If you’re a mom who struggles to find the best possible balance between caring for your children and getting ahead at work, you’re not alone. Many mom entrepreneurs find it difficult to attain the ideal work-life balance between family and professional responsibilities, and may end up feeling burned out or stressed about both. Although it may take some time to work towards your ideal balance, you can start making progress by making a few basic changes today. Here are some ideas that could help you split up your time in the way you feel is best for yourself and your family.

Communicate Your Work-Life Boundaries To Your Higher-Ups Early On

In some cases, moms may worry that communicating their boundaries to their boss could lead to professional consequences. However, much of the time, open lines of communication can actually help alleviate stress and mom guilt. Your boss will likely appreciate being kept in the loop! Make sure you:

• Explain your work boundaries to your boss as soon as possible
• Set strict limits on the hours you spend in the office and try to stop work at the same time every day
• Inform your work colleagues of your other responsibilities when necessary

Stay Organized To Avoid Headaches and Schedule Disruptions

Keeping both your home and your office organized can help cut down on time wasted on busy work and may help you stick to a regular schedule. For instance, you could:

• Make a prioritized list of to-do items every day to stay focused
• Let go of perfectionism and concentrate on the most important tasks you have to get done
• Keep your house and your office as organized as possible to minimize time spent searching for everyday items
• Establish a regular weekly work schedule and avoid working overtime if possible

Schedule Regular Family Time Like You Would Schedule a Work Event

If your work often takes priority and you find yourself having to skip family time, you may want to start scheduling family time as you would any other work event. You can apply this strategy to:

• Weekend getaways
• Yearly family vacations
• After-school clubs and other activities
• Volunteering for charity work together

Managing to effectively balance family time and professional duties is a challenge even for the toughest and most seasoned mom entrepreneurs. If finding your ideal work-life balance or making that balance a reality has been difficult for you, changing your approach could help. Try to communicate concerns to your higher-ups, get organized at home and at the office, and pencil in quality family time on a regular basis.