What’s Your Summer’s “One Thing”?

What's one thing you can do this summer that will make everything else easier (or unnecessary)?

It might take some time for the answer to this question to come to your mind. As busy moms, we have dozens of things on our plates at any given time: chores, budgeting, parenting, volunteer commitments, kid extracurricular, health…to name a few. Especially during the summer, there seem to be new (and fun) things to juggle that mean our ongoing commitments and responsibilities seem even harder to manage. 

Audiobooks are my favorite busy mom hack, and I’ve been listening to “The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results” As we head into summer, it’s been a great reminder for me to stop the busyness, slow down, and focus on one thing that is important.

Reasons To Narrow Your Focus

Here are a just a few takeaways from the book that can help ease the stress of your busy mom life:

Less is More. One of the biggest takeaways from this book is that doing less, or focusing on one thing, is actually a more productive way to manage my todo list and time than trying to multitask. You are more efficient, productive, and will achieve a more successful result if you narrow your focus to do one thing at a time. 

Baby steps are steps in the right direction. By taking smaller steps to your bigger goal, you get less overwhelmed, harbor less stress, and boost your own morale by celebrating small wins. 

Focusing creates habits. If it takes 66 days to form a habit (which is what the authors suggest), then focusing on your one thing will help you stick with the habit routine you want to form. Habits are the means by which highly successful people meet their goals… if they can do it, you can too!

How To Choose Your One Thing

You may be wondering, “how on earth can I choose just one thing to focus on when I have so many?” Remember from my opening question that your one thing should make everything else easier, or unnecessary. Give it some thought, and use these steps to help guide you to choose wisely:

First, reflect on what you want to accomplish this summer. It could be a habit, a task, or a project. What is one thing that you REALLY want to accomplish?

Next, think through tasks or habits that would make other things easier. For example, maybe your one thing is to ensure everyone wakes up at the same time every day. Establishing a solid morning routine for your family might be the best way to mitigate family conflict that you’ve been managing for months. If your family always wakes up at a certain time, you can plan other activities accordingly so that you aren’t rushed to get out the door. By creating a consistent wake-up schedule, you can create a smoother, more efficient start to each day, making subsequent tasks throughout the day easier to manage since arguments, tantrums, and “I can’t find my lucky shorts!!!” panic attacks are minimized.

Plan ahead to focus your time. Ensure that you have time set aside each day to focus on your one thing. You will be tempted to skip it some days, or multitask. Don’t do it!

Say no to other non-essential things. Focusing on one thing means…focusing on ONE thing. That means you are saying no to everything else that isn’t essential and isn’t your one thing. You are saying yes to moving forward and making your one thing your priority for this month, summer or season of life.

Hold time for accountability and reflection. Focusing on one thing may seem like it’s too easy, but you’ll be surprised at how fast you may slide off track. Find someone or something to hold you accountable and check in regularly to ensure you are sticking to your goal. 

What one thing looks like in real life

For me, I’m focusing on making Parents Pivot even better as an organization. We are hitting the 5 years in business milestone this month! It’s exciting and it’s an opportunity for reflection. That means, I am investing in a coach as a thought partner to help me reflect on all that we do well and see where we go from here to increase our impact for returners and working parents. I am setting aside at least 3 hours each week to focus on this process. I am setting milestones to reach each month this summer. It felt overwhelming at first but once I broke down the steps and started the process it feels more manageable.  

At Parents Pivot, we partner with moms at pivotal points at the intersection of career and life like returning to paid work after a career pause, navigating parental leave, or leveling up your leadership within an organization or as an entrepreneur. If that is the one thing you’d like to focus on, learn more about our 1:1 and group coaching options. We would love to help you focus, and achieve your dreams!

Mom’s Fear Of Missing Out

Baby’s first steps. Cuteness overload during playdates. Mid-day snuggles. First words.

Soccer practices. Medical appointments. After school homework sessions. 

