Hey y’all! It’s officially summer (as of two weeks ago), and as usual my blogging schedule is all over the place. As most of you know, I put up my stay at home mom hat to return to work a few months ago. Long story short, the struggle has been all too real! Not only do I have to wake up at the crack of dawn everyday, but I also have to deal with people for eight hours a day. Add having to get dressed and wear a bra to that, and the problem is clear as day.
This blog post is sponsored by JORD Watch. As usual, all opinions are my own.
For me, the hardest part about going back to work has been time management. Waking up in time to get both kids dressed, fed, and out of the door has definitely been a task. I recently partnered with JORD Watch and my new watch has been a life saver. I received the Cassia Walnut and Vintage Rose, and not only has it helped me keep up with the time, but it is absolutely beautiful. Perfect for the workplace and/or a night out on the town. You can click here to visit their website.
Going back to work after being a stay at home can be a bit scary. It wasn’t something that I really wanted to do, but it was a necessary step for me and the girls. Below are a few tips for any stay at home mom currently planning on making the transition back into the work place.
Plan all outfits the night before
I am the QUEEN of procrastination. It’s nothing new for me to wake up in the morning, stare at our closets, and hope that the outfits I put together match. To save time in the morning, it’s best to have all outfits planned and ready for the next day the night before. This is definitely something that is so simple, and would save so much time in the long run.
Go to bed/wake up at a decent time.
When you have to be at work by 8 am, every minute counts. Hitting the snooze button every five minutes to get that extra sleep could be the difference between being employed and being unemployed. I make sure my girls and I go to bed by a certain time every night. It makes waking up early easier and it gives me enough time to drink my happy juice (coffee) in peace before work in the morning.
Plan all meals for the week in advance.
This is one that I’ve had yet to do, mainly because I can’t cook.For you mamas out there who aren’t culinarily challenged (yeah, I said culinarily), meal planning/prepping would be a huge help. Not only is it one less thing you have to worry about during the week, but it will save A TON of money. I’m currently working on eating healthier and having a “no spend” month, so I’ll definitely be on Pinterest looking up recipes to prep for the weeks ahead.
Use a watch/cellphone to keep track of time.
I’ve never really been a watch person. Before going back to work, my Iphone was my alarm and the only way that I kept track of time during the day. These days I alternate between my Iphone, Apple Watch, and my new JORD watch. I use my Iphone as my alarm in the morning, and I use my Apple Watch or JORD Watch to keep track of time while at work. Did I mention that JORD also sells wood Apple Watch bands? You can check them out here!
Create a cleaning schedule.
I joke all the time about having OCD, but keeping my apartment clean throughout the week hasn’t been the easiest. Dishes have gone unwashed, clothes unfolded, and the floors unswept. Finding time to tackle household chores has been almost impossible. Coming up with a cleaning schedule has been the best thing for me and my sanity. I clean for 20 minutes in the morning, 20 minutes at night (if I feel like it), and I tackle the big stuff on the weekends. Those 20 minutes may not seem like much, but they help me at least FEEL like my life is together.
Make time for you children!
I know I said I had five tips, but this is more of a necessity than a tip. Remember that why you’re transitioning back to work, your children are transitioning too. Imagine having to get used to mommy being tired after working all day. I try to spend time with the girls after dinner every night because it helps them calm down before bed. I think it’s important to assure them that even though mommy is working now, she’s still available when needed.
In addition to sponsoring this post, JORD Watch has allowed me to host a giveaway on my blog and Instagram. All entrants will have the chance to win a $100 coupon code to use on the JORD site. The best part is, all participants who enter will receive a 10% discount, so it’s a win for everyone! To enter, click here and follow the directions. Giveaway closes 8/23 at 11:59 pm!!
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Hi, I’m Chantal. I’m a mom of two, self proclaimed naturalista, and Author of Growing Girls With Curls: Short Stories For Girls of Color. Being a mom is hard. Pair that with being a single, black, millennial in America and it’s a whole different monster. Feel free to join my mailing list and follow along as I blog through this crazy thing called life.
These are some great tips if I were to ever go back to work! Thanks for sharing 💕
These are all great tips. I’m not ready to transition back into a full time working mom, I’ll wait till I get my teaching degree. It can be so hard making that transition, this is a great post to help other mamas,
Thank you, for sharing these tips! I am about to return to work as well, and these will definitely be of great help!
Author
You’re welcome, glad I could help!
You’ve got that right! It can be very scary!! It’s hard transitioning from being a SAHM and being with your babies!
Author
Tell me about it, but as moms we do what we have to do. Thanks for reading Kayla!
Great tips! Heading back to work can be hard.
Yes, yes and yes!! I am on a cleaning schedule too, 30 minutes a day plus one load of laundry to stay on top of things. Also, getting clothes and lunches/meals prepped and planned is a must! Great advice!
Author
Thanks Katie! I’ll have to add my one load of laundry to my 20 minutes. Laundry is the part I hate the most lol
Going back to work was definitely a tough one for me. I had plenty of days in which I cried while I stared at my computer at work. I would fantasies about walking out and never going back and just staying home with my little one. One day I put on my realist pants and found that staying at home was not going to work for us and so I started trying to find ways in which I could enjoy my newborn (i went back to work when my son was only a month) and have a positive work day. With time and patience my hubby and I figured out a way for me to go part time. This way we eliminated child care, I could still bring home some bacon, and I got all the time I wanted with my family. If there is one thing I can say helped me to get back to work was knowing that it was only temporary and that it was a necessity at the time. My heart goes out to all the mamas making the transition.
Author
Thank you so much for sharing your story! There are days when I want to walk out too, but I have to remember who I’m doing this for.
Awesome tips, thank you for sharing. Love the JORD watch 💕
Author
Thank you for reading!
My biggest struggle is going to sleep and waking up a decent hour. Lol. The struggle is too real for me I love your watch it so pretty. Great tips!
Author
Lol that used to be my struggle. It still is some nights.
I love the tip about creating a cleaning schedule. This sounds like it would be so helpful to me!
Author
It will change your life . That 20 minutes a day doesn’t seem like much, but it helps
These are wonderful tips! I’m a SAHM but I still use many of these when we have busy weeks ahead. Planning ahead can be a huge time-saver. I too am the queen of procrastination, but I’m working on it and it really is helpful.
Author
Thank so much Lisa!
Thanks! Great tips. I definitely need to create a cleaning schedule.
Author
Yes! It will make things so much easier .
Great tips and honestly they can be used for anyone. I find even as a stay at home mom who is on the run planning out the night before is essential to my sanity 😉
Author
Yes, I agree!
Great tips. I honestly need to do these tips. I’ve been working with all my kids and it’s still a struggle lol
Author
Thanks! You got it mama 🙂
I went back out to work after being a stay at home mom to my daughter for two years so I totally understand how tough it is! Being a stay at home mom is also what encouraged me to start blogging so I guess it helped me find my passion.
Great tips to transition!
-Amanda
Author
Thanks Amanda! I was a stay at home/work at home mom for two years and this is definitely an adjustment lol.