As a UK mum, life can be a balancing act between work and family. You want to do your best for your kids and also make sure you’re taking care of yourself, but it can be hard to find the time to do both. We’ve put together some top tips to help you make the most of your time and stay positive as a busy mum.
1. Improve Your Mental Wellbeing
According to a 2020 survey, nearly three quarters (71%) of UK mums report feeling overwhelmed by their day-to-day responsibilities, and almost half (45%) say they don’t have enough time for themselves. It’s important to make sure you’re taking time for yourself and looking after your mental wellbeing. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep, eating a balanced diet, and taking time to relax and unwind. You could also try yoga or mindfulness to help you stay positive and de-stress.
2. Balance Work and Family
Juggling work and family responsibilities can be a challenge for working mums. To make things easier, try to plan ahead and set aside time to focus on your work. Planning ahead for family activities and taking time out for yourself will also help you stay productive and focused.
As Stephen R. Covey, author of the best-selling book ‘The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People’, said, “The key is in not spending time, but in investing it.” Working mums need to be particularly mindful of this, making sure they’re taking time to focus on their work and plan ahead for family activities. Don’t forget to take time out for yourself too – it will help you stay balanced and productive.
3. Meal Planning
Meal planning can be a great way to save time and make sure you’re eating a balanced diet. To get ideas, try checking out cookbooks like ‘The Mom 100 Cookbook’ by Katie Workman or ‘The Clean Eating Slow Cooker’ by Rockridge Press. Both books provide plenty of recipes for busy mums, with tips on how to save time in the kitchen. Make a list of meals for the week ahead and shop for all the ingredients in one go. This will save you time and help you plan ahead for busy days. With meal planning, you can make sure you’re eating a balanced diet and making the most of your time.
4. Stay Positive
As Shakti Gawain said in her book ‘The Power of Positive Thinking’, “The greatest gift you can give yourself is a little bit of your own attention.” As a busy mum, it’s important to make sure you’re taking time out to enjoy the little things. Spend time with your kids, get out in nature, and try to stay positive no matter what. By taking time for yourself and staying positive, you can make sure you’re making the most of your time as a busy mum.
5. Time-Saving Tips
Time is precious, so make sure you’re making the most of it. Get organised and plan ahead, delegate tasks to family members, and try to make the most of your time. You could also try batch cooking and meal prepping to save time in the kitchen.
You can find time-saving tips and advice from the Mothers Who Work Club which offers support and resources for working mums in the UK. Here are some of the time-saving tips they recommend:
• Make a to-do list and prioritise tasks – this will help you stay organised and focused.
• Ask for help – don’t be afraid to delegate tasks to family members and friends.
• Try batch cooking and meal prepping – this will save you time and energy in the kitchen.
• Make use of technology – use apps to help you save time, such as a meal planning app or grocery delivery service.
• Schedule regular breaks – taking breaks throughout the day will help you stay productive and focused.
By following these tips, you can make sure you’re making the most of your time and staying productive as a busy UK mum.
6. Find Time for Yourself
It can be hard to find time for yourself, but it’s important to make sure you’re taking care of yourself too. Make sure you’re taking time out to relax, doing something you enjoy, and taking care of your mental health.
7. Stress Management
Stress is a normal part of parenting, but it’s important to make sure you’re managing it effectively. Make sure you’re taking time to relax, get enough sleep, and eat a balanced diet. You could also try talking to someone about your worries to help you stay positive.
8. Connect With Your Kids
As a busy mum, it can be hard to spend quality time with your kids. Make sure you’re taking time out of your day to connect with them. Spend time doing activities together, listen to their worries, and make sure you’re taking time out to enjoy their company.
9. Manage Mum Guilt
Mum guilt can be a real struggle, and it’s important to make sure you’re managing it effectively. Remind yourself that you’re doing your best and talk to someone if you’re feeling overwhelmed.
10. Self-Care Habits
It’s important to make sure you’re taking care of yourself as a mum. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep, eating a balanced diet, and taking time to relax. Make sure you’re taking time out of your day to do something you enjoy and make sure you’re taking time out to look after yourself.
Being a busy mum can be tough, but with these tips, you can make sure you’re taking care of yourself and making the most of your time. Make sure you’re taking time to relax, planning ahead, and finding time for yourself. By taking care of yourself and your mental wellbeing, you can make sure you’re making the most of your time as a busy UK mum.