When deciding to return to paid work after having a baby, or after being at home with your children for years, there can be major FOMO: fear of missing out. When this happens because mom is returning to paid work after a career pause, it’s called “Mom’s fear of missing out.” Or at least, that’s what I like to call it. It’s very real. Very stressful. And can bring endless tears to the best of us.

We don’t want to miss one tiny little thing when it comes to our children. When we leave the home for work, whether part-time or full-time, the reality is that it will happen. So how do you reconcile your desire to return to paid work with your longing to be with your precious little one around the clock?

4 Ways To Address Mom’s Fear Of Missing Out

There are a few simple things you can do to cultivate your career, while also finding fulfillment in your role as a new mother.

Adjust your expectations. When you return to paid work, you will miss out on things. It’s inevitable. Acknowledging that, yes, you will miss things here and there is the first step to overcoming FOMO. Then, consider all that you will be gaining by working outside the home. Here are my favorite two examples:

• According to Harvard Business School, children of working parents grow up to be high achievers and are overall happier. You are setting your little one up for success by returning to paid work!

• You’ll be regularly engaging in adult conversations and tasks, stimulating your mind.

What happens when you miss out? Since missing out will happen, you need a game plan for what to do when it does. A few suggestions are:

• Decide ahead of time that you will celebrate with your child when you hear the story about something positive that happened. Give them a hug, smile, and let them know you are proud of them!

• Celebrate big milestones by doing something special together. Depending on the age of your child, this could be a small treat, an outing to a favorite playground or ice cream shop, or even just a dance party in the living room!

• Ask your childcare provider to take photos or short video clips throughout the day and share them with you. Some daycares even have cameras set up so that you can log in and watch the fun whenever you are available.

Commit to gratitude. It’s easy to look at the downside of missing out - you can’t recapture that moment you missed. Choosing gratitude will not only help you to stay positive, it will also help your child to be positive as well. Make a list of all that you are thankful for: dependable and trustworthy childcare, a healthy and happy child, opportunity to work at a great company and build strong professional relationships, etc. It’s also helpful to view the childcare provider as a way to teach your child that they have more than just their parents to count on to care for them.

And don’t forget… gratitude can also help your career! Mom’s fear of missing out isn’t as strong when laid beside a long gratitude list. If your child is talking, you can also ask them what they are thankful for and add it to the list.

Take care of yourself. Self care is important for both your physical and mental health. Don’t underestimate the power of good sleep habits, healthy eating, and time to rest in the face of FOMO. Here is a long list of self care activities to get started. Good self care habits will help you to stay positive and feeling good about your decision to return to paid work, even if you miss out on a few things at home. 

Returning To Work With Confidence

Once you make the decision to return to work – and have overcome the fear of missing out – it’s time to put yourself out there in the job market! Return with confidence through 1:1 or group career coaching that will not only launch you to the top of the applicants pile, but also instill the confidence you need to reach your career aspirations. 

Whether you are looking for a new job in the field you’ve worked for years or transitioning to something new, Parents Pivot is here to make sure you successfully return to paid work. Learn more about the Parents Pivot Parent’s Roadmap to get started. 

6 Tips for Keeping Burnout at Bay

1 in 3. That’s how many women are considering changing positions or leaving their employers altogether as a result of job burnout according to this McKinsey report. Are you one of them?

In a recent Deloitte report, “widespread burnout is made worse by poor/work life balance and an ability to “switch off” from work. Women don’t feel that employers are supporting efforts to balance work with other responsibilities and commitments. Sixty-four percent of hybrid workers indicate their employer hasn't set clear expectations around where and how they're expected to work. There’s no doubt about it, burnout is a significant problem, and it’s only getting worse.

There are many potential causes for burnout, including unclear job expectations, dysfunctional workplace dynamics, lack of social support, and work-life imbalance. Regardless of the causes, however, unaddressed burnout can lead to serious physical and mental health issues, such as excessive stress, insomnia, high blood pressure, alcohol or substance misuse, and vulnerability to illness.

