Working Mumma

Setting boundaries to help work/life balance

As working mums, we put so much pressure on ourselves and the mum guilt is real. We are trying to be everything to everyone, but often not achieving what we set out to do.
Good news – it doesn’t have to be this way.
It starts with defining what is important to you and setting boundaries around this and being confident with the boundaries you have set. As I discuss in the latest episode of the Working Mumma podcast, it is ok to say no.
What this episode covers:
* Why having boundaries are important
* What can we set boundaries for
* How can we define boundaries in our lives
* Importance of knowing your "why" in helping define boundaries
* Hints & tips to help create and implement boundaries in your life
I love this Brene Brown quote relating to boundaries “daring to set boundaries, is about having the courage to love ourselves even when we risk disappointing others”
Having boundaries helps working mums manage the many different hats we need to wear.
There is also a special announcement within this episode - you have to listen to hear what exciting news we have coming up at Working Mumma.
Continue the conversation with join the free Working Mumma Community on Facebook, connect on Instagram @workingmummacommunity or follow Working Mumma on LinkedIn. I'd love for you to leave a review and rating as well.

Keeping your relationship strong after children with Sheena Schuy

Relationships often take a back seat once we have children. Our time and priorities are focused on our kids, but as I discuss with Sheena Schuy in this week's episode, it is important to make time for "couple-care".
Sheena explains, there is so much focus on the birth plan, having a child, and preparing for a baby, many people forget about the person that helped you become a mum in the first place. The relationship between the partners came first and we can't forget this. It is what the family is built on, and a strong foundation between both parents is important to a happy and healthy family unit.
During this episode we discuss:
* How you can prepare your relationship to transition from a couple to parents (even if you already have children)
* Understanding each other's goals and the importance of supporting each other to achieve these
* Sharing the mental load in the relationship
* Discuss the concept of "United parenting"
* Tips and strategies on how to remain connected with your partner
* Knowing and understanding your partners "love language"
* Actionable steps to having a common approach to parenting with your partner
* How to improve your relationship with your partner
* Why you need more fun & rest in your relationship
I like this quote from Sheena during the episode “it’s so easy to lose yourself in parenting – both losing yourself and losing your relationship”.
We need to continuously focus on our relationship during the season of parenting to ensure we remain connected. Sheena gives great actionable tips and strategies that you can implement straight after listening with your partner.
Connect with Sheena on Instagram @savasanacollective or go to her website and access all the free resources as mentioned in the episode.
Continue the conversation with me and join the free Working Mumma Community on Facebook, connect on Instagram @workingmummacommunity or follow Working Mumma on LinkedIn. I'd love for you to leave a review and rating as well.

Tips for pumping at work

Let's talk about breastfeeding and pumping at work.
At the end of 2020, I put out a survey to working mums seeking their experiences as working parents across the stages of going on maternity leave, returning to work, and managing the juggle. The results are very interesting and I'll release the report shortly.
One topic that regularly came up was the lack of support employers gave in regards to breastfeeding and expressing at work. Many women reported that they weren't supported or provided a reasonable space which is against the law.
The decision to express at work is an entirely personal decision.
During this episode I share with you:
* Personal experience of pumping after I returned to work
* Tips for pumping after you return to work from maternity leave
* Go through 5 facts to support you in conversations with your employer regarding your wish to pump
As a working mum, I know how stressful it can be returning to work both for you and your child. Remember fed is best.
Continue the conversation and join the free Working Mumma Community on Facebook, connect on Instagram @workingmummacommunity or follow Working Mumma on LinkedIn.

Productivity tips for working mums with Hollie Barac

Time is important for everyone, especially working mums managing the juggle of career, motherhood, and self-care. Every working mum wishes they could find extra hours in the day to cross off their ever-extending to-do list. In this episode of the Working Mumma podcast, I speak with the Productivity coach and your ultimate wing woman, Hollie Barac.
During the episode, Hollie gives actionable tips, strategies, and advice on how you can be most productive and can implement these today. As Hollie explains “working mums have an innate ability to plan even if we aren’t natural planners”.
Hollie shares that productivity is not working 100 hours, it’s not being a slave to your desk. Productivity is making the best use of your time, whatever that may be. This will be different for everyone as some people are most productive in the morning, whilst others are at night. Hollie shares her experience of extreme burnout during 2020 after not taking her own advice and how she is now listening to her mind & body.
This conversation with Hollie changed my perception and thinking towards productivity. Rather than looking outward, it involves looking inward and doing what is best for you at the time.
Connect with Hollie on Instagram @holliebarac or go to her website.
Continue the conversation and join the free Working Mumma Community on Facebook, connect on Instagram @workingmummacommunity or follow Working Mumma on LinkedIn.

