Every day this month, I will be featuring an interview with a working mom just like you. It’s called A Day in the Life of a Working Mom.
We’ll learn about what she does for work, her family life, and….her tips/tricks for getting everything done.
Today’s featured Working Mom is Tanisha!
Tell us about your family:
I am an unwed (not single) mother of two fantastic children, Phazhon age 16 and Sanii age 11. I do not refer to myself as a “single mother” because our society views that label as being a mother without support of the other parent or family.
Truth is that my children have a great father that is active in their life as well as grandparents and extended family and friends who assist in guiding them into adulthood.
Where do you live?
I reside in North County of Roanoke, VA.
What do you do for a living?
I am a Behavioral Services Manager for a Private Day School. So, what does that mean? I manage the counseling component of our program for 3 out of 4 schools in Southwest Virginia.
My schools serve children from various public schools with severe behavioral issues.
I am also a part-time Clinical Social Worker at Lewis Gale Behavioral Health in Salem, VA.
How do you fit a side hustle into the mix?
I feel as though my part-time job as a Clinical Social Worker is my main “side hustle” seeing that I am there mostly 2 weekends out of a month. Fitting it in can be difficult at times. When working both jobs, I often work 17-19 days straight before a day off. That’s me “hustling.”
What is your typical day like?
I start my day with Thanking God for another opportunity to “get it right.” I try to take a moment to meditate (deep breathing and prayer) followed by making sure my kids are up and getting ready for school.
They do not require much from me, therefore I can shower, dress, do my hair and make-up, followed by work until 4ish (on a good day).
After I escape the building, my day really begins with errands for myself and often my mother, other appointments, meetings on occasion, providing taxi services for my children (as they are just as busy with sports, scouts, and church activities), going back home, laundry, dinner, and bed…at some point.
What’s the best thing about being a working mom? What’s the hardest thing?
The best thing about being a working mom, is the opportunity I have to model for other women that it can be done! I truly have a testimony about how good God is and how you can do it all if you have a drive and desire stronger than your worst obstacle.
The hardest thing is that at times I struggle to get it all in within 24 hours!
Do you experience guilt associated with being a working mom?
I am grateful that I can say that I have no guilt at this time. I feel that me being a working mom, who has worked while being a full time student, with a small child, has provided an ocular demonstration of hard work and balance for my children.
I am able to spend time with my children every day and I have barely ever missed any games, or special events. In the event that I have, they know it for a good reason and even then, they are my main priority forever and always. It certainly helps to have the support of their father and my parents who are ALWAYS there with me or in my absence.
How do you handle day to day responsibilities (meals, laundry, cleaning, chauffeuring kids, Dr. appointments, school meetings, etc.)?
I have so many people ask me, how I juggle it all while maintaining a clean house, clean car, and organized office. LOL!
I teach my kids the importance of organization and they help with household chores. My son loves to do laundry, for example.
They have responsibilities and I seize the quiet moments to stay ahead. That includes pre-planning of meals and laundry on a daily basis, to avoid the overwhelming Saturday laundry session!
I keep a calendar on my desk that I update and check daily. I set goals for each day and I take time for self-care to make sure I am better able to stay focused and healthy.
What are your top 3 – 5 tips for keeping everything together?
Prayer, honesty, self- care and having good people around you to help you stay balanced.
Pray every day for peace and the ability to do your best.
Always be honest about who you are and what you can do. “You can only be who you are, nobody else.”
As women, we are guilty of putting ourselves last and not taking the time for ourselves. You DO NOT have to look like what you have been through!
Lastly, have good friends and family members around you who truly love you and who can “pull your coat tail,” if needed.
Guilty pleasures?
Clearance and sale SHOPPING!!! From time to time, I have extreme cravings for good chocolate with almonds and strawberry shortcake!!!
Is there anything else you’d like to add that you think would encourage other working moms?
To sum it all up, I am a Black Woman who loves God, her children and family (friends included), who happens to be a working mom.
Life is about balance and if I could give one piece of advice for other working moms, it would again to be honest!!
Honest about who you are, what you can do, what you can’t do, what you like and do not like and what you want.
Pray and be thankful for the good days and the not so good days. They come to teach us and make us stronger!
What was helpful that you can apply to your work mom life?
Let me know in the comments below. If you have an extra moment, head over to give that working mom some love!
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If YOU would like to be featured, send an email to raki at outsidetheboxmom dot com. If all of the October spots have been filled, I will feature your interview in a continued series.
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