Don’t let a demanding job or toxic work environment undermine your health. Take the following actions to keep burnout at bay. 

6 Tips for Managing, Mitigating, and Preventing Burnout

Burnout is a serious issue in today’s workplace that can have serious consequences, both professionally and personally. Protect your physical and mental health by taking these steps to manage, mitigate, and prevent burnout.

• Spot it early. Know the signs of burnout so you can recognize it early and make any necessary changes. Loss of motivation and excitement in your work, increased negative outlook, decrease in performance, mental and physical exhaustion, and physical ailments are all red flags signaling something isn’t right.

• Match your workload to your capacity. Women are especially prone to taking on more than we should. Partly from societal pressure and partly from pressure we put on ourselves, we work harder, longer, and faster than what is optimal in order to prove ourselves. While it may be considered the fast track to success, it’s also the fast track to burnout. Instead of constantly taking on more, make sure your workload actually matches your capacity. Know your limits, delegate whenever possible, and learn to say no. Taking proactive action to manage your workload is one of the best things you can do to prevent burnout.

• Set boundaries. Today’s world of constant connectivity has blurred the lines between professional and personal life. This is especially true when working remotely from home. It is all the more imperative, then, that you set and communicate clear boundaries around your priorities, your availability, and your working hours. Establishing (and maintaining) boundaries is easier said than done, but doing so is key to keeping burnout at bay. Here are some helpful tips for setting healthy boundaries at work.

• Prioritize self-care. In order to continue giving yourself to your work, both on the job and at home, it is essential that you replenish your physical, mental, and emotional energy. Prioritize adequate sleep, nutrition, and exercise, as well as activities that release stress and bring you joy. You may be tempted to think you don’t have the time to spare, but making time for them will actually increase your productivity in the long run. If you’re struggling to squeeze in these essential activities, I highly encourage you to take Laura Vanderkam’s Time Tracking Challenge – it’s an eye-opening experience!
  For more ideas and practical help, check out this ultimate guide on self-care for the working mom!

• Ask for help. You don’t have to battle burnout alone. Discuss specific concerns with your supervisor to see if you can find mutually beneficial solutions. Reach out to coworkers, friends, and loved ones for support and collaboration. Ask your family members to chip in with household duties. Wherever and however you can get it, community and support are key to mitigating burnout.

• Find a healthy work environment. If your burnout is coming from a toxic work environment, excessive or unfair job demands, or insufficient support from management, a job change may be in order. Look for a work environment that aligns with your values, fits your schedule and lifestyle, and is committed to supporting and empowering its employees.

How a Professional Pivot Could Help

Is your current work situation the cause of your burnout? Are you unhappy, unsupported, and unfulfilled where you are and looking for a change? Here are three ways a pivot could help:

• A change in career. As mentioned above, you may need a work environment that better meets your needs and aligns with your values. You may want to consider finding a new company to work for, or an entirely new career path altogether. Check out these 5 signs you should consider a career pivot to see if that’s the right choice for you.

• A return to paid work. Many moms leave the workforce because they are burnt out and you might be worried it will happen again. It doesn't have to, when you follow the steps outlined above at work and do the work to explore what kind of work would align with your life as a parent and what you want for yourself now then you can feel excited about returning to paid work. Fresh energy is a benefit of hiring a returner especially in today's market.

• A career pause. On the flipside, if you are burned out from trying to juggle professional and familial obligations, you may decide it’s best to hit pause on your career for a bit. That’s okay! With a little strategic planning, it is possible to successfully return to work after a career pause. And when that time comes, Parents Pivot will be here to guide you every step of the way.

Whether you’re looking to change your career, return to paid work, or take a career pause, Parents Pivot is here to help! Through our practical resources and group coaching, we help parents find meaningful work they love. 