5 tips for sharing the mental load

Feel like you are doing everything for everyone in your family and not getting much help?
Mum's take on more of the mental/emotional load. We remember the school activities, birthdays, and what food we have run out of. No wonder we feel like we have a million things going on at any one time, it's because we do.
BUT we don't have to carry the load on our own. It can be shared with your partner or tribe around you.
In this episode I share 5 ideas for sharing the mental load.
Link to the New York Times article "Why Women Do the Household Worrying".
Continue the conversation with the Working Mumma Community
Continue the conversation and join the free Working Mumma Community on Facebook, connect with on Instagram @workingmummacommunity or follow Working Mumma on LinkedIn.

Practicing self-care with purpose Lisa Kroesche Boyce

This episode is packed with so many gems of gold and inspiration to help you, Mumma on the topic of self-care. It is a must-listen what with Lisa Kroesche Boyce, founder of The She Rebellion and she empowers women to reclaim their power with confidence and calm.
Lisa and I talk about the important topic of self-care and how as busy working mums we can take control of the actions, feelings, and purpose that drive self-care to enable you to nurture, honour and grow in yourself. As Lisa reminds us, we were a person before we became a mum and you deserve to find that person again.
Self-care doesn't need to be something that you practice for months apart. Lisa shares strategies on how to build little self-care practices into your daily routine to help you Mumma.
Tune in to hear:
* Discussion on "what is self-care"
* Lisa lifting the veil on self-care
* Why you can't give to people if you can't give to yourself
* Strategies to look inward rather than outward for self-care practice
* How to allow yourself to see what lights you up to determine what self-care strategies work for you
* Why knowledge is power
* Why women should value themselves more
* And so much more
Remember that self-care is caring for yourself - you can't pour from an empty cup.
Connect with Lisa
Lisa has also just release a book 'When I look up at my Mum I see' - A female empowerment children's picture book created to encourage open conversations with our children about who their mother is when standing in her true power as a woman. To order https://www.thesherebellion.com/book
Connect with Lisa on Instagramand Facebook.
Continue the conversation with the Working Mumma Community
Continue the conversation and join the free Working Mumma Community on Facebook, connect with on Instagram @workingmummacommunity or follow Working Mumma on LinkedIn.

How to reduce the stress of meal planning

The age-old question "what's for dinner?" is something that haunts every parent. In this episode, I share with you a simple but effective framework to help you meal plan a month in advance in under 30 minutes.
Continue the conversation and join the free Working Mumma Community on Facebook, connect with me on Instagram @workingmummacommunity or follow Working Mumma on LinkedIn.

How to approach maternity leave with confidence

This week marks a big milestone for me & that is that it's my first week of maternity leave. It's my second maternity leave & I have to say I've approached it differently from my first leave and had 2 very different experiences.
Whilst things are fresh and before I have baby number 2, I wanted to share with you tips to help you prepare for parental leave with confidence.

How to build your personal brand & progress your career with Sarah Makris

Looking for ways on how you can build your personal brand to have your dream career. Have you recently returned from maternity leave and looking to position yourself for future opportunities. Or wanting tips and advice on how you can develop your career. This episode with Sarah Makris will provide you with tips and advice on how you can do just this. Sarah helps senior executives elevate their professional brand, be recognised and valued in their industry, and attract their dream role. Throughout this podcast she helps you do just this.
During this episode we cover:
* How Sarah designed a career & business that fit around her family
* Why you should set goals at the start of the year that aren't too easy but may put you out of your comfort zone
* How to set career goals that you may not achieve in the next year, but taking steps to achieve in the next few years
* Talk about staying relevant and employable whilst having a family
* Why you should be always taking steps to build your personal brand and identity - even when you are on maternity leave
* Tips and tricks on how to use LinkedIn to develop your personal brand and value
* Suggestions on how to position yourself for part-time work
* Discuss Sarah's actionable framework on how to build your personal brand
As Sarah mentions during the podcast - if you have built your brand, you can have whatever career you want. Connect with Sarah Makris on LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/sarah-makris/ or Instagram @sarahmakrisaustralia. Continue the conversation and join the free Working Mumma Community on Facebook, connect with me on Instagram @workingmummacommunity or follow Working Mumma on LinkedIn.

Navigating identity shift and mum guilt with Taryn Wrezounik

In this episode I speak with Taryn Wrezounik - a sleep consultant, mum, wife & business owner. She is a huge believer in the power of turning inward and empowering yourself to be, do & have everything that you could dream of - as well as being a mum.
I speak with Taryn about navigating the identity shift after becoming a mum. We talk about loosing your sense of self as a new mother and how we can regain our identities. Hear how you can take steps to regain your identity and define what parenting means to you.
We also talk about mum guilt and how we can change our mindset and the stories we tell ourselves around this topic that impacts all mothers at some stage. Taryn shares strategies on how to overcome mum guilt.
I like this quote from Taryn in the episode "There is nothing to stop us from following our dreams, only our own limiting beliefs and mindset "
Connect with Taryn Wrezounik via Instagram at @themotherload_co.
Continue the conversation and join the free Working Mumma Community on Facebook, connect with me on Instagram @workingmummacommunity or follow Working Mumma on LinkedIn.