The Secret to Work-Life Balance

The first step to finding work-life balance is to look inside yourself and acknowledge the mixed feelings you may have about working or being a mother or the other roles that are tugging at your schedule. Are you indulging in guilt or self-pity? Now's the time to let go of those bad feelings -- and perhaps also the people who bring out negativity in you.

• The 10 Commandments for Working Moms
• Steer Clear of Negative Language
• You Know You're a Working Mom When ...
• Avoid the Common New Mom Pitfalls

The next important stage of work-life balancing is to be brutally honest when looking at your employment situation. Are you in a field where work-life is discounted as impossible? Does your employer have unrealistic demands? It might be smart to explore working elsewhere, a lateral move to a more family-friendly employer or simply negotiating a better schedule where you are now.

• What Are the Best Jobs for Moms?
• Find a Part-Time Job That Pays
• Negotiate a Flexible Work Schedule
• Is a Job Share Right for You?

You must prioritize ruthlessly to succeed as a working parent. There simply isn't enough time in the day to get everything done. So instead, pick out the most important tasks for you to do, delegate some others and let the rest go. Your children will survive their childhood without homemade cupcakes for every birthday or a hot lunch sent to school in a thermos every day.

• Start Saying No
• Streamline Your Household Chores
• Spend Less Time on Email

Possibly the most important element of work-life balance is to make the most of the time that you do have with your family and friends. Don't waste those precious moments feeling guilty or worrying about work projects or agonizing about what-ifs that you can't control. Live every moment to the fullest!

• Ideas for Making Quality Time Count
• 5 Reasons to Shut Off Work
• Have Fun With Kids of Any Age 
• Build a Strong Marriage