Being a working mom isn’t easy—but for most of us, we wouldn’t have it any other way. While some look upon working mothers with disdain, more women than ever before are opting to fulfill their career dreams while raising a family.
Doing this takes a lot of love, work, and of course, dedication. You also have to have support of those around you. Having a spouse and/or family that can rally around you and be there for you is key to being a successful working mama. Most of us have this in place, but are missing a critical piece of the puzzle—a tribe that can give you support and encouragement when you need it.
I recently spoke to ten moms, and only three of them said they have a strong support system outside of their families. When it comes to being able to talk to someone about the challenges of working motherhood, or seeking advice from a fellow mother who is going through the same thing, there is nothing like a support tribe to talk you off the ledge or assist you with your questions, or to just listen without judgment.
If you are a working mother looking to find your support tribe, I’ve got a few tips for you:
Join a Facebook Communities or LinkedIn Groups
Social media is a wonderful place to find people just like you who are looking for kinship and support. Facebook and LinkedIn are full of groups for working mothers, and that could be a great place to tap into a community. If you aren’t able to find one of your own, you could create one yourself, and invite other working moms to it and build a strong connection for those of you looking to find a support tribe.
Mix and Mingle In Real Life
Take the online life offline and mix and mingle a bit in your area or city. Attend events that are geared toward working moms and gals with goals, and create relationships within those events that extend to helping one another achieve goals through support and action.
Work It
When I was an HR professional, I always preached never mix business with pleasure. Ten years later, I feel the same way, but there are a few exceptions. Having allies in the workplace can also work as a support tribe for you inside and outside of the job. Who better understands your workplace culture and the current workflow than someone you work with?
Of course, you have to properly vet your workplace tribe, and I would spend several months getting to know them before you add them to your support system. But, if they help you get through the workday and is someone you can rely on outside of the workplace, it can be a win/win.
Orgs and Memberships
Are you member of a trade or professional organization? These types of groups usually have local chapters, who have regular meet-ups and events. Tap into those organizational gatherings to find your tribe—-there’s a lot of quality kinship there.
Simply Ask
Let me add that a support tribe doesn’t just have to be other working women. An ally or supporter can be someone of the opposite sex as well. One of the best ways to add to your tribe is to simply put it out there. Take your prospective tribe member to lunch and ask them if they would be on your support team. Most people who care a great deal about you and have your best interests at heart won’t say no—and they will be there for you when you need them.
It is my goal as a Working Mom Advocate that you find your support tribe, and utilize them when you need them to in order to grow at work and at home. I don’t know what I would do without my tribe and go-to team who I can vent to, run ideas by, and simply lean on in times of need.
How do you plan to find your support tribe?
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