Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Learning to Juggle Work and Home


As Salaamu Alaikum and good morning, this day is all about supporting the woman with two jobs! That's right the "Working Mom and Wife". if you fall under this category odds are you are at work right now on my end of the world or coming in from work and your work day is beginning again. So this day I have devoted to trying to help you juggle it all just a little easier. I too am a working mom who works from home and my children are home all day with me because I home school. (Scream). I know and understand all the pressures that come with it. So ladies this day is for you, I doubt that you will have a ton of time to sit down and read but catch as much as you can. And May Allah reward you for all you do. Ameen



LEARNING HOW TO JUGGLE!

Feeling a little stressed? Struggling to keep all the balls in the air? You're certainly in good company. Studies have shown that the majority of mothers who work outside the home experience a chronic time crunch: there simply aren't enough hours in the day to accomplish everything that needs to be done. You have to cook, clean, make husband feel comfortable, nurture the children, keep up with your Ibaadat, perform on the job, and somehow find time to take care of yourself. Don't be afraid! Because i like you are in this same situation, I have done some research on this issue and found some amazing tips that I would like share. Please stay with me as I try to quickly share these tips, as school is back in session today and I am on double duty. 


SET REASONABLE WORKING HOURS AND STICK TO THEM

Swim against the tide of our workaholic culture and insist on taking time for yourself and your family. Don't let anyone make you feel guilty for turning off your phone or walking away from your computer for a while. Everyone has the right to a personal life, regardless of how much they get paid or which rung they're clinging to on the corporate ladder. 

Here's the deal I am trying to start my own business while running a household and all the things that come with it. I am having the problem of constantly having to be on the computer for research or answering my phone for some reason or another. It causes so much stress and the headache I receive from the eyes at home is more than I can handle. This tip is so vital, turn off the computer, silence your phone, and don't respond to text! Make time for family and stick to it, separate it as much as you can especially if you work from home set hours to work and hours for home.
FIND A JOB YOU LOVE

If you're going to do something 2,000 or more hours a year (and, frankly, you'll be putting in many more hours than that if you're self-employed or on the career fast-track!), you might as well make sure that it's something you enjoy. If you're not crazy about your current job or your present career path, there's no time like the present to start planning your great escape.

And when you're coming up with a list of criteria for your "dream job," make sure that you've put "family-friendly"" right at the top of the list. You want to work for a company that considers its employees and their families to be one of its greatest assets.

WORK WITH PEOPLE YOU LIKE AND RESPECT

There's nothing more poisonous to a working environment than having to work with a person you don't like. If you're saddled with the boss-from-you-know-where or a co-worker who just plain gets on your nerves, you might want to think about exiting stage left at the first opportunity.

I understand this isn't easy, but we don't need that extra stress and this is why I decided to become self employed. As wives and moms we have so much we have to do already so the added stress of dealing with unpleasant people isn't really something we need. However if you are unable to just leave a job then, I would recommend making lots of dua and trying your best to avoid negativity.

PUT YOUR SUPPORT TEAM IN PLACE
whether you turn to family members, friends, or coworkers for support is unimportant. What matters is there's someone waiting to cheer you on when you find yourself having a certifiably horrible day. And don't be afraid to wave the white flag and ask family members to pitch in with household tasks at home:( remember from yesterday get the family involved). 


TAKE CARE OF YOU



Take care of your own needs rather than counting on someone else to take care of them for you. No matter how great your boss, your husband and your kids may be, it's your job to take care of yourself. This is one job you simply can't delegate.  





This last tip is one strictly from me and it is the ultimate piece of advice, it has helped me through it all and it continues to do so... 

Keep Allah and Islam the core focus of your life. Read Quran often, make extra fast, and be sure to keep your families upon Quran and Sunnah.





Sisters, being a working mom whether you work from home, are self employed or work outside of the home, can be stressful and it will get tough, just as staying home does. Keep in mind that you are not alone and reach out to others when you 
need help. Keep your sense of humor. It's the ultimate weapon against the craziness around you. Things will go wrong, you may be too tired one night and burn the dinner, the kids may have a crappy art project because you just couldn't put the phone down at that time. All of this is to be expected we aren't super moms, we are just MOM! You can find more tips and advices for the working mom, from new trends in the office, recent job postings, monthly pre-made menus with shopping list, baby sitters checklist all to way to the most suitable positions for working moms coming soon to  www.epitomeofawoman.com 

Please check the blog for some delicious and quick recipes for the busy working mom