How to Get Off the Hamster Wheel as a Busy, Working Mom

If I asked you how you like to celebrate your wins in life, would you have an answer? 🤷‍♀️ Or would you say, "I don't know. I've never thought about it before."? We're taught to celebrate the big milestones in life. The birthdays, holidays, and anniversaries. The firsts and the lasts. But the in-between, everyday wins, successes, and progress? Those aren't the celebrations we see very often.

And if we do, they can be seen as "too much" or "a little excessive".

But what if celebrating the smaller, in-between moments and experiences is actually the thing that makes life more enjoyable?

Working MomKatelyn DenningOctober 4, 2024celebrate, life feels like a chore, working mom, goals

The Secret to Being a More Patient and Present Mom

We think of patience as a skill. Something we need to learn and practice. Something that parenting experts can help us with by providing the phrases and scripts to use in those frustrating situations. But you could have the best strategies, phrases, or skills and still react impatiently if you're overwhelmed.

Transitioning from Work to Home as a Working Mom

Do you find yourself rushing from one thing to the next? Grabbing your to-go mug of coffee while putting on your shoes and asking everyone if they've gone potty while you rush out the door with zero seconds to spare. Or slamming the laptop closed as soon as you hit send on that last email as you rush to not be the last parent at pick-up today. It's not that you mismanage your time. It's that there's just so much to squeeze in. And you want to get as much out of your time as possible.

How to Set Better Boundaries as a Working Mom

The best time management strategies won’t make a difference if you don’t first know how to set boundaries. I know, I know. It's not what you wanted to hear. You wanted to hear that implementing Trello for your to-do list is going to change your life. That time blocking is the best way to get more done. Or that I have a strategy for keeping up with your inbox so that nothing falls through the cracks. And while I do have ideas and proof of tools that I've seen work for the hundreds of women I've coached, before any of those things will work for you, you have to learn the skill of setting and maintaining boundaries.

Is Working "Worth It" When You're a Busy Mom?

Do you love your job? I'm curious if that answer has changed over the years. I know it has for me, especially after having kids. Before I had my oldest child, I worked because frankly, I was ambitious. After working hard for my degree and taking risks to get internships and move to new cities, I wanted to put it all to good use.

Are You All Work and No Play?

I never used to describe myself as a "fun mom". Or even just a fun person! That just wasn't me. I've always felt like I was more serious than others, even as a kid, and grew up feeling "blue" more than not. After my first child was born, I was diagnosed with postpartum depression and I remember worrying that he would turn also out to be a serious kid because he rarely saw me smile. And that broke my heart.

What Are Your Working Mom Priorities?

The way I coach on priorities is that they are just another tool that can help you be intentional with your time. In the same way that a planner or project management app can help you manage your time. If you want to have fun with it, start by asking yourself a few simple questions.

Creating a Life That Feels Like You

You deserve a life that feels fresh and exciting, like a pair of tropical pants that turn heads and elicit compliments. But you have to be willing to try on something new. And then have someone there who can tell you - That is SO you. In 1:1 coaching we create your version of the tropical pants life.

Here's Your Permission to Work Less

I feel very strongly that one of the ways I was able to create better work life balance for myself, was by reminding myself of this very thing. My 70% is someone else's 100%. That acknowledgement gave me permission to breathe. To slow down just a little. To stop hustling so hard.

Instead of "This Too Shall Pass", Say This

When life feels tough, you know what you don't need to hear? "This too shall pass" or "It could be worse" or "What're you gonna do?" What you need to hear is something more like that sucks. Or maybe - that’s so hard. That might not be what you thought I was going to say but hear me out. This is actually grounded in parenting psychology.

When You Feel Like You're Not Doing Enough as a Working Mom

Questions are just your brain being curious. And that's a good thing! It's when you let those questions fester and sit unanswered, that's when you start to question yourself. So if you're feeling doubtful or guilty about anything in your life right now, find the question that needs to be answered and answer it.

Why The Term "Mom Guilt" Is Making You Feel Worse

As I was coaching a client recently on her feelings of mom guilt, we decided to try out a different word. One that doesn't come with so much weight and the thought that you've done something wrong. We swapped guilt for doubt. Mom doubt. (or just doubt because not everything we experience as moms has to be labeled with the word "mom". No one ever says "dad guilt".) Doubt doesn't mean you've done something wrong. It means you're unsure.

Working MomKatelyn DenningJune 15, 2023mom guilt, managing mom guilt, mindset, managing your mind