It used to be that mothers are expected to stay at home and care for the children but today, there are in fact more working mothers than stay-at-home moms. There are working moms who have regular nine-to-five jobs while others have part-time jobs that allow them to alternate their work hours with their husband’s so there are always someone who stays home with the kids. Many mothers have also taken advantage of the growing number of work-from-home opportunities that allow them to earn a living and be with their children at the same time.

For a working mom, it is very important to have an employer who is supportive and understanding. Fortunately, many companies today have programs to help working moms balance their work and caring for their children. Some even provide daycare facilities in their office buildings. If you are still in the process of looking for a job, be sure to look out for these “family-friendly” companies.

If you are new to the role of a working mom, here is some advice to help ease the load:

1.) Delegate tasks. This concept is done at the workplace and should also be done at home. Assign your kids chores that are appropriate for their age. This does not only lessen the things you have to do but also teaches them responsibility. In addition, talk to your husband (not nag) about sharing some of the chores at home. For example, if you cannot expect him to cook for the family, he can certainly help out in some other way such as keeping the house clean and helping kids with their homework. This environment where everybody in the family works together and supports each other will greatly benefit your children.

2.) Most working mothers develop excellent organizational and time management skills because they usually have so many things to do on a daily basis. However, some moms develop a “superwoman” mentality that they feel distraught when they are not able to get a particular task done. It is not the end of the world if you are not able to complete your chores for the day.

3.) Get all the help you can. If a family member offers help with babysitting or running errands, take their offer. If it is necessary to ask for help, then do so. Do not feel guilty about it because it is simply not possible for you to do absolutely everything on your own every single time.

4.) Take a break. Allow yourself even just a short fifteen-minute break everyday to just relax. You can also use this time to pray or meditate.

5.) Let it out. The life of a working mom can be highly stressful so it helps to have a good friend or group of friends who will listen to you and support you. You will also find it helpful to keep a journal. Writing down all your thoughts and emotions is very effective in helping deal with stress.

Many mothers with young children who are thinking about going back to work and enrolling their child in daycare are concerned about how it will affect the development of their child. Some studies suggest daycare may not be good for children while others indicate that it helps develop a child’s confidence and independence.

Aside from the quality of the daycare facility being a major factor in this issue, keep in mind that what will ultimately influence the kind of person your child will grow up to be is the kind of parent you are. If you can successfully balance your job and being a mother, then you become the ideal role model to your children.