Do you remember your childhood summer holidays, when the days were filled with a choice of fun-packed activities or long, lazy lie-ins? Now you’re a mum, it is much more likely that your children’s summer holidays are going to consist of a frenzied attempt at trying to juggle work commitments and fulfilling childcare needs. Top this off with a big helping of Guilt and your dread for this time of year begins!

The summer holidays can be especially difficult for mums trying to maintain a good work/life balance. Try to make a change this year and at the top of your overwhelming Summer Holiday To Do List write, “I am happy with my childcare decisions!”

If you are struggling to eliminate your feelings of guilt entirely, try to see if you can alter your working options. Many employers allow their staff to work flexi-time, allowing you to take time off during holidays in exchange for working weekends. You could also share out your time off with your partner: they could take the first week off, you the next and both together for the final week. That leaves just a short time left to fill with childcare options.

Whenever those pangs of guilt set in, just remember that women all over the world are in the same situation as you. You may be a working mum who missed school sports day due to an important meeting or you might be a stay at home mum who was late to collect your child from playgroup. Whatever your circumstances, life as a busy mum is not easy!

Deciding to return to work after having children is not an easy decision. This is also true of stay at home mums who choose to give up their careers to look after children full time. However you decide to lead your life, you must be happy with your decision. Try not to keep justifying your reasons for working or staying at home: whatever you decide to do will ultimately allow you personally to give the best to your family.

Should you need to organise childcare during the school holidays – or at any other time – you must remember that many studies have shown that the development of children does not suffer if their mother is not their sole carer. The best advice when choosing a childcare provider is to opt for one that understands and acts in accordance with your values. That way you will be able to consistently parent your children even if you are unavailable to do the school run.

Sometimes it is good to evaluate why you are feeling guilty about your decisions about childcare. By re-assessing your situation, you may realise that your childcare provider isn’t living up to the standards you expected they would. You may want to reconsider your work/life balance by opting to work flexi or reduced hours. Or you may be giving yourself a hard time by trying to live up to the expectations and ideals of other people. Aspiring to live according to other people’s values will leave you exhausted and completely unfulfilled, simply because you are not living the life you truly want to lead, but that of someone else’s!

At the heart of the issue of guilt is the fact that many women are trying to achieve Superwoman status. At Empowering Mums we know that a Superwoman status does not exist: it is an objective that is impossible to achieve. Mums should be able to accept that doing their best is good enough. Once you stop expecting so much of yourself, your guilt and any other anxieties will start to dissipate. Once you realise that you can enjoy a good, successful working life balanced with a happy, fulfilled family life these negative thoughts and feelings will vanish altogether, leaving you to look forward to simply enjoying quality time with your children at a time that suits you.

Start your journey today – achieve confidence, balance and clarity for an easier, happier life!

Empowering Mums is on a mission to empower a million mums and mumpreneurs just like you with greater confidence, balance and clarity to activate your infinite capabilities within! Enabling you to enjoy an easier, happier life alongside running a highly successful business. Aligned with enjoying time out for an essential self-care routine that fulfils your own needs and delight in quality time spent with your children being the mum you really want to be!

For further support please contact Empowering Mums today on 01606 334 015, alternatively visit our website at www.empoweringmums.com for more information.