Hey mamas! We know the feeling of a working mum guilt – the nagging feeling that you are not spending enough time with your children. Mum guilt is real and sometimes we feel like throwing the letter at work for the balancing act of a full-time job and childcare is too difficult to master. However, often, the logical side of us will pull us back – for dreams, for ambitions, for self-identity, for finances – there are tons of other reasons that are just as important for us to keep our jobs.
If you are a working mom, we've got some suggestions to help you bond with your children and make the most of your time with them.
1. Be attentive to your child
Our children will be more willing to share their opinions with us if we actively listen and engage them. Listening attentively to them (even if they are incoherent) conveys the message that their words matter, and they have someone who respects them. This goes a long way in building trust in the relationship and down the road, your child will always turn to you, knowing you will be there for them.
2. Dedicate time in your schedule for your child
Having a child is a commitment. There is time for work and there should be time for family. Be it 30 minutes or 1 hour after work or the entire evening, the time belongs to your child who deserves this uninterrupted attention from you.
3. Bond over family mealtimes
Try to make it a point to have breakfast or dinner together – as a convenient way to connect. These are times when you get to hold a conversation or make constant eye contact with your child.
4. Incorporate purposeful learning toys in play
Having fun with your kids is one of the finest ways to bond with them. What more if you can let them pick up a thing or two at the same time – allowing you to bond, play and educate your child at the same time. Be it small-world play toys for pretend play, educational learning resourcesor STEM toys, We strongly believe in this learning through play. Hence, it’s our mission to help both parents and children bond and thrive with our curation of fun, montessori-inspired, purposeful toys.
5. Weekends are for family
Try to refrain from tuition or enrichment classes on weekends, even if it means a jam-packed tiresome weekday. Meeting friends? Do it over weekday as a lunch appointment or an occasional weeknight out. This is difficult but try to be fiercely protective of your weekend and prioritise– for your kids and for yourselves to rejuvenate. Know your priorities – you cannot have everything or do everything!
6. Reading time
After they've showered and changed into pajamas, gather your kids for family reading time, whether they have one book or four (or more!). It’s all about bonding with your kids. Just read him a good book whether he has started speaking and responding or not. It forms a habit and a bond that stays for life.
7. Take pride in working
Be proud of your role as a working mother, and show your child how much you care about them and your job. Your regard for your work will command respect from your child and for you as well. According to an article published in New York Times “Mounting Evidence of Advantages for Children of Working Mothers”, evidence shows that having a working mum has economic, educational and social benefits for children of both genders.
Well, hope this little research nugget brought you some comfort!
