McCormack: Achieving the Ideal Work-Life Balance

What a topic, right? I mean, what mom doesn’t angst over this. I find more than ever parents are becoming creative about their work-life balance partly because they yearn for more quality time with their kids. 

For moms, developing a balance is one of the first things we deal with when we become parents but the one thing I think I’ve learned is that nothing is ever permanent. If it isn’t working then make a change. Working Mother Magazine recently reported in their survey that 82 percent of moms feel happier since becoming parents and only 4 percent are less happy. They indicate that upping the happiness factor will make you a better mom.

This week Nicole Lewis, mother of two daughters (ages 7 and 4), wife, photographer, and Isis Parenting Group Facilitator shares with us how she has worked at achieving a balance. She has a background in Early Childhood Education and Public Health Education. Nicole works at Isis Parenting as a new parenting group facilitator/instructor where she guides, teaches and facilitates groups of moms and babies through those early weeks and months. She also owns a photography business, Nicole Lewis Photography, where she specializes in on-location shoots of babies, children, families and “bellies.” Nicole is fun, sassy, and a very honest mom that likes to keep it real. 

As a mother of two and working two jobs, tell us how you have managed to develop a schedule that works for you and your family? 

All trial an error really. With my photography business I’ve done it enough to get a sense of my busy seasons, so I can schedule clients carefully.  I know in the Fall I have a surge of folks wanting pictures for the holidays, etc. so I try to keep that in mind when I’m scheduling other life things. My schedule at Isis is usually set and doesn’t change much. This set up works well for me but this all has come with experience and seeing what works, what doesn’t. Believe me, I’ve learned this by over-scheduling myself – but somehow I got through it. Owning my own business also allows me to say “no” if life gets too hectic. I like that flexibility. And each school year changes, too. My kids’ school and extra-curricular activities change yearly. So having some “control” over my schedule allows me to move with the yearly changing schedules.

Over time, how has your professional profile changed and what inspired the changes?

I think with each year I gain more experience in my professional life: both at Isis and Photography. Isis offers opportunity for professional development and we stay connected via the web with up-to-date changes and recommendations in the mom/baby world.  As for photography, I’ve honed in on my style by simply taking photos and experimenting with them. 

Have you had to make any sacrifices along the way?

Sometimes when life is super busy time with my children is sacrificed. This is a hard pill to swallow. But it’s not always like this and I remind myself that my children are seeing someone who is working hard to help support the family (fingers crossed that they appreciate this when they are older!). Plus, the time with my children then becomes more about quality and not quantity (something I tell my mamas at Isis Parenting). 

You are a business owner and instructor, so I imagine you have weeks where you have limited free time. How do you manage this?

This is something I constantly struggle with. I try to be as organized as possible but I am a work in progress in this area. I think the more organized the easier it is to predict your days but sometimes life throws you curveballs and you just have to do the best you can and roll with it.  I often joke that I need a personal assistant (or as one friend of mine says, “a wife”).

At Isis Parenting, you lead the new mothers group, what do you tell new mothers who are faced with finding a balance for the first time?

This is a topic we actually cover in the early weeks.  I recommend simplifying as much as possible - outsource and delegate!  We live in a culture now where there is more pressure on parents to do it all but that’s nearly impossible. Many people feel like failures when they can’t achieve it all. I say take a deep breath and let go of the little things. Also, make sure you carve out time for just you.  Even once a month go out with your girlfriends, or read a book, whatever it is that you love doing, find a way to schedule it in. It’s important for mamas to reset their batteries. 

A past mentor of mine said to me once when I was stressed out, “think about this time/decision and ask yourself, ‘in ten years will/how will it matter?’” So when I’m overly stressed out I think about her question, “In ten years, will it matter if the house wasn’t cleaned for a month?” or “In ten years, how will it matter that my daughter didn’t get on the bus in time?, etc.”

Another point about finding balance: (in my opinion) life is never quite in balance and if it is, it usually changes with a blink of an eye. I think finding balance is more about your state of mind: keeping things in perspective, letting go of the small stuff, getting help (even when you are prideful to ask) and finding humor in it all (or most things).

The right balance is all about what works for you and your family, so don’t feel the pressure from neighbors or mom-friends. Working Mother magazine released a new book this year called Working Moms Survival Guide by Suzanne Riss and Teresa Palagano. I think it has some great well-rounded tips for all mothers. Here’s a sneak-peak from the book and click to buy the book! 

A special thanks to Nicole Lewis for putting herself out there. We all need a bit of inspiration every once a while! Enjoy!