Whether you’re a mom who works outside of the home or are at home full-time, it’s not easy. I often get asked if there’s such a thing as work-life balance, or is it a myth? To be honest, I haven’t achieved true balance, and the “mommy guilt” hits me deep in my core. I think balance as we call it can only be achieved in a superficial way.  What I can say, though, is that I try to be strategic with my energy and always carve out time for pleasure and self-care, like my aromatherapy bath at the end of the day. Ultimately, the balance is mine. I’m passionate about both my work and my family, so by and large it works. Whether you’re a mom who works outside of the home or are at home full-time, it’s not easy. I often get asked if there’s such a thing as work-life balance, or is it a myth? To be honest, I haven’t achieved true balance, and the “mommy guilt” hits me deep in my core. I think balance as we call it can only be achieved in a superficial way.  What I can say, though, is that I try to be strategic with my energy and always carve out time for pleasure and self-care, like my aromatherapy bath at the end of the day. Ultimately, the balance is mine. I’m passionate about both my work and my family, so by and large it works.

I work primarily from a home office, heading into our offices only a few times per week. It helps that I’m a very early riser. While the house is still quiet, I’m up with my coffee, first taking a moment for myself and then getting some work done before my littlest one is up. The gift of owning my own business is flexibility. The difficult part for my family comes when my work takes me away from home as I speak at health events across the country. The travel makes it difficult on the home front, and for myself personally as I am away from my routine which I find to be quite taxing.  And then of course I miss all the special moments of bed time, morning snuggles and seeing the kids off to school for their day. But, the flip side, is that when I am home, I am available to them full-on, and can put their needs at the top. The flexibility to work my schedule around theirs is a lifesaver. And yes, truth be told, my schedule follows my kids. Once 2:45 pm hits, I am off to school pick up, followed by activities, dinner, homework, and their bedtime routine.

I have also found it incredibly helpful to surround myself with a group of other women/moms that deal with similar challenges. We all feel the highs and lows of being working moms, and it is comforting to know that other women experience the same feelings. We are all just doing our best to make it work.

I hope that my kids will see how hard their parents work and learn by our example.  Fortunately, though, it’s not all work and no play for us! The pendulum always swings back and lets me and my husband devote more of our time to personal concerns and family life.  I also want our kids to notice that our work is fueled by passion – a passion for good health.  Indeed, we try to teach our children that if you’re passionate about your work, you will never “work” a day in your life!

Here are my top 5 tips to making balance possible:

1. Wake up earlier than everyone in the house. This was a huge turning point for me. I feel as though I can start my day uninterrupted, enjoy a bit of quiet time, and then when the kids are up, I feel ready to tackle their morning schedule.
2. Schedule workouts just like you would schedule a meeting. Keeping your mind and body fit are incredibly important to ease stress, and tension and keep those happy endorphins flowing. Our kids learn by example so if they see us taking time to care for our body, they will one day do the same.
3. Carve out a date night with your spouse. I recommend at least one per month. And establish a set of rules. For us, we try to not speak about work or the kids.
4. Nourish your tribe. I can’t stress how much I love the women in my life. They have become my cheerleaders who listen and offer advice. A girl’s night out is therapy for the soul.
5. Do one thing each day that is for YOU. I enjoy a bath each night with essential oils and Epson salts.