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.

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.

5 Ways Working Moms Can Practice Gratitude During The Pandemic

When the pandemic started in early 2020, I don’t think anyone realized that we would be celebrating the holidays wearing masks, relying on hand sanitizer, and having to remain socially distanced. This year’s struggles have been real, and rough, for everyone. Especially working moms. Practicing gratitude may seem impossible given how 2020 has treated us, but it’s essential for our own well-being, and the well-being of our families.

Why Gratitude matters

Practicing gratitude has scientifically-proven, physical and mental benefits. This Forbes article has the details, but here is the summary. Gratitude...

• builds relationships.

• motivates you to take better care of your physical health.

• improves psychological health.

• enhances empathy and reduces aggression.

• provides better sleep.

• improves self esteem.

• increases mental strength.

The better sleep benefit alone makes me want to practice gratitude, but this list as a whole makes it obvious that working moms cannot afford to skip gratitude this year. We need it now more than ever.

5 Ways Working Moms Can Be Intentionally Grateful

This list is just the tip of the iceberg for ways we can practice gratitude as busy working moms. Start with these activities, then get creative and find your own ways to show and internalize your gratitude. Your body, mind, and family will return the favor and  thank you for it!

1. What good things have happened in 2020? This year needs a reset, so let’s start with our own perspectives on this year. Yes, lots of bad things have happened, but there have been some good things too. For example, my family has usually suffered from a couple of colds and a stomach bug or two by this time every year. Because of the extra precautions because of COVID-19, we’ve not been exposed to the germs that we usually do. Think about 5 things you are thankful for that happened in 2020 and write them down somewhere to remind you of the good.

2. Start a gratitude journal. You may have heard of this idea before and not done it because it’s another thing to add to your to-do list. Trust me, I get it. And if that is you, scale down the journal to simply writing down what you are thankful for on a sticky note before you open your computer. The point is, starting your day with the things you are gratitude for makes a difference in your attitude and outlook for the rest of the day. And remember that what you write down doesn’t have to be a novel or anything profound. Finding your lost tube of chapstick is a totally legitimate thing to be thankful for!

3. Tell people that you are grateful for them, or what they have done. It’s so easy to skip saying thank you when we are busy, busy, busy. But beyond just saying thanks, take the time to really be open and generous with your gratitude. Did your child decide to make his bed without you asking? Take thanks a step further by telling him how proud you are of the little man he is becoming and give him an extra hug. Did your co-worker do something that made your job easier, even though they didn’t have to? Make sure they know how they helped and that you enjoy working with them in general.

4. Pause when you find something to be thankful for. Pause here can be as quick five-seconds to really let your gratitude think in. Take the time to really think about why you are grateful and how the thing, person, or circumstance is bringing you joy. For example, I saw the most beautiful sunrise last week. I didn’t want to be up that early, but I was, and I allowed myself to watch the beautiful sky for a few seconds before I moved on with my morning routine.

5. Ask your family to practice gratitude with you. Kids are surprisingly good accountability partners! Practicing gratitude with your kids on a regular basis will keep thankfulness top of mind at home and throughout your work day. Here are some easy and practical ideas:

   • I like the fun game, “Aren't we lucky?” where you take turns saying “Aren’t we lucky” that XYZ… Aren’t we lucky that papa and nana live so close? Aren’t we lucky we have a fun playroom? 

   • At dinner every night we share what we are grateful for. We also have a clear "gratitude bowl" that we fill up with little notes that share things we are grateful for. We love seeing our “gratefuls” pile high in the jar! 

   • My daughters also had a "happiness jar" when they were little where I wrote down little things that we or they were happy about. We found them again the other night and it was fun to go through those with them! It was a fun and uplifting walk down memory lane.

Let Parents Pivot Help

Are you struggling to return to work after a career break? Is the transition back to work more difficult than you expected? We’d love to chat with you about how we can help. Contact Anna, working mom of two daughters and founder of Parents Pivot, today!

Simple Tricks To Fit Reading Into Your Busy Schedule, Plus A Working Mom Reading List

It’s become common knowledge that the most successful people in the world have impressive reading habits. It’s also known that if you want to raise a reader, be a reader. Putting together your own working mom reading list seems like a good move, both for you and for your kids. 

