Work Life Balance For Working Mums: How To Delegate At Home

Delegation is one of those lovely words that sound wonderful in theory, however, in practice leads to more headache than if you'd just knuckled down and done it yourself. Ever asked a partner to put the washing away only to find that everything was put not only in the wrong places but was shoved into the available space in a way that would make space-ready freeze dried food jealous? Part of you suspected that this tactic was employed to ensure you never enlisted help for this project ever again - and let's face it - it worked!

Follow these guidelines to ensure that delegation, going forward, makes your life as a working mum simpler and easier.

1. Give a deadline and allow that deadline to run. As a working mother, you are used to living life in the fast lane. An oft used coping mechanism in busy, hectic lives is a 'must do now' attitude. This is manufactured over time, when experience has told you that anything put off until tomorrow will invariably add to the pile of all the urgent things that crop up unexpectedly each day that needs our full attention. What this means is that upon delegation of a task, when it is not completed within your timescale (right now) you feel the urge to get it off the list and end up doing it yourself. This is not fair on you and certainly not fair on the person delegated to. They will simply learn that if they leave it long enough, it magically gets done. Instead, work out a realistic deadline, communicate that deadline and back off until that deadline passes, if, indeed, it does. You'll find initially that things won't really happen until the deadline nears, but overtime this will cease to be the case.

2. Accept that your way may not be the only way. (Although, let's face it, it's often the best!) Micro managing the tasks delegated in order to ensure that they are completed to your high standards, may often see the jobs land right back at your feet. Understand that you have had time and a lot of practice ensuring everything is just how you like it, the person you have delegated to, has not. You never know, they may even find a better more efficient solution. Give them space and only offer advice when they ask for it. When they get into the groove, they will feel ownership for the task and therefore more willing to complete it without your request.

3. Reward positive behaviour. This not only goes for your children but for your partner also. Even though your mind set may be that they ought to be pulling their weight around the home, their belief may still be that doing chores is a favour for you. Resist the urge to react to this attitude, and breathe, smile graciously and magnanimously thank them for all their effort. Tell them how much it is appreciated. Rewarding their attempts will reinforce the behaviour until it is, in their minds, considered a role they should undertake regularly. This can only improve your work life balance as a working mum.

With these three steps, you are sure to have an easier time delegating around the house.