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Work Life Balance and Being a Mompreneur
Words Jadesola Oginni
Juggling the responsibility of being a mother and having a new-born baby can be difficult not to talk about being a Mompreneur also. However, there are many ways that you can provide a balance to help with your wellbeing. It might be exciting to go back to work after such a long time however, it can also be daunting too. Diabetic Specialist Midwife, Jadesola Oginni explains how mothers are able to maintain a work-life balance after having a baby.
Family and friends & support groups
You need a whole community to raise a child, and it’s so important for you to have ongoing healthy relationships with people that can help you during this time. It can be hard to maintain relationships once you’ve had your baby, try and make time for the people that you love and can trust to help with babysitting, dinner’s out and meaningful phone conversations. A support group of mothers and parents is a good way to share advice, discuss emotions and most importantly build a support network. Neiman (2016), suggested that new mothers are able to develop and strengthen relationships amongst their family members and their peers. This improves their social well-being and mental health is very important.
Have a weekly review
A weekly update with yourself as an entrepreneur is useful when starting back work, this review can help review and alleviate any issues you may be experiencing. Such a simple task has such a powerful outcome because you are breaking down tasks into writing and visualising a plan for the week to come, this can be broken down into short and long-term goals. This can be as simple as splitting your break in two sections, having set times to exclusively pump or restructuring your working hours.
Don’t neglect your mental health
It’s important to look after your mental health most especially after having your baby, your hormones fluctuate. Statistics suggest that one in 10 women become depressed in the first year after having a baby (NHS, 2020).
If you think you have postnatal depression, please seek support and don’t struggle alone. This is not an indication that you are a bad mother and early intervention is important. Here are three steps to take if you feel low in mood:
1. Take time to rest, give yourself time off
2. Accept help from family and friends and ask for help
3. Go out and see friends with or without baby
Healthy eating
I know your focus is on feeding your new-born, but you should also make eating a priority. Evidence suggests that what we eat affects the way we feel as human beings. Improving your diet can help improve your mood and provide more energy as you begin to work and transition into motherhood. For breastfeeding mother’s you require a higher need for calories, energy and nutrients while breastfeeding. A healthy diet includes starch, protein, dairy, fluids and at least five portions of fruit and vegetables.
Childcare
The moment you’re happy and relaxed about your baby’s childcare you feel more relaxed about returning back to work. Childcare options include childminders who are self-employed but usually take care of children within their own homes, they should be registered with Ofsted in the United Kingdom, England. Day nurseries are great if you work during the day and require a facility that cares for babies right before school, mostly run by private charities. If you are working for an institution, please speak to your employer as some institutions have day care services for their workers, this can help with flexibility whilst at work. Don’t forget family such as grandmothers’ sisters and cousins who can help look after the baby whilst you and your partner or friends go out to let your hair down.
Flexibility
You might want to consider flexible working to help improve your work life-balance after having your baby. This may include job sharing with another individual within your team who understands your new lifestyle and is flexible. Home working is an option especially during the COVID-19 period. Part-time working and staggering hours for the first few months to a year and more can also improve your work-life balance. If you are working for an employer, you can also request flexible working. You need to have worked for your employer for at least 26 weeks (this includes maternity leave). For more information research flexibility and work on the Money Advice Service website.
Exercise
If you feel fit and well you can start exercising to keep fit, energetic and to boost your mood. As a new mum, you need to allocate time to be active. Why not join a postnatal exercise class with your new-born by your side? This will allow you to bond with the baby and strengthen your muscles as you get in shape. If there’s no time for this, you can also include pushing your pram briskly, walking up and down the stairs or even Zumba in between clients.
Key tips
1. Know your rights.
2. Stop feeling guilty, you’re a great mother.
3. Look after yourself.
4. Take your time to adjust.
5. Look at childcare early
6. Get glam once in a while.
7. Make work, work for you.
8. Make regular reviews.
9. Stay in touch with loved ones.
10. Be kind to yourself.
