Hello and welcome to my blog! This week, we are celebrating Black Maternal Health. In honor of Black Maternal Health Week, I want to explore the challenges and strategies for thriving as a new mom in a demanding career. As a psychologist specializing in supporting professional women, I understand the unique juggling act you face, nurturing a career while nurturing a newborn.
The Juggling Act: Being a Working Mom
Picture this: you’ve been at the top of your career and entered the motherhood phase of your life. You’ve just welcomed your precious baby into the world, and while you’re overjoyed, you’re also feeling the weight of your professional responsibilities. Balancing sleepless nights with board meetings, diaper changes with deadlines—you’ve never felt pulled in so many different directions, and you can’t come to terms with being unable to juggle it all. It’s a lot to handle.
The demands of a high-powered career combined with the responsibilities of motherhood can create overwhelming stress. You might struggle to meet work expectations while tending to your baby’s needs.
The juggle of being a working mom is real. Can you relate to:
The Time Crunch: Racing from daycare drop-offs to morning meetings, squeezing in pumping sessions during lunch breaks, and attempting to wrap up projects before the daycare pickup deadline.
The Guilt Trip: You feel torn between work commitments and spending quality time with your little one, leading to internal feelings of guilt and the pressure to excel in both roles.
The Exhaustion Factor: You are sleep-deprived from the lack of sleep as you try to create a nighttime routine for you and your baby while maintaining a demanding work schedule, which impacts your physical and emotional well-being.
The Identity Shift: Navigating the transition from a career-focused professional to a working mom, where balancing roles while maintaining a sense of self feels like a monumental task.
Tips for Balancing Life and Wellness
Amidst the chaos, here are practical tips to help you find equilibrium and prioritize your well-being:
Prioritize Self-Care: Self-care isn’t selfish—it’s essential, necessary, and needed. Dedicate time each day to recharge your batteries, even if it’s just a few minutes. Whether practicing mindfulness by sitting and taking in a few slow, deep breaths, enjoying a hobby, taking a shower, brushing your hair, or simply resting, prioritize activities that replenish your spirit.
Set Realistic Expectations: Acknowledge that perfection is not attainable; no one is perfect, even if the media and social media make it appear that way. Set achievable goals at work and home and celebrate victories, no matter how small.
Create Boundaries: Establish clear boundaries between work and home life. Be realistic; you’re not a superhero. Communicate your availability to colleagues and supervisors to ensure focused time with your baby.
Embrace Support: ASK FOR HELP!! Lean on your support network—partner, family, friends, or fellow working moms—for help and encouragement. Delegate tasks to lighten your load. You don’t have to do it all; no one can.
Seek Professional Guidance: If feeling overwhelmed or struggling, consider talking to a psychologist/therapist specializing in maternal mental health for personalized support and coping strategies.
Remember, you’re Not Alone. Countless women successfully navigate the intersection of career and motherhood every day. You can thrive as a working mom by embracing balance, setting boundaries, and seeking support.
This Black Maternal Health Week, prioritize maternal wellness and self-care. Embrace the beautiful chaos of motherhood while nurturing your well-being.
Wishing you strength, resilience, and joy as you embark on this incredible chapter of your life.
I am a clinical psychologist in Los Angeles and offer complimentary 15-minute initial consultations. If you are a professional woman seeking counseling, you may click here to schedule an appointment.