Long Working Hours for New Moms, Retired Moms and Simply Tired Moms? Enough!

Sometimes we just can't work the long hours at various times of our lives.  Those who are closest to us may have seen our moods fluctuate, our bodies do some interesting things, and most of all grow distant from them.  There was a time where 50 to 60 hours a week is what we did, but as we grow older, things change!

Making your family and close friends understand your plight can be a losing battle when they lack understanding and have grown to rely on you to meet their financial needs.  The key here is not to persuade them into believing how tired your mind and body are, but to simply do what you can handle for the time being.  In order to do that, you will gradually spend less money and time on them.  Actions always speak louder than words!  You jump right into your plan after you communicated, "I just can't do what I used to do...so here is the new plan."

Selfish people will find fault, have their temper tantrums, and may not like you very much Mom, so get ready!  But you are weary and stressed out from being all things to everyone.  Is your health worth risking to put a smile on a nonchalant spouse or child's face?  There is nothing you can do once in the grave, so they might as well learn how to get along without you.

Maybe your situation isn't that bad now, but it is headed that way.  You feel something a bit different inside and you can't explain it.  You may have to schedule a doctor's appointment sooner rather than later.  In the meantime, you can do the following when it comes to work:

1)  Be creative in getting tasks done and don't do so many at a time.  Leave the multi-tasking for the young and the stronger.  Delegate responsibilities!

2)  As you start to notice you are getting better, approach your employer about a split-share program.  Simply put, you would like to share your 40 hour shift with a fellow unemployed mother.  This way you are not working eight hours a day, but four.  You can also mention making your current role part-time if there is often not a lot to do or you can finish your work at home.  If your employer doesn't think your suggestions are reasonable, start looking for true part-time employment.  Too many companies start off giving part-time hours for little pay only to turn you into full-time when someone leaves.  Remember your health is more important than long hours and more pay!

3)  Find out if your partner is willing to make extra money working part-time on weekends.

4)  Children 15 years and up can work.  Encourage them to make their own money on or offline.  Stop paying for their extracurricular activities and putting away for college.  Talk with a relative who might be able to help with their college savings account.

5)  If you find out that your health is failing fast, ask about home care or what health plans are offered that you can be able to stay at the hospital for awhile.  Too often ill patients rush to get back home before they are well only to have more complications.  Being at home to recover with family isn't always the best option.

6) Evaluate your debits and credits and find out how you can reduce some costly expenses.  Work smarter not harder!  You can check out a video I created on varied income streams.

7)  If you have a personal faith, pray!  Ask others to pray for you as well.  You can check out my playlist on YouTube with prayers.

Consider your health comes before wealth this new year!

Nicholl McGuire is the author of Spiritual Poems by Nicholl and other books.  She is also the owner of this blog.