How to Set Better Boundaries as a Working Mom

The best time management strategies won’t make a difference if you don’t first know how to set boundaries. I know, I know. It's not what you wanted to hear. You wanted to hear that implementing Trello for your to-do list is going to change your life. That time blocking is the best way to get more done. Or that I have a strategy for keeping up with your inbox so that nothing falls through the cracks. And while I do have ideas and proof of tools that I've seen work for the hundreds of women I've coached, before any of those things will work for you, you have to learn the skill of setting and maintaining boundaries.

Is Working "Worth It" When You're a Busy Mom?

Do you love your job? I'm curious if that answer has changed over the years. I know it has for me, especially after having kids. Before I had my oldest child, I worked because frankly, I was ambitious. After working hard for my degree and taking risks to get internships and move to new cities, I wanted to put it all to good use.

Are You All Work and No Play?

I never used to describe myself as a "fun mom". Or even just a fun person! That just wasn't me. I've always felt like I was more serious than others, even as a kid, and grew up feeling "blue" more than not. After my first child was born, I was diagnosed with postpartum depression and I remember worrying that he would turn also out to be a serious kid because he rarely saw me smile. And that broke my heart.

What Are Your Working Mom Priorities?

The way I coach on priorities is that they are just another tool that can help you be intentional with your time. In the same way that a planner or project management app can help you manage your time. If you want to have fun with it, start by asking yourself a few simple questions.

Creating a Life That Feels Like You

You deserve a life that feels fresh and exciting, like a pair of tropical pants that turn heads and elicit compliments. But you have to be willing to try on something new. And then have someone there who can tell you - That is SO you. In 1:1 coaching we create your version of the tropical pants life.

Here's Your Permission to Work Less

I feel very strongly that one of the ways I was able to create better work life balance for myself, was by reminding myself of this very thing. My 70% is someone else's 100%. That acknowledgement gave me permission to breathe. To slow down just a little. To stop hustling so hard.

Instead of "This Too Shall Pass", Say This

When life feels tough, you know what you don't need to hear? "This too shall pass" or "It could be worse" or "What're you gonna do?" What you need to hear is something more like that sucks. Or maybe - that’s so hard. That might not be what you thought I was going to say but hear me out. This is actually grounded in parenting psychology.

When You Feel Like You're Not Doing Enough as a Working Mom

Questions are just your brain being curious. And that's a good thing! It's when you let those questions fester and sit unanswered, that's when you start to question yourself. So if you're feeling doubtful or guilty about anything in your life right now, find the question that needs to be answered and answer it.

Why The Term "Mom Guilt" Is Making You Feel Worse

As I was coaching a client recently on her feelings of mom guilt, we decided to try out a different word. One that doesn't come with so much weight and the thought that you've done something wrong. We swapped guilt for doubt. Mom doubt. (or just doubt because not everything we experience as moms has to be labeled with the word "mom". No one ever says "dad guilt".) Doubt doesn't mean you've done something wrong. It means you're unsure.

Working MomKatelyn DenningJune 15, 2023mom guilt, managing mom guilt, mindset, managing your mind

Why "This Too Shall Pass" Is Not Helpful

If you're in a season that feels like you have no end in sight, how can you lean in? How can you make it your purpose to go all in on whatever this season requires of you? And if you read last week's email, how can you track where you are today so that your future self can see how far you've come?

How to Prioritize Your Career When You Have Young Kids

I implemented a few simple routines that I could do each week to prioritize my own career growth and ensure that I'd always at least have some ideas about where I was headed and what I was working toward.

Finding Time to Pump When You Go Back to Work

In a recent conversation with Allison Tolman on her podcast, New Little Life, we talked about prioritizing and making time for the important things as a busy, working mom, including how to fit pumping into your day-to-day life.

Working MomKatelyn DenningFebruary 20, 2023working mom, pumping mom, time, pla