In fact, Parents Pivot has designed a 2-part workshop to give parents and caregivers the guidance and space to think through how to intentionally BLEND work and life using the Parents Pivot framework. We will explore ways to shift your mindset, create a vision for what success looks like in this moment, and develop an action plan for sustainably working towards that vision. Parents and caregivers will leave the workshop series feeling supported and having the tools to set themselves up for success in managing through this challenging period, without the burnout.

Start here to contact Anna at Parents Pivot and see what Parents Pivot can do for you!

Will 2022 be the Year of the Great Return?

The pandemic began its crippling effects on our health and economy in March, 2020. For working moms, the coronavirus forced hundreds of thousands to leave the workforce to manage home and family life during the shutdown. While women are still leaving the workforce, it’s drastically decreased since 2020. Almost two years later, and we are all ready to put this difficult chapter behind us and hope that 2022 will be the year of the great return.

But what is the year of the great return?  It’s a year that marks a turning point in the pandemic where we have more control over our circumstances, allowing moms to return to work with the childcare and support they need to balance their personal and professional life.

Even though COVID is still here and we haven’t yet hit that turning point in the pandemic, it’s good to start thinking about what you want to do when you decide to return. Consider this: the typical job search takes 8 months for those without a career pause and even longer for those with a career pause on their resume. If you plan to return to work in 6-12 months, now is the time to start preparing!

5 Signs 2022 Is the Year of the Return

There are several signs that this year will be a year of positive progression for both the economy and our workforce.

1. Not only do we have a COVID-19 vaccine, it is now approved for children ages 5-11. Pfizer’s CEO, Albert Bourla, says the under 5 years old age group will likely be able to become vaccinated as early as the first quarter of this year. The difficulty the pandemic has brought on for working mothers regarding childcare is a major contributing factor to women leaving the workforce. With both adults and children eligible to receive a vaccine, it greatly decreases the likelihood of unexpected and extended childcare due to quarantine periods for the infected and exposed. 

2. Companies are more open to flexible work arrangement which make work more conducive for caregivers.

A silver lining of the pandemic is that companies are more open to flexible work arrangements which include working remotely where possible, designating critical “prime time” hours where meetings and employees are expected to be available, and being more flexible outside of those hours.

3. This pandemic has been a time of great transition and great reflection; people are shifting and realizing that they want a change. For many women who left the workforce, they are re-examining their interests, passions, and priorities. Returning to the workforce will most likely take a different shape from when they left. Working moms may search out different roles than what they had before, and will be looking for more flexibility, and better benefits, all of which are now more available because of the pandemic.

4. Companies are less wary of a career pause after the pandemic, regardless of what caused the gap between jobs. With record unemployment rates across the board, employers and hiring managers are accepting the fact that a career gap is going to show up on resumes more often than not.  

5. Why not start now? There is no time like the present. We have all been through several years of stops and starts with COVID. If we hang around waiting for the perfect time, then we might never get started. So why not get started planning your return? It might just be the change that you have been looking for.

If you are looking to make 2022 your year of return, Parents Pivot would love to partner with you to find success in finding the perfect fit for you! We offer many resources to assist you with your job search, from 1:1 and group coaching to special events and job listings in Houston. Connect with us today to make this year your year!

5 Ways Gratitude Can Help Your Career

As Thanksgiving approaches, expressions of gratitude abound. From social media posts to t-shirts to home decor, the words “thankful” and “grateful” are everywhere. It’s one of the best parts of the season! While it’s always more prevalent this time of year, gratitude is becoming a more widespread practice in our culture, year round. Thanks to a wealth of studies on the topic, people are realizing the powerful benefits of gratitude on individual and collective well-being. Those benefits aren’t limited to our personal lives, either. Gratitude has positive effects on our professional lives, as well.

That’s not to say it’s always easy to practice gratitude at work. Between workplace grievances, the temptation to compare our career to others’, and the normal demands of everyday life, we often forget to recognize the good in our work. But doing so can make a big difference in both our satisfaction and performance on the job. Take some time this Thanksgiving season to think about the following ways cultivating an attitude of gratitude could help your career.

