Three tips for the working stay at home moms(WSAHM)!

We all know what a "stay at mom" is and also what an "work outside the home mom" is! But when you combine the two you get what I call- The Working Stay at Home Mom or WSAHM! So let's define her, she typically works from home but does so while working around the needs of her children. This means that she is not only one of the financial contributors in the home but she is also responsible for dealing with anything with the children. She is responsible for making meals, nursing the kids while sick, dropping them at their activities and also dealing with calls from school. She is the super mom! Typically this kind of mom is awesome at what she does because she has some super multi-tasking skills that others only dream of. BUT, there are challenges for her! She is most likely stressed from both ends- home life and work life. As a working stay at home mom myself, I can relate! So here are some things I have done over the years to help me keep my sanity and deal with all the demands of this highly important title- WSAHM!

Tip # 1: Know You are Successful!

One of the biggest things that I struggle with as a WSAHM is that sometimes it plays with my head. I am constantly asking myself: am I successful at what I am doing? Am I a good mom? Am I a good worker? The guilt of not being able to truly commit 100% to one or the other really plays with your mental health. But I am here to tell you that if you are a WSAHM, you are already successful because not many people can attempt to do what you do! Not many people I know can nurse a baby on one side and use the other side to type a work email. Or have dinner ready for when your husband or partner comes home and still slay that office report on time! So give yourself a pat on the back everyday and tell yourself- I AM SUCCESSFUL!

 Tip # 2:  Know that You are Valuable!

As a WSAHM, I often wonder, am I valuable? Is what I am doing trying to be a mom and trying to be a working woman really valued by my kids, my partner or my colleagues? The question as to whether my worth  as a human being and as a woman is not always valued and appreciated by those around me.  You make it look so easy that your kids and your partner always thinks it is in fact easy. They don't always see the struggle or understand the struggle enough to show you how valuable you are to them. So today tell yourself- I AM VALUABLE!

Tip # 3:  Know when to take a break!

Taking a break is a hard one for me as a WSAHM! You have so much to do and such little time to do it that taking a break does not seem productive. As a mom in general, we often neglect our needs and tend to focus on the needs of others. It is noble but it is also detrimental to your mental health.  A good WSAHM knows when to just take a pause from everything and focus on herself. It doesn't even have to be a really long break, it could just be as simple as dropping the kids at school and going to get your nails done. Or taking a break from work to curl up on the couch and watch one of your favourite tv shows. It doesn't matter how you decide to take a break, what matters is that YOU TAKE A BREAK!

About the author!

Dahlia Drummond has been a WSAHM for over 20 years focusing on small business support. She is married with four kids ranging from age 24 to 4 years old. Her passion for helping others has been the key to managing life and helping others grow and find their passion in life. If you are a WSAHM as well, she would like to hear from you. You can write her at dahlia@kmrenterprises.ca