Mums' Struggles Made Simple [#MSMS]

Thank you to those mums who took part in my Life Balance survey in July. I recently offered solutions to some of the challenges you are currently facing on my blog in August. I will now cover the answers you gave to the second half of the survey, providing some valuable tips and solutions that will enable you to begin finding your ideal life balance.

vi) I asked about the emotional side of your current routine and whether you feel like you miss out on quality time with your family.

70% of participants replied that when life gets hectic this is certainly how you feel. Creating a more structured routine and working towards identifying and then eliminating your time wasters will enable you to dramatically reduce – frantic moments in life. 20% said you keep weekends free for family time: having time set aside like this helps to focus your mind and is valuable to your overall wellbeing.

vii) I asked how much time you spend caring for yourself.

I was encouraged to see that 55% of survey participants enjoy regular exercise when you are free. However, it does seem that self-care is an area in which mums struggle. If you associate it with guilt or see it as an indulgence, it is time to change your outlook. Self-care is about totally caring for your wellbeing and happiness: allowing yourself some enjoyment and time to become re-energised, re-invigorated. Taking responsibility of your own wellbeing will help you to face life head on without having to worry about your health or ability to physically cope with the demands of motherhood. Make a decision today to find a way to incorporate self-care into your weekly routine! These blogs Self-care: Important Not Indulgent! and You’re A Great Mum, So Why Is It So Difficult To Put Yourself First? might help!

viii) I asked how much tiredness affects your ability to care for yourself.

A whopping 90% found that tiredness greatly impacts your desire and ability to instil self-care into your routine. Here lies a vicious circle: allowing yourself time to recharge, exercise and create a healthy lifestyle will reduce how tired you are feeling. Without allowing yourself this time will simply perpetuate how you currently feel. Depriving yourself of self-care could compromise your health and who would be there for your family if you become worn out and ill? Stop being unfair to yourself: acknowledge your value and importance to your family, and recognise you need to be in a good happy place to give life your very best. Make now the time to start making small positive changes!

ix) How do you spend your holidays?

This question created a mixed response but I can see that holidays provide a huge challenge for many mums. The main issue relates to childcare issues during the school holidays and how you can best juggle your family’s routine to accommodate these breaks. Having to maximise childcare opportunities results in little time for a holiday as a complete family unit. You may not be able to change how you manage childcare in the holidays due to financial situations or other concerns but what is important is how you spend your time when you are on holiday. Whether you have the kids on your own or you get to spend time with your partner, ensure you inject some fun into the proceedings! Avoid staying indoors during the holidays: take the children out for long walks and create lots of games in the garden. Staying in can lead to frayed tempers and heightened stress levels! If you are holidaying without your partner, try to factor in visits to family and friends so you can create an instant support network. Ultimately ensure it is quality time spent as a family so you can enjoy each other’s company rather than having a stressful time that simply covers childcare.

As an aside, you really ought to consider taking your full holiday allocation if you are employed. You are entitled to this time and you need to embrace it. If you don’t have to take your full allocation to cover your family’s needs, why not take the remaining time to care for your own? Schedule a day that allows you to enjoy some time out guilt-free.

x) On completion of the survey, you provided the areas of your life in which you’d like more support. Don’t miss future #MSMS surveys as I will be featuring topics such as:

• Self-belief and self-worth
• Finding more time
• Self-esteem
• Relationships
• Lifelong Goals
• Me Time
• Parenting
• Budgeting
• Life Balance

Thank you again for participating in this survey. Finding your ideal life balance is extremely important, as it will ultimately support you to live the life you want to lead. Often creating a balance results in various changes to your current lifestyle. These changes should not be feared, instead embrace the opportunities they provide!

Many of you know that I offer additional support to these blogs by hosting MSMS Call In Sessions. This is an opportunity for you to address a particular challenge with me by calling in and receiving 15 minutes complimentary 1:1 laser coaching! September’s MSMS Call In Sessions will take place on Tuesday 18th September, 11.15am – 12.15pm and Thursday 20th September, 1 - 2 pm. These sessions are arranged on a first come first served basis and, if my line is busy, please do call in again. Don’t miss out on taking advantage of this fantastic opportunity: contact me on 01606 334 015!

If you missed the results, tips and solutions I shared to the first part of July’s MSMS, you can read all about it in my blog  here.

Don’t forget, I have created my signature e-Book, Confidence, Balance and Joy!, and I would like to invite you to download your free copy here!

To keep up-to-date with all future references to Mum’s Struggles Made Simple, #MSMS, please follow me on Twitter, Facebook and via e-mail!

Wishing you confidence, balance and joy.
Tracey

Start your journey today – achieve confidence, balance and clarity for an easier, happier life!

Empowering Mums is on a mission to empower a million mums and mumpreneurs just like you with greater confidence, balance and clarity to activate your infinite capabilities within! Enabling you to enjoy an easier, happier life alongside running a highly successful business. Aligned with enjoying time out for an essential self-care routine that fulfils your own needs and delight in quality time spent with your children being the mum you really want to be!

For further support please contact Empowering Mums today on 01606 334 015, alternatively visit our website at www.empoweringmums.com for more information.