5 Ways Gratitude Can Help Your Career

Appreciating the good in our lives is essential for our physical, emotional, and relational well-being, but it also provides significant benefits for our paid work. Consider these 5 ways practicing gratitude can help your career and support your professional success:

1. It will improve your work performance.

   Looking for the good in your job will help you enjoy it more, and happier workers are better workers. Happiness on the job leads to higher engagement, better team collaboration, and greater investment in organizational goals. These, in turn, increase productivity and improve work performance.

2. It will strengthen your professional relationships.
   

   Gratitude generally leads to greater positivity and optimism, and people respond well to that. Think about it - would you rather work with someone who complains all the time, or someone who is enthusiastic about his/her job? By practicing gratitude in your career, you can strengthen your relationships with coworkers, clients, and bosses, as well as attract new networking opportunities.

3. It will build your resiliency.
   

   Every professional journey is filled with ups and downs. Regardless of your experience or skill level, you will face struggles, disappointments, and even failures in your career. Rather than becoming dejected or discouraged by them, gratitude will help you see how these setbacks can lead to greater wisdom and valuable experience for the future.

4. It will motivate you to greatness.
   

   Recognizing the good in our present helps us feel more hopeful about our future. As such, appreciating your current performance is an effective way to motivate yourself to improve. Make it a practice to write down successes you achieve, progress you make, and new skills you develop. It will lead to further growth and greatness.

5. It will make you a better manager.
   

   Studies have shown that feeling appreciated at work is one of the biggest factors in employee satisfaction. As mentioned above, satisfied workers are better workers. Therefore, expressing gratitude to the people on your team will cultivate a positive company culture, increase employee retention rates, and enhance the quality of work, all of which make for an effective manager.

It’s not always easy or natural to practice gratitude in the workplace, but doing so will help you build and advance your career. Have you recently taken a career pause and want to get back to the work you loved? Or perhaps find meaningful work elsewhere? No matter where you are on your return-to-work journey, Parents Pivot is here to help! See how we can help you here. 

5 Remote Work Tips for Working Moms

Among other things, the pandemic has ushered in a new era of remote work. In the initial widespread shutdowns, numerous businesses quickly looked for ways to enable their employees to work from home. As things began to open back up, many of those employees chose or requested to continue working remotely.

As a mom, remote work can be ideal for balancing work and family. It often affords greater flexibility for attending to family commitments and responsibilities. It allows more time to spend with the kids. And it eliminates commute times, opening up more time for both work and family.

Working remotely as a mom isn’t without its challenges, however, especially if you have children at home. It is often difficult to draw clear boundaries between work and home life, the constant multitasking can be exhausting, and working with kids underfoot is no joke. Knowing the full reality of remote work is important for establishing realistic expectations, but the good news is all these challenges can be managed with a few helpful strategies.

Whether you’re already working from home or you are considering a remote job, here are five tips to stay productive and sane as a remotely working mom.

5 Remote Work Tips for Working Moms

While it’s not as easy as people might think, remote work can offer flexibility and freedom that is great for moms trying to juggle paid work and family care. Keep these remote work tips for working moms in mind to thrive both on the job and at home.

1. Create a schedule
   
   In order to manage your work and family commitments effectively, your day needs structure. Having a predictable and consistent routine will help you stay focused and productive and keep the overwhelm at bay. Just as you would if you worked outside your home, set specific “office hours,” and do your best to stick to them. Decide what parts of the day you will devote to family time, and be fully present during those hours.
   
   

2. Be flexible
   
   That being said, one of the benefits of remote work is the flexibility it can offer, so be open to changes in your day. Work out an agreement with your employer about how many hours you need to log and when you need to work them. Depending on the job, many employers these days understand the need for nontraditional schedules and are willing to accommodate some flexibility as long as the work gets done.
   
   

3. Separate your mom and work roles
   
   One of the biggest challenges of working remotely is the lack of physical separation between work and home. Without a clear delineation, it can feel like you’re always at work. One way to mentally separate your mom and work roles is by establishing a dedicated workspace. Ideally, this would be a separate home office, but if that’s not possible, try to find an area you can turn into your own personal workspace.
   
