Training-Consultant Mom says:
For more than 30 years, number of working mothers have grown tremendously. It is no wonder we are called WONDER WOMEN!!!! Not only do we have to manage our household, more importantly, we have to manage our children. Mothers will agree that the latter is already a full time responsibility! But we need additional income, right? When we have our own career and money it gives us a sense of fullfillment and independence.
How do we manage to juggle all these without feeling guilty and be branded that we chose Career over Family? Here are some of the things I used to do when I was still a working mother:
The Children, make every moment with them "quality time"
Weekdays at Home.
We were "blessed" with only one car in our early years of marriage until the 2 girls reached middle school. My husband and I would bring them to school before going to our respective offices in Makati. Since we were staying in upper Antipolo at that time and the girls' school is in Katipunan, we had a good 20-30 minutes of "talk time" with them.
When we got our second car (& hired a driver), the ritual remained the same only this time at the breakfast table. By the time my husband and I leave for the office, the girls are just about to get dressed for school.
By the time we got home from work, the girls have had dinner and and assignments are done. The girls stay with us at the dinner table while my husband and I are taking our dinner. That is another good bonding time with them before they go to bed.
How do we manage to juggle all these without feeling guilty and be branded that we chose Career over Family? Here are some of the things I used to do when I was still a working mother:
The Children, make every moment with them "quality time"
Weekdays at Home.
We were "blessed" with only one car in our early years of marriage until the 2 girls reached middle school. My husband and I would bring them to school before going to our respective offices in Makati. Since we were staying in upper Antipolo at that time and the girls' school is in Katipunan, we had a good 20-30 minutes of "talk time" with them.
When we got our second car (& hired a driver), the ritual remained the same only this time at the breakfast table. By the time my husband and I leave for the office, the girls are just about to get dressed for school.
By the time we got home from work, the girls have had dinner and and assignments are done. The girls stay with us at the dinner table while my husband and I are taking our dinner. That is another good bonding time with them before they go to bed.
While in the Workplace
Be familiar with their schedules (start of class, dismissal, school/bus service, etc.)
Thank God for telephones, cellphones and computers!
Be familiar with their schedules (start of class, dismissal, school/bus service, etc.)
Thank God for telephones, cellphones and computers!
When you get to the office as early as I do (between 6 and 6:15 am), you can call up your children knowing that classes haven't started yet so they are still able to use their cellphones.
My husband and I made it a rule with the girls that they should text us the minute they are settled in the bus or car and to call either one of us in the office the minute they get home. Not only are we concerned with their safety but it also tells us that we can call them.
Familiarizing ourselves with the schedule of the children gives us a chance to schedule work, too. Our appointment books, desk calendars or "to do" list can include Children Time. I put the names of my girls on my appointment book at a particular time. This way, I am always reminded even if I am out of the office or out of town. Cellphone reminders work well, too.
Tell your children to call you (or your husband) in the office if they need to talk to you. Companies are understanding when it comes to families.
Weekends
If you are off on the weekends, then I believe that these should always be set aside as family days. But if you work on weekends, it will be good if you can make arrangements so your family can join you during your lunch break. Your husband can then take this opportunity to 'bond' with your kids by bringing them to the mall, park, library or theater near your workplace & go back to pick you up after.
If you are off on the weekends, then I believe that these should always be set aside as family days. But if you work on weekends, it will be good if you can make arrangements so your family can join you during your lunch break. Your husband can then take this opportunity to 'bond' with your kids by bringing them to the mall, park, library or theater near your workplace & go back to pick you up after.
