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Surrey mums ask - how do we keep everyone happy? Kerry Barnham has years of experience and great advice
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alance is a word that comes up in almost every conversation. Finding the balance and getting it right for your work and family can be difficult. My advice is always the same and that’s to manage everyone’s expectations including your own. No two families are the same however we all want to be a ‘super mum’ and balance too much, ultimately leading to the spinning plates falling down. Our advice is that prevention is better than the cure. It’s okay to ask for help and it’s fine to need some rest. The guilt we feel as mums for not being able to juggle working from home, running a busy household and keeping our children happy along with being a taxi driver and party planner, it’s no wonder we’re under so much pressure.
So what can we do? 1. Manage expectations of availability for clients, work and family. If you know you are going to have to spend the morning working tell your children, set them an activity and plan ahead for when you’re working from home. 2. Try to stop looking at what everyone else is doing and feeling bad that you aren’t doing the same. 3. Make a list of where you would like to go as a family and make time for the fun stuff. Use it as a reward for the kids and rest for you.
an out-of-office reply on to say that you will be checking emails at specific times and if it’s urgent, to message you. Stick to these times so that your day is structured. 5. Chances are you have friends in the same predicament. Set up a WhatsApp group where you can all communicate childcare requests for help. 6. If you need to be in an office – Call Hummingbird Homestaff about finding the right nanny or housekeeper to support you, it’s okay to ask for some help! Managing everyone’s expectations will go a long way in supporting a work life balance. Remember your circumstances are unique and you shouldn’t feel guilty you can’t do everything. After many years of experience, I know that having some part time help at home can make it a happier place. PS Keep calm it will be summer soon! n info@hummingbirdhomestaff.co.uk hummingbirdhomestaff.co.uk
4. If you work from home for yourself, put read more at darlingmagazine.co.uk spring 2021
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