   Another helpful strategy is to set clear boundaries around your work time. Decide when you will and will not answer work calls, check email, and perform work-related tasks. Then, establish rhythms in your day signaling the beginning of your work time (such as getting dressed and sitting down at your workspace) and the end (such as shutting off your computer and walking away or closing your home office door).
   
   When you work remotely, work life and home life will naturally overlap at times. Successfully balancing both will require an openness and flexibility to that intersection. However, the more you can mentally and physically separate your mom and work roles, the more focused attention and energy you will be able to give to both.
   
   

4. Set aside specific toys and activities for while you are working
   
   Never underestimate the power of something new to hold kids’ attention. They always play longer and better with toys or activities that aren’t the same old ones available to them anytime they want. With that in mind, keep an arsenal of toys and activities that you only bring out when you need them to play quietly and independently, such as during a phone call or Zoom meeting. Building toys, sensory bins, reusable sticker sets, and paint with water books are a few ways to keep young kids occupied while you work.
   
   

5. Have realistic expectations, and ask for help when you need it!
   
   Finally, set realistic expectations for yourself, and don’t expect to balance everything perfectly all the time. Realize that just because you are home doesn’t mean you will be able to tackle all the household chores, fulfill all family commitments, or entertain your kids all day. Balancing work and family is a big undertaking, and there will be times you need to give more of your attention to one than the other. Be kind to yourself and give yourself plenty of grace.
   
   Along with that, don’t be afraid to ask for help! Lean on friends and family members for support, hire a babysitter when you need one, and communicate with your partner to create workable divisions of labor. Remember, no woman can successfully fulfill all her roles without help from others, and seeking help when you need it will enable you to give more of yourself to both your work and your family.

Working remotely can be a great solution for moms wanting to balance paid work and family life, but the constant multitasking can take its toll. Set yourself up for success in both work and home by implementing the above remote work tips for working moms.

Are you interested in finding remote work that is conducive to mom life? Parents Pivot can help! With one-on-one and group coaching, we can help you pivot in the workplace and find the job that’s right for you. Set up a coaching session with Anna for customized support as you transition to flexible, fulfilling paid work.

Know Your Rights: Top 10 Employment Laws You Should Know

Do you know your basic workplace rights? Whether you are considering returning to work or you’ve been working for years, knowing your rights and protections as an employee is vital. Familiarizing yourself with employment laws could save you from wrongful treatment or conditions that are detrimental to your family.

That’s why we are excited to share this valuable resource from Anna’s friend Erica DeReyes at Employee Relations Consulting. If you are a mom in the workforce (or plan to be soon), you need to read this guide. Protect yourself and your loved ones with these top 10 employment laws every employee should know.

Top 10 Employment Laws You Should Know

Here is an overview of some of the important employment laws you should know as a working mom:

*Note: This is general guidance for federal employment laws. States may provide additional protections. Also, some very small employers – less than 15 in TX but varies by state - are not subject to some of these laws. Furthermore, this information is not legal advice but for informational purposes only. If you have a question or concerns in any of these areas, please consult with your HR professional or attorney.

1. Protected Categories: Under the law, applicants and employees are protected from employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age (40 and over), disability and genetic information.

2. Employment at Will: An employer can fire an employee at any time for any reason, unless he/she has a written contract that limits such termination. You cannot be fired for any unlawful reason or one which violates public policy exceptions under the law, if any. If you are a member of a protected category and are terminated because of your protected category, that is discrimination and that is unlawful.

3. Discrimination: If an individual is treated differently and subjected to any adverse employment action in any aspect of employment, from hiring to promotion to firing, because of their protected category, it is considered discrimination.

