1. Plan well ahead

Planning is a must. Working mothers should plan their day in a way to make it as easy as possible. Uniforms, school bags and packed lunches can easily be prepared in the evening. If the children have activities after school, avoid planning elaborate dishes. Take time at the weekends to prepare food for the coming week that can easily be frozen and defrosted when needed. Buying what you really need helps avoid waste. Planning helps you include a variety of dishes throughout the week, instead of ending up always cooking the same dishes.

2. Keep a diary

Being organised helps you to avoid stress. Whenever the children bring home a note from school, jot down the date or appointment immediately in a diary or on a handy calendar. Take note of all medical appointments and always remember to take with you the hospital record book and the school's medical reports form. Include your personal appointments too and avoid changing your pampering appointments to accomodate others. You deserve to look and feel good. There is no need to feel guilty because you take time for yourself.

3. Accept a helping hand

Put your pride aside. If parents or in-laws offer to help, allow them to. Accepting a helping hand doesn't mean that you can't cope, but that you want to make the most of everything. It is better for everyone if your parents look after your sick baby while you take your son to sports training, rather than skipping the training session or taking the sick baby with you. Still, avoid overdoing it, especially if relatives help you every day either by looking after your children while you work or dropping them off at and picking them up from school. 

4. Keep calm

Mothers are our superheroes, but above all they are humans too. Overdoing things will only result in stressful situations, fatigue and exhaustion which will all take their toll on colleagues at work and family members at home. Avoid cramming your days with too many activities. Find time daily to do something that helps you relax such as going for a walk or reading a book or watching a programme on TV.  Relaxation is not optional or a waste of time.  A relaxed mind will help you deal with the daily tasks without overtiring yourself.

5. Set priorities

You can't do everything at the same time so you need to set priorities with the help of those around you.  If exams are round the corner, and your children need you there for revision, avoid spending time doing errands that can easily be postponed. If your child is sick and you have an important meeting at work, check whether someone can babysit your child before deciding to postpone your meeting.  At times, your personal appointments can be a priority especially if there are others involved.Be clear when setting priorities so that no one feels frustrated.›‹