Survey: Working Moms Want the Gift of Time

By Mary Delaney, Chief Sales Officer for CareerBuilder.com

Forget candy and flowers, working mothers just want more time according to a CareerBuilder.com survey. One-in-four working moms said they are dissatisfied with their work/life balance and are actively seeking jobs that will provide them with more flexibility, and some will do it at any cost. Fifty-two percent of working moms say they are willing take a pay cut to spend more time with their children, a significant jump from 38 percent last year. Nearly one-in-ten are willing to take a pay cut of 10 percent or more.

Workloads and demanding schedules are taking away from critical quality time at home and special occasions. One-in-ten say they bring work home three to five days a week. Thirty-eight percent admit to missing at least two significant events in their children's lives in the last year due to work; one-in-ten have missed more than five events.

Twenty-six percent of career moms say their jobs are negatively impacting their relationships with their children. Planning ahead, prioritizing and taking advantage of flexible work arrangements can help to alleviate that tension. More than half of working moms say their companies offer flexible work arrangements, so investigate options within and outside of your organization. A vast majority of these moms say work style adjustments have not adversely impacted their career progress.

Some working moms say a simple phone call during the workday helps them feel connected with their kids. Twenty-eight percent report they talk to their kids while at work at least once a day, but 30 percent say they typically don't get a chance to call their families while at the office.

Here are some ways to help you have a healthy work/life balance without jeopardizing your family life or career:

1. Organize and compartmentalize -- Set aside one night a week or a month to get organized at work. If you take work home with you, make sure your kids don't see it. Check e-mails after bedtime. When you're home, it's all about them.

2. Be consistent -- Stick to the same routine every day, so your children know what to expect.

3. Set aside vacation days -- There are some noncompromises in life, and you should save your vacation days for those special occasions. That way, at major events like graduations, school plays, soccer playoffs, you are there and you are in the front row.

4. Create a support network -- Although you should plan to be there for those special times, emergencies are inevitable. Have a back-up "special" person (like aunt or godparent) pick up your child from daycare or attend a school event if you can't.

5. Divide and conquer -- Assign tasks to family members, so when you come home from work you don't have five hours of cleaning and grocery shopping in front of you. And appreciate the results.

6. Get involved -- Introduce yourself to your child's teacher and ask for e-mail updates on his/her progress. Volunteer your time where you can spend it with your kids, whether it's joining Scouts or coaching a team or participating at a school function.

7. Learn to say no -- Designate a certain amount of time to your community and friends and establish limits. Supermoms need a break too.

8. Don't worry about the dust -- Sure, the laundry needs to get done and dishes cleaned, but if your house isn't perfect, that's OK.

9. Plan meals ahead -- Create a weekly meal plan and aim for one trip to the grocery store a week. You'll save time and money.

10. Live close to work -- A long commute can cut into your time with your family and add unneeded stress to your day. If you can afford it, move closer to work. Or, let this be a deciding factor when looking for your next job.

Mary Delaney is the Chief Sales Officer at CareerBuilder.com and mother of three.