Fewer women are opting to stay home these days, and if you’re a single parent the act of juggling family care with holding down a job can seem an impossible feat. Any woman who manages to have a career and still gets dinner on the table at a reasonable hour is nothing less than a superhero.
Here are some key areas to focus on in order to be a supermum.
Be flexible If you don’t work for yourself, you’ll need to be as open and honest as possible with your company. Most modern employers will understand challenges you face and, when you may have problems, like for example when your child is ill or on school holidays. The key thing is, if you want them to be flexible with your working arrangements, then you need to be flexible right back. That could mean working late some evenings or at the weekends when deadlines are tight. If you’re lucky, you might be able to arrange doing some work from home. If you don’t ask, you’ll never know.
Get help You’re not the only one trying to keep lots of balls juggling in the air at once. Start a club with other mums in the office. Together, you can help pick up slack for each other when someone is out. You can share tips regarding good babysitters and after-school activities. A ‘mummy club’ is not only a great source of support but will also demonstrate your commitment to teamwork in the workplace. Is your company large enough to consider offering crèche facilities?
Know Your Limits Every mother wants to do it all – but sometimes you just can’t. Know your limits and don’t offer to take on more than you can handle. Asking for help is preferable to failing to meet a deadline, which will cause undue stress and could affect your chances of promotion.
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