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Working Moms – 5 Tips for Balancing the Pressures of Work & Family

July 18, 2018 by Painter Mommy Leave a Comment

Balancing your work life with being a mom can be overwhelming at best, and sometimes it can seem like there aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done. However, being a great mother while holding down a job is possible – countless moms have done it before, and you can too. Here are 5 tips to reduce stress on yourself and make your life as a working mom easier:

Photo by Jurien Huggins on Unsplash

Investing In Proper Childcare

One of the most significant concerns of every mother is the safety of their children. Establishing a good childcare system comprising nannies, babysitters, and child care centres will help to ease the tension. Opt for daycare centres that are closer to your home or office, which will make it easier for you or your partner to rush there in case of any problems. Do your research thoroughly and choose a centre that is highly recommended by other parents, has employees with the necessary training and certifications, offers flexible hours, and is equipped with proper medical facilities.

Communicate With Your Employer

Many working mothers are scared to have an open discussion with their employers, with fear of ridicule, rejection, or losing their job stopping them from openly communicating their issues. However, to expertly manage both work and home pressures, it’s imperative to have an open channel of communication with your higher-ups. Many a time, the mother is the primary contact for nannies and daycare centres to call in case of emergencies, which means you may have to leave the office at a moment’s notice. Or, you may have to work from home or skip a day because your child has fallen ill suddenly. Talking about these issues with your employer is essential. Assure them that you will make up for the lost hours by either working during lunchtime or on weekends.

Tech For Good

We are living in a highly connected world where everything has gone digital. Take full advantage of all the technology available at our disposal. Ordering groceries online, getting food delivered, and using doorstep laundry services will free up your time for other pressing family issues. There are also numerous mobile apps that you can use to arrange babysitting services and even book doctor’s appointments.

Plan Beforehand

Sorting tasks for the next day after a tiring shift at work can be arduous, but taking that extra 20 minutes every night to organize your child’s clothing, plan meals, and schedule tasks and appointments for the next day can help ease up your mornings. This will ensure that you’re not hurried and frustrated when you step out to face the day.

Don’t Feel Guilty

Mother’s guilt is a universal phenomenon. Trying to adhere to antiquated societal expectations of how a mother should behave can invoke a sense of guilt in many women, who are often torn between wanting to spend more time with their kids and work commitments. Don’t give in to the pressure, and think about the positives of being a working mother. It makes you financially independent and boosts your family income while giving your kids a strong role model to look up to. Moreover, your children will always be your priority, and that knowledge itself should free you from any guilt.

Being a working mother is not easy, and now and then you may need to take a break to recuperate and rejuvenate. Most importantly, don’t forget to give yourself a pat on the back for making a tough job look effortless.

Safety First – 5 Ways to Keep Safe at Home and in the Office

January 8, 2018 by Painter Mommy 2 Comments

Nearly everything used in a home or office operates on an electrical current. Electrical equipment carries a risk of burn or shock if used or maintained incorrectly. Shock and burn injuries occur when any part of the body touches an electrical circuit. An electrical current travels through the body causing pain, damage, and even death.

To protect your household members, guests, or coworkers from electrical injury, teach them right and ensure that your home or office is safe from potential electrical hazards.

Be Smart About Outlet Use

No matter whether you’re at home or in the office, there never seems to be enough places to plug in all the electronics we use every day. For this reason, it’s common for people to overload the outlets they have. Unfortunately, this dangerous practice can result in a fire. Rather than endangering yourself and others, consider hiring a commercial electrician in Melbourne to install the additional electrical outlets you need to ensure that all your appliances and devices can operate safely.

Learn How to Use Extension Cords and Power Strips

It’s tempting to plug two extension cords into each other to reach an outlet, or to plug one power strip into another to give yourself more options, but both these practices can have devastating consequences.

While it is completely possible to plug two extension cords into each other, you must first look at the tag on each to determine if they can handle the load set forth by the device(s) you intend to plug into them. Using cords rated less than ideal for the devices you plug into them can cause them to overheat. The same holds true for plugging multiple power strips into each other. If you are unable to determine the proper load for the cords you are using, err on the side of caution and don’t plug them into each other.

Don’t Cover Cords With Mats or Rugs

Another fire hazard is the practice of covering exposed wires and cords with rugs or mats to reduce tripping hazards. While this achieves the intended purpose in most cases, it creates another more dangerous situation. Take the time to eliminate this fire and tripping hazard by running all cords along the wall instead of through a walkway.

Unplug Electrical Devices and Equipment Before Maintenance or Repair

While this sounds like common sense, you’d be surprised by the number of people who wind up spending their day in the emergency room each year with shocks and burns resulting from failure to disconnect electrical equipment before servicing. A reliable rule of thumb here is to unplug the appliance, then double check that you have in fact done so before beginning any repair or maintenance work.

Don’t Ignore the Warning Signs

If you notice a hot cord or plug, or you hear a strange noise (a hum, or buzz) coming from a piece of electrical equipment, or it sparks or smokes when you plug or unplug it, immediately remove it from operation and don’t use it again. In some cases, you might be able to have it fixed. However, your safest bet is to replace it. It’s tempting to try to continue using a faulty piece of equipment, especially if it’s expensive to repair or replace. However, doing so could result in even more expense and heartache if the device catches fire.

Using electricity is no joke. Most of us take it for granted, but the reality is, it’s dangerous if not used correctly and respectfully. Following the five tips above will help keep you safe at home and in the office.

Ideal Vacation Holiday Destinations for the Whole Family

May 23, 2014 by Painter Mommy Leave a Comment

This is a partnered post…

A family holiday is the perfect way to relax and unwind away from the pressures of the modern rat-race. All inclusive family holidays are becoming more prevalent nowadays because of the number of people who want to bond with those who are dear to them and enjoy quality time with each other.

Why choose an all-inclusive deal?

Taking your family away on holiday can be an expensive business. Not only do you have to think about the flights, accommodation and meals, but extras such as drinks or children’s activities, can rack up the cost alarmingly quickly. You don’t want the hassle of counting your pennies every time the kids want a drink, so an all-inclusive deal gives you the peace of mind of knowing exactly how much your holiday will cost.

Holidays in Africa

There are many destinations in Africa which are ideal for families. For example, an all-inclusive holiday in The Gambia guarantees unbroken sunshine and glorious temperatures. Only six hours flying time away, and with no jet lag to worry about, Gambia has beautiful beaches, luxurious hotels, and plenty of interesting excursions to offer.

Holidays in Brazil

A holiday in Brazil is an unforgettable experience. The modern city of Rio de Janeiro has the iconic Copacabana and Ipanema beaches to enjoy. For a more traditional feel, Salvador boasts colonial architecture, as well as stunning beaches. And of course, the natural beauty of the untamed jungle, with its breathtaking hosts of wildlife, is sure to delight any family.

Holidays in The Caribbean

With sun-kissed tropical beaches and crystal-clear seas, the the Caribbean is a matchless family destination. Luxury hotels offer wonderful facilities including pools with panoramic views, water parks, kids clubs and much more. Sports activities, cocktail bars, and buzzing nightly entertainment are all provided, so you can be sure that adults and children alike will have a fantastic time.

Holidays in Costa Rica

With all-inclusive deals to suit every budget, Costa Rica is the ideal spot for families wanting sun, sea and sand. Surrounded by a unique volcanic landscape as well as tropical rainforest, this is a great choice if you are looking for somewhere a little unusual. With all the facilities you would expect from family hotels Costa Rica is hard to beat.

So if you are looking to build a store of family memories, why not opt for an all-inclusive holiday that your family will remember for years to come?