Motherhood is tough. And if you’re headed back to work after having kids, it presents a whole terrifying set of challenges. What happens if they suddenly fall ill? How are you going to cook, clean, run errands, spend time with your children, and wake up at 7AM to go to work the next day?
My mum went back to work after having my siblings and I, and it’s something that she’s managed with grace and a lot of elbow grease. It’s a tough job, but mums definitely get it done. Here are 5 tips working mums can use to keep their sanity.
Mums in the past didn’t have the tech we do now, so it’s a wonder how they managed. For new parents, there are plenty of apps in the market to help you out, like BabyConnect and Baby Bundle (iOS only). They help you to track medications, vaccinations, diaper changes, growth spurts, and feedings. It’s useful for when life gets hectic and you can’t remember which side the milk is supposed to come from this time.
Baby Bundle Source
And when it comes to juggling the activities and enrichment classes of your kids, Google Calendar might do the job, but there are also more sophisticated options like Cozi. Cozi allows you to synch everyone’s schedule, colour-code each family member, and also store grocery lists and such.
Raising kids is an expensive business, so it helps to figure out how you can save some cash.
Getting hand-me-downs from friends and relatives is always a good way of saving on clothes that your kids will outgrow in a month. You can also try shopping on online platforms like Carousell and Facebook parenting groups. You’ll find other mummies peddling their second-hand but good-as-new baby loot!
Facebook groups for “sprees” also allow parents to join forces and make bulk purchases at discounted rates. This means saving more on luxury items, like new toys or clothes, and set aside more money for your children’s university fund.
One of the most important things a mum needs is a good support system. It’s hard trying to juggle both motherhood and work responsibilities, so you always need people you can rely on. Aside from your partner, you’ve also got your extended family, friends, and colleagues to help you out when the going gets tough. Even just a listening ear comes in handy at times.
It also helps to connect with other mums, through online forums like MummySG and SingaporeMotherhood or parenting support groups on Facebook. Trade stories and advice with other parents – it goes a long way in assuring you that you’re not the only one rushing through life like a maniac.
If you plan on using a childcare centre, start looking early. Make appointments to visit ones near your home, and see if their lesson plans work for you and your family. Many childcare centres have long waiting lists, so it’s important to ‘chope’ your place as soon as you can.
Additionally, talk to your employer about procedures for emergency leave and childcare leave. You never know when you’ll have to leave the office unexpectedly because of baby duties.
This could very well be the calm before the storm Source
For the busy working mother, 24 hours in a day is not enough, and getting a full night of sleep can be an impossible challenge sometimes. If you’re a mum yourself, you know that the last thing any tired parent wants to do is battle with the crowds to get much-needed sustenance or refresh their vomit-stained wardrobe.
This is where online shopping swoops in like Superman to save the day. Sites like Honestbee and Redmart allow you to do your grocery shopping from your desk during lunch break, and online retailers like Zalora help you pull together an outfit for that important company dinner from the comfort of your own home.
And if you regularly use PayPal, they’ve recently released their new PayPal One Touch feature that makes your life so much easier.
When you go online shopping, there’s always a concern that your details might be stolen by hackers for nefarious purposes, but fear not. With services like PayPal, you won’t have to worry about identity theft or scams because your login details are always encrypted, and you’re protected by their world-class fraud protection.
And if online shopping is how you use your time more efficiently, the new PayPal One Touch lets you make payments swifter than a kiasu auntie going after the last item at a sale.
Opt to stay logged in to PayPal across all eligible websites
You’ll automatically activate ‘One Touch’ on the same device browser
All you need now is a single click to make payments via PayPal across all the different merchants!
With PayPal One Touch, you can choose to stay logged in on your phone, tablet, or computer for up to 6 months. You’re always ready to checkout faster at your favorite sites without having to key in your details multiple times across sites when you’re on an online shopping spree. All you have to do is click away.
It’s safe, secure, and you can also turn it off at any time you like!
This saves you both time and effort – useful when you’ve got one arm full of fussy infant, and a toddler badgering you for another biscuit in the other.
Plus, in the event you’ve got some issues with your purchase, PayPal’s Buyer Protection has got your back. If you receive your item in shoddy condition, or the seller didn’t fulfil the order properly; PayPal promises to reimburse you for the full cost, along with up to USD15 of the shipping costs.
Throw your online shopping woes to the wind and shop away!
It’s not easy being a mum, but armed with patience, resilience and a willingness to compromise, you’ll be able to find a rhythm as a working mum that’s great for you and your friends.
Work out a chore chart at home to get your kids to help out around the house. Let the iPad play babysitter so that you can finish your report on time. Close one eye if there’s dust gathering on the TV console if you’ve got no time to vacuum. You go, mum.
Supermum Bella Koh counts PayPal among the mobile apps she can’t live without!
This post is brought to you by PayPal.
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