Being a mom and holding a job is a tough act. Here are a few tips to help :

Fulfilling the role of “mom” while holding down a job can be dizzying. But with a little planning and family co-operation, moms can make routine tasks easier, get family members involved and reduce everyone’s stress level. Try out these.

Teach clean up
Do you clean up toys, hang up coats, stow shoes and make beds? Then stop it right now. These are things even three-year-olds can do. When you come home, ask everyone to hang up their coats and put away their gloves. Resist the urge to fix or fold after they are done. After all, they’re learning and helping, so don’t discourage them.

Delegate chores
Ask your kids and spouse to help you. At mealtimes, small children can set the table, older ones can serve drinks and everyone can help bring plates to the table. Teach kids to clear the table and load the dishwasher. Grant points as rewards to show your kids how much you appreciate their help.

Plan your morning
Mornings will go more smoothly if you do some things the night before: Pack lunches, lay out clothes, ensure that the homework is done and check the calendar for after-school plans. Teach kids to get themselves ready in the morning by putting up a wall chart that lists “brush teeth”, “make bed”, “get dressed” and “eat breakfast”.

Schedule quiet time
Have each family member spend five or 10 minutes alone when everyone gets home. This gives time to regroup before dinner.

Plan a work schedule
Don’t let work pressures eat into your family time. Co-operate with your spouse to make sure you’re prepared if one of you must work late. This way, your family will know certain days are family dinner days or one-parent nights and they will learn to cherish those times together.

Plan meals ahead
Make only one shopping trip per week to buy ingredients. Get a cookbook that contains easy-to-prepare recipes. Keep lasagnas or other one-dish meals in the freezer for nights when you don’t feel like cooking. Have the kids make dinner one night a week if they are old enough.

Schedule quality family time
Strive to have a family dinner as frequently as possible. Plan a family movie night once a week. Plan a group outing for the weekend.

Make time for yourself
Moms tend to put themselves last on the list but regenerating your inner strength will go a long way towards giving you the energy you need to be a mom.

So take care of yourself: Go to the gym, visit a museum, meet a friend for coffee, join a book club or work on your hobby. Make a deal with your spouse allowing each of you one night a week to do your own thing.

Get a babysitter once every two weeks or whatever is feasible and go out together. It doesn’t have to be fancy. Even a trip to the bookstore will help the two of you remember what it’s like to be an adult together.

Source: The Telegraph (Kolkata, India)