a better Work-Life Balance and you will build on these good habits.
What do you like to do to relax when you feel that your work-life balance is going out of the window? Have you tried any of the ideas listed in this post? What works for you and what is a massive no-no?
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post with TEMPUR®. With thanks for sending us a pillow to test too!
You certainly manage to balance time really well – will take a few tips out of this too
A very interesting blog post. You seem to be managing very well, which is as I would expect
I think you do great and can I say you are looking really glam
LISTEN TO YOUR BODY! fuch simple advice but so true!
One of the (free) apps I use to help feel less stressed is Headspace. It has lots of short sessions you can listen to and they are really useful.
Really interesting blog post, sleep is so important but one of the first things we compromise on
So hard trying to be Super Mum, Super House Wife, Super Career, Super Friend trying to juggle all those balls at once. Like you when my kids were young , when I was in my 20’s I was self employed, looking after 2 kids, a dog and hubby and house, and running two businesses! Eventually you get burn out and pay the price, so important to look after yourself. Also when you work from home, not like leaving the office at 5pm and switch off, always working!
You are so busy, I think you are handling it really well!
such great tips! Life is so hectic for us all isn’t it so I think everyone can benefit from these ideas.
An interesting read. You seem to manage your time really well.
You have some great advice that seems so obvious and yet sometimes people just forget. I wish mums didn’t feel so guilty about taking care of themselves
I would recommend using the Headspace app for evenings to help relax
Some great tips, sounds like the recipe for a happy life ?
The gratitude list is a nice idea, might have a go at this, i need more positivity in my life
it’s great to always fit something in for yourself, whether it be eating properly or that extra ten mins sleep! it all adds up!
It’s so hard i’m currently trying to figure out what i can do from home after recently leaving my nursing job, x
An interesting blog. I think I might download one of the meditation apps.
I’ve definitely had to start trying some of these on the last few months. With being pregnant, working as a waitress and going back to college it’s been a tough few months on my body.
A very sensible and helpful post. I worked from home for a large company so everything I did was monitored but it helped my health enormously. Meditation and gratitudes are a wonderful way to calm your mind.
Nice article, I dont work from home , just a full time mummy but I really enjoy quality time with my boy Charlie 3 I rarely get a break only nursery atm which is 12.35 until 3.05 when both my children are home , but I would probably miss our time together to be honest I’ll be sad when he gets older I’m trying to make the most of it ?
Great advice 🙂
Nice read!
I gave up work after having my third child last year. It was just becoming a logistical nightmare with a breast feeding baby, one in playschool and my eldest in a special needs school. He has Autism and didn’t cope on school transport so I now take him myself. We go in later as he likes to make sure all the school buses have gone ? and I pick him up early to avoid too many children around. I plan to go back to work next year, no idea what in going to do! I was a hairdresser for 7 years, then a medical secretary for 10. I’m looking forward to it, I think! ?
Very interesting it’s something for me to think about
I would love to find time to try some of these things
This is such a useful post, thank you for all your tips. its so hard being a working parent especially when you are working from home, i always feel so guilty if I work more than I spend time with my kids or if I do spend lots of time with my kids and I dont work enough! I will be taking on some of these tips especially meditation Ive always been sceptical but will give it a try! xx
I have been looking for the like button on this page but I can not find it so I have shared it instead for a blog competition request.
You do well making sure you stay off social media after a certain time, I have tried & failed numerous times now!
I am going to start writing 3 things I am grateful for each day, I think it’s a nice way to help relax too.
You do fit an awful lot in a very mum indeed.
You seem to have it all sorted – keep up the great work
I take my hat off to you working and being fulltime mummy is hard work ?
An interesting read 🙂 Well done to you for being a hard working mum and balancing home life so beautifully! I’m a mum to a 1 year old and work part time, with a partner who works full time nights and I genuinely do struggle.
I will definitely be trying some of these out x
Some great ideas here. I find yoga really helpful too!
I struggle with the balance of minimal work in the holidays and with switching off at night. Some great tips 🙂