1. Childcare Providers
The difference between a good and a bad child care provider makes a mile of a difference. Knowing that your child is well cared for is crucial to having peace of mind when you are at work. A quality daycare should have flexible hours, a low teacher-to-child ratio, a clean and spacious environment, and of course up-to-date licenses. For nannies, look for one with extensive experience and great references. Have at least one trial day to observe if it is a good fit and make all of your expectations clear from the get-go. Put in the time to find someone you trust, and it will save you time in the future. Even if you rely on nannies on an irregular basis, having an option to make time for yourself when needed can be a life saver.2. Communicate with your manager
Being a working mom does NOT mean you will be a less productive employee, and you should make that clear to employers who may discredit your contribution to the workplace. However, changes will definitely occur, and you should communicate boundaries with your manager. Especially if they aren’t a mom or a parent themselves, it’s important your manager understands you have priorities outside of the workplace.3. Outsource what you can
There are many ways you can make your life a little easier. Getting your groceries delivered already saves you at least half an hour, and probably more for you suburban moms without close contact to food stores. Take a subscription for products you have to repurchase regularly . And hey, splurge on that robot-vacuum cleaner if you’re feeling fancy - it’s worth the dime.4. Get good-quality toys for your kids
Here are more confessions of a shopaholic - when it comes to toys for your kids, it’s definitely quality over quantity. Buying your kids loads of cheap toys can provide a momentary distraction until your kids get bored of them, or the toy breaks without extensive usage. Cheap toys often also use toxic chemicals in the manufacturing process - hundreds of types of phthalate were found in a recent survey of kids toys, which can have harmful effects. Select carefully nice toys that will not be discarded after a few days. Consider educational toys that boost your kids' acquisition of fine motor skills and benefit their general development. You can rest easy knowing your kids are getting quality time to themselves, boosting their imagination - even when you aren’t around.5. Manage your time
Even as the queen of time management, a working mom often puts herself last and never schedules me time. It is essential you do so in order to keep your energy, your cool and your sense of humor around your kids. When you can, step away for a well deserved massage or drinks with your girlfriends to recharge your battery. At home, you can reduce time wasters such as passive screen-time for more interactive activities with your kids. Passive screen-time can adversely affect your kids' development, and there are plenty of fun activities out there for you to do as a family. The major takeaway is: if you don’t have time for yourself, you won’t be offering quality time for others.6. Surround yourself with support
As working moms, it’s easy to spend all your focus on your kids, then on your job, and leave little room for others or even yourself. If you have a spouse, lean on them for support. You are a team first and foremost, and need time for yourselves as much as you need time with your kids. Don’t let your children jeopardize your relationship with the person you love most! If you’re a single, working mom - hats off to you. Surround yourself with other working moms who understand you and can support you when you need them. P.S. If you haven’t got yourself a Jooki yet, you might want to consider getting one for your kids. As an educational toy and children’s audio player that sparks your kids’ imagination through interactive play, Jooki can keep them engaged and entertained while you get your work done. Once you’re done, you can join them later for a full family dance party. Create these happy family moments now with a Jooki bundle.