But how on earth does a working mom juggling all the hats fit in time to read? 

5 Simple Tricks to Squeeze in More Reading

If you’re anything like me, having a reading list sometimes seems like something that people without kids have the luxury to indulge. But, after lots of practice to make it a priority, I’ve found ways to fit in reading without sacrificing other responsibilities. Here are five simple tricks that will work for even the busiest of moms.

Bookend your day. Start and end your day by reading for 15 minutes. When you first wake up, read 15 minutes in bed. Then when you lay down for the night, read 15 more minutes before you go to sleep.  You’d be amazed how much progress you can make in 30 minutes a day.

Read on your breaks. Use your scheduled breaks to work your way through your to-read list.

Use your phone. Fill your Kindle app with books so you always have reading material on hand. Whenever you have a few minutes of downtime -- waiting for a meeting to start, sitting in the school pickup line, or even standing in line at the grocery store -- pull out your phone and read a few pages.

Diversify. Reading more than one book at a time can actually help you read more, overall. You can choose the book that best fits your mood, making you much more likely to pick it up and read. 

Read with your ears. Honestly, this is my favorite one. There are often more opportunities during the day to listen than to read, so consume more books by listening to them on audio. Listen while exercising, during your commute to and from work, or while catching up on housework. Turn up the speed to “read” even faster!

The Working Mom Reading List

So now that you have time to read during the week, here are a few recommendations to start your working mom reading list:

1. Tara Mohr’s book Playing Big is one of my favorite books for women interested in taking on new challenges. 

“While not all women aspire to end up in the corner office, every woman aspires to something. Playing Big fills a major gap among women’s career books; it isn’t just for corporate women. The book offers tools to help every woman play bigger—whether she’s an executive, community volunteer, artist, or stay-at-home mom.”

2. Breaking the Gender Code: How women can use what they already have to get what they actually want by Danielle Dobson is one of my personal favorites.

“Breaking the Gender Code encourages you to realise your contribution is highly valuable in all your roles, and the skills and capabilities strengthened by being a parent and caring for others is a powerful adaptive leadership and career asset. You don't need more of anything. By using what you already have, you are able to get what you actually want.”  

3. I am currently reading So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo. This book is stretching my understanding and awareness of systemic racial issues. I highly recommend it for everyone.

“In So You Want to Talk About Race, Ijeoma Oluo guides readers of all races through subjects ranging from intersectionality and affirmative action to "model minorities" in an attempt to make the seemingly impossible possible: honest conversations about race and racism, and how they infect almost every aspect of American life.” 

4. Stretched Too Thin: How Working Moms Can Lose the Guilt, Work Smarter, and Thrive by Jessica Turner is currently on my nightstand and is a practical book with wisdom and worksheets! Every chapter concludes with a challenge to make it practical. 

“Working mothers constantly battle the pull to do all the things well. From managing work and home responsibilities to being impacted by a lack of self-care and time for deep friendships, the struggle is real. At the end of each day, many working moms are exhausted and stretched too thin. But this does not have to be the norm.”

5. I Know How She Does It: How Successful Women Make The Most of Their Time by Laura Vanderkam is backed by science and the perfect read for moms looking to make real change towards success. 

“Instead of relying on scattered stories, I Know How She Does It adds hard data to the debate. Based on hour-by-hour time logs from 1001 days in the lives of working mothers earning at least $100,000 a year, this book shows how these women spend the 168 hours that every one of us has each week. Case studies and interviews document how women make time to advance in their careers, enjoy family activities, and pursue their own passions. Based on these strategies, I Know How She Does It offers a framework for anyone who wants to thrive at work and life.”

6. Design Your Day: Be More Productive, Set Better Goals, and Live Life On Purpose 

 by Claire Diaz-Ortiz is inspiring, motivating, and challenging. You’ll love it!

“Whether you want to finish a house project, lose weight, or write a book, Design Your Day—by someone who read 150 books while caring for an infant—is an all-in-one guide to smart productivity. Use Claire’s tricks and tools and you’ll be amazed at what you can do in a day, let alone a lifetime.”

What books would you recommend adding to the list? I’d love to hear your recommendations. Tag Parents Pivot on Instagram with your favorites!