As your maternity leave winds down, you’re undoubtedly thinking of going back to work. This is a personal decision that fills many mothers with anxiety, and, at times, guilt. But you don’t have to choose between work and family. Your fulfillment as a woman can make you a better mother and also make your family stronger. That ideal work life balance as a working mum is possible — with smart life choices and the right support.

It’s a daunting task, but juggling work and motherhood can be made simpler with these tips:

How to Achieve Work Life Balance as a Working Mum

Technology can aid you in achieving work life balance.

Trust the Tech

Between work, childcare, house chores, picking up your child from school, cooking, and all the 101 tasks in your day, what’s a busy working mum to do? Used in the right way, technology is a tool that can make your life easier, help you achieve work life balance, and enrich your relationships.

Your smartphone can help you manage both work and home life. With it, you can check on family calendars, reminders or work emails even when on the go! Setting up reminders in your phone will help you organise your work and home schedule so you can always stay on top of things. You can even stay in touch with family using video calls so that your child can see and hear you when you’re not there.
Work life balance is easier when you work as a team with your partner.

Rely on Your Husband to Help with Work Life Balance

Always remember: You are not alone. Parenthood is easier when you’ve got a great partner that shares the load with you.

When your child is still a baby, take turns with your husband to tend to the child through the night so you can get some much needed rest too. Find a schedule and a way to divide housekeeping chores that works for both of you. Seek help from other family members if needed, hire a nanny, or find childcare in your neighbourhood. Finally, remember to support each other emotionally as well. Parenting is rarely easy, but if you tackle problems together and share both your joys and your hardships, nothing can stop the two of you.

Better yet, get the support of all your loved ones: grandparents, sisters, friends, neighbours. It takes a village to raise a child, as the saying goes, and your child’s life will be richer with the entire village.
Time management is key to work life balance.

Prioritise Your Time

You are understandably busy and must learn that it’s okay to say ‘no’ to extra activities that would delay your schedule. All of us have a limited number of hours each day, and as a working mum, you need to prioritise to make sure you get that work life balance right. There is no shame in saying no to overtime work or insisting that meetings start and end on time. Also, don’t forget to devote some time to yourself to rest and recharge. Your family and your work both demand the best from you, and you cannot give that to either if you don’t give time to yourself first.
Taking care of yourself is important when you’re a working mum.

Don’t Skip On the Daily Musts

Always be present in your child’s life by making sure that certain routines with the family are not skipped, such as breakfast and bedtime. Create these special moments and think of them as “daily musts” — never to be missed! These moments can be as simple as a bedtime story or dinner spent sharing what happened to each of you during the day. While it’s important that you spend a certain quantity of time with your family, regular “quality time” together will help you to achieve that work life balance you’re striving for.
Don’t forget to enjoy the little things when you’re a working mum.

It’s The Little Things

Sometimes the small things are what matters most, such as weekend family hangouts, playtime, and even bath time! Cherish each of these little things as the kids will grow up all too soon. You may always be busy, but try to be present in the moment. Be there to kiss those boo-boos, praise those artworks, and engage in the occasional tickle fight. Likewise, at the office, claim your workplace victories when you can and revel in your personal growth and achievements.

Work life balance isn’t an impossible dream. It can be attained with hard work, planning and support from the ones you love.

Get the support you need as a working mother! Find more tips on nutrition and parenting when you join the Enfamama A+ Club.