4. Harassment: Harassment becomes unlawful where 1) enduring the offensive conduct becomes a condition of continued employment, or 2) the conduct is severe or pervasive enough to create a work environment that a reasonable person would consider intimidating, hostile, or abusive. Although sexual harassment gets the most attention, harassment because of any other protected category is also unlawful.

5. The Family & Medical Leave Act: The FMLA provides job protected leave to individuals for the birth/adoption/foster care of a child, an employee’s own, or family member’s serious health condition or military leave. The 3 most important things to know about FMLA: 1. Eligibility: An employer must have 50 employees in a 75 mile radius to be covered by the FMLA. An employee is only covered if they have worked BOTH the last 12 months and 1,250 hours. 2. FMLA provides job protected leave for up to 12 weeks, not income protection. FMLA leave is unpaid under the law – check with your Company to see if they provide any benefits not required by law. 3. You cannot be retaliated against because you took FMLA leave. You must be treated as if you never left. If you would otherwise have been terminated while working, you still can be while on leave (e.g. layoff). RETURNING FROM MATERNITY LEAVE: You must be returned back to your same or similar position.

6. The Americans with Disabilities Act: The ADA requires employers to provide employees with disabilities with reasonable accommodations to perform the essential functions of a job, unless doing so would impose an undue hardship on the employer. The law is very expansive so many ailments qualify as disabilities. Furthermore, it is important to understand that time off from work may be a reasonable accommodation. If you are new to a job and aren’t eligible for FMLA or you don’t have any paid time off to use, you may be able to request the time off as a reasonable accommodation under the ADA. RETURNING FROM MATERNITY LEAVE: If you have used all 12 weeks of FMLA leave, and you need more time as a result of a disability, you may be able to request additional leave as a reasonable accommodation.

7. Retaliation: The number one reason employees do not report discrimination or harassment is due to a fear of being retaliated against (fired, demoted or shunned) at work. Employees must understand that the law protects them against retaliation. In the eyes of the law, retaliation is just as bad as the discrimination, harassment or unlawful conduct itself. The law is written to empower employees to report unlawful conduct.

8. Wage & Hour: If your position is classified as non-exempt, you cannot work off-the-clock, or on your break or during your lunch hour. Also, if non-exempt, you generally must be paid time and a half (1.5x) for any time worked over 40 hours in any workweek. Many employers misclassify employees as exempt instead of non-exempt as the requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act can be confusing.

9. Equal Pay Act of 1963: The EPA prohibits sex-based wage discrimination between men and women in the same establishment who perform jobs that require substantially equal skill, effort and responsibility under similar working conditions. Title VII also prohibits gender-based pay discrimination in employment.

10. Nursing Mothers: Federal law requires certain employers to provide reasonable break time for an employee to express breast milk for her nursing child for one year after the child’s birth each time such employee has need to express the milk. Employers are also required to provide a place, other than a bathroom, that is shielded from view and free from intrusion from coworkers and the public, which may be used by an employee to express breast milk.

Whether you’re a mom currently in the workforce or you plan to return soon, it is crucial that you know your rights. By informing yourself of these employment laws, you’ll be better able to protect yourself and your family’s best interests.

For more help returning to paid work, turn to Parents Pivot! Set up a coaching session with Anna for personalized support in all the ins and outs of pivoting back to work.

Time Management for Moms

We learned many valuable lessons about time management this past year, thanks to the Coronavirus quarantine. Those of you who work outside the home and suddenly had to work inside the home may have had to learn how to get everything done with a new routine and schedule. Laundry, dishes, tutoring, mom talks, and dinner still needed to happen even with a pile of work to do. Effective time management became more important than ever!

Now that most of us are settled back into our usual routines, it’s still important. We’re still busy moms with lots of balls to juggle and needs to meet. So, how can we continue to apply the lessons we’ve learned about time management to our post-quarantine lives? Here are some ways to hack the working mom life so you can be successful and satisfied while achieving a healthy work/life balance.

And for those of you hoping to transition back to paid work soon, sharpen these transferable time management skills to showcase your value during the job search process.

Time Management Matters.

