Becoming a new mother is arguably the most life-changing experience you can go through. It’s a time of joy, excitement, and happiness. But, if we’re being honest, new moms know that it can also be extremely overwhelming and draining.
It’s not easy to balance every aspect of your life when you’ve just had a baby. Unfortunately, that balancing act becomes even more difficult when you’re trying to pursue an education and/or stay on track with your career.
Having a partner in your life can help. They can take on their share of parenting responsibilities. But, then you might be faced with not giving enough time or attention to your relationship.
If it all sounds stressful, hit the pause button and take a deep breath.
Let’s look at some solutions for organizing your time as a new mother. It starts with prioritizing yourself and your health. When you make self-care a habit, you can focus on things like education and career goals. It might be a balancing act, but it’s one you can handle while enjoying a happy, healthy life.
Finding a Work-Life Balance
It can be a great idea to continue your education or choose to go back to school at any age. But, after having a baby, your educational goals (and even your career goals) might feel like they need to be put on hold.
That isn’t necessarily true.
One way to pursue your education as a new mother is to consider online coursework or finding a school that will allow you some flexibility. Schools that offer flexible schedules make it a lot easier to study, work, and be a mom all at the same time. And, the benefits of pursuing a degree as a new mother are practically endless, especially if you have professional goals you want to reach. You’ll be setting a positive example for your child, you can grow in your career, and as a person. A thirst for knowledge is never a bad thing.
If you’re considering going back to work after having a baby, the same options might be available. Now, more than ever, working from home has become the norm. Talk to your boss about the possibility of remote work. Or, if you’re looking for a job, consider part-time options or specifically look for careers that will allow you to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Rejuvenating Your Relationship
Having a baby with someone is an intimate experience that can bring you closer together as a couple. But, once the baby is born, real life can hit you like a ton of bricks. It’s not uncommon to face relationship issues after having a child, including:
- More domestic duties
- Conflicting parenting styles
- Less sexual intimacy
- A lack of couple time
Working on all of those areas is important, but you can start by devoting more time to each other. Finding the time for a date night can feel impossible as new parents. But, do what you can to make it happen, even if you both have to write it down in your schedules. If you don’t want to be away from your little one, there’s no reason you can’t have an incredibly romantic date at home after the baby goes to bed. Get creative with a movie night, an indoor campout, or get in the kitchen together for homemade pizzas.
It’s not about going out for a fancy dinner, it’s about reestablishing your connection as a couple and finding time to relax together. Finding time to have a date night at least once a week will keep your relationship strong and stable when things get hectic.
Taking Time for Self-Care
You won’t be able to give yourself completely to work, school, or your new baby if you don’t first take care of yourself. A new parent loses an average of 109 minutes of sleep a night for the first year after their baby is born. When you’re already exhausted during the day and have a huge list of other things to handle, it’s impossible to do your best with any of it.
Getting enough sleep is important. If your baby is getting up throughout the night, try to take naps during the day when they’re resting. Or, ask your partner to take over for a while so you can get the sleep your mind and body need.
It’s also crucial to practice self-care. That goes far beyond having 20 minutes to take a shower or get in a quick cat nap. Self-care is about doing something every day that helps you to feel relaxed and more like yourself. That looks different for everyone, but some of the most popular forms of self-care include:
- Exercising
- Practicing mindfulness
- Reading/journaling
- Cooking a healthy meal
- Yoga
When you take some time to prioritize your mental and physical health, you’ll be more alert and present in other areas of your life. It can even help to strengthen your bond with your child since you’re more likely to be available and distraction-free.
Balancing education, going back to work, and your relationship as a new mother isn’t always going to be easy. But, by setting your priorities, staying organized, and taking care of yourself, you can find that sweet spot and meet your goals along the way.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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