Effective time management equates to less stress, enhanced confidence, and more peace in both your work and home life. Utilizing good time management techniques can allow you to get more done in less time, freeing up time for family, rest, or recreation. Working 24/7 is not good for your physical or mental health, so it’s critical to prioritize breaks and downtime when managing your time.

Here are 10 of the best, mom-approved time management tips to consider implementing into your work and family life:

1. Say “no” to unnecessarily stressful offers.

   Now that you’re back to work, your time is more limited. Saying “no” to things you may have done before returning to paid work will prevent you from feeling overwhelmed. While there are some obligations that cannot be turned down, be sure to remember that “no” is an acceptable answer. Maybe it’s saying no to volunteering at the community event, or saying no to hosting the next family or friend’s gathering. There will always be next time to say yes.

2. Work in chunks.

   Whenever possible, try to chunk your work into manageable blocks. If possible, put similar tasks together so they are easier to complete. For example, check your email and return phone calls in the afternoon, leaving the important work for in the morning when your mind is fresh and ready to focus. At home, you might consider cooking in bulk to save money and cooking time. Chunking time by using methods like the Pomodoro technique will make work in the office and at home faster and less stressful.

3. Delegate tasks when possible.

   Planning a birthday party? Have a to-do list that is growing instead of shrinking? Trying to find time to get grocery shopping done? Consider ways you can delegate tasks to someone else. If your children are old enough to help, by all means enlist them to contribute to the household chores. If the grocery store is on your partner’s way home from work, ask if you can move grocery shopping off your plate. If you have tasks that you can’t delegate to family members, consider using a home management service. Bevy offers these services in Houston. They will manage everything from cleaning to party planning.

4. Stop aiming for perfection.

   It’s great to have high standards, but don’t let those standards be so prescriptive that the process of attaining them is overwhelming. Decide what is most important in every situation and know that imperfection is OK from time to time.

5. Automate tasks.

   Think about what tasks can be automated. Can you schedule bills to be paid automatically? Need to be on the lookout for drops in airfare costs for your upcoming vacation? These days, so many tasks can be automated to save you time and energy. If you find yourself spending time on repetitive tasks, consider spending the time researching if they can be automated. You’ll thank yourself later.

6. Cut down phone time.

   One of the biggest time sucks for people these days is the smartphone. Sure, it can save a person a lot of time and help connect with people. Be careful, though, that you don’t let the phone keep you from your goals. Use apps to help monitor or shut off access to the apps that suck time from your otherwise productive day. Social media apps are the biggest cause for concern when looking to be more productive with your time.

7. Front load your biggest or most-hated tasks.

   Front loading your work will get the frustrating or annoying tasks off your plate sooner. Consider starting your day by answering emails, if you loathe the task. Put the biggest task at the top of your list so that it gets knocked out and you can move on to more enjoyable tasks.

8. Practice self-care, including eating healthy and resting.

   As you transition back to paid work, be sure to maintain a healthy lifestyle. When stressful times inevitably come along, you’ll thank yourself because you’ll be less likely to become ill and will have more energy and focus to succeed. There’s no substitute for taking care of yourself during busy seasons of life.

9. Use a meal or grocery delivery service.

   There are plenty of meal and grocery delivery services to choose from these days. Consider subscribing to one so you can have delicious and healthy meals instead of going out to eat in a pinch. Some meal delivery services include everything and only require a quick 20 minutes to make the meal.

10. Recognize when you need a break.

    Hard work and dedication is commendable, but constantly pushing yourself isn’t in anyone’s best interest. Sacrificing self-care so you can get everything done will only lead to burn-out, and that won’t be helpful for anyone. Recognize when you need a break so your work time can be more efficient.

It will take time to implement these hacks, so pace yourself and take baby steps to start. Learn what works best for you as you try new things and be sure they also work for your family.

If you need help with your pivot back to paid work in your life, Parents Pivot is here to help! Set up a coaching session with Anna for customized support working through this stage of your transition.