After graduating from university, I started working in a bank, which had nothing to do with the department I studied, and worked in this sector for 12 years. However, before I quit my job, I started learning software with the support of my husband and it was my dream to work in this field. However, I had not planned to pursue this career from home, and that was the beginning of the first period in my life when I was either unemployed or at home. Although the presence of my son made the days pass quickly, I, who was used to working as a salaried team member, turned into a fish out of water. So it took me a while to learn how to balance between home, children and working from home for myself. Planning what to do and when to do it was also quite challenging at first.
Today, I am much more satisfied, I can maintain the balance and continue to produce efficiently. I wanted to share this article in case there are others in my situation. Based on my own experiences, I will try to explain how I balance work and family life.
“As a software developer mom, how do I make time for my work and my family?” This is an important question for many moms and developers. When software development, family life, household chores and personal time are involved, things can get complicated. But with the right planning and discipline, everything is possible. Based on my own experiences and practical suggestions, I will share how I balance my life as a software developer mom.
Planning is Essential for Work and Life Balance
As a software developer mom, I need good planning to balance my work and personal life. Leaving my son (2 years old) with my mom and going to the library three days a week is the most productive part of my day. Here I can focus on my work and learn about new technologies at the same time.
My study routine in the library is as follows:
- Language Studies: I always keep my brain active by practicing German and English. Keeping track of my progress in these languages gives me an advantage, especially in international projects.
- Working on Projects: I update my old projects and make innovations and improvements to projects like Penguin Academy and Minik Tarifler to make them more efficient every time. This process keeps my old projects alive and I continue to learn by adding new features.
- Stepping into New Technologies: By doing research on emerging technologies, I spend time not only learning but also practicing. For example, new features in Flutter and learning the current use of Firebasecontribute to my projects.
- Working on New Projects: I am currently developing a language exam preparation application. In this project, I am interested in technical details such as establishing Firebase connections and creating the data process.
This routine helps me to progress as a software developer while at the same time not forgetting my duties as a mother. Also, since my husband is a software developer, I get great support during project processes. Working together with my husband allows us to solve technical problems quickly and keep our motivation high.
Quality Time with Family
Nowadays, as a mother, spending time with a child can often be a very intense process, both physically and mentally. After working productively at the library, I pick up my husband from work and my child from my mother and spend quality time at home. I have developed some habits to make the most of this time.
Most of our activities at home are organized in a way that is fun with the child and at the same time instructive. The activities we do most with my child:
- Play Dough and Kinetic Sand: These activities are both creative and educational. It helps my child develop fine motor skills.
- Finger Painting: Coloring is very important for children to develop hand-eye coordination. While finger painting with my child, we have fun and I introduce him/her to art.
- Hotwheels and Lego: With these vehicles, we develop both imagination and reasoning skills. My child’s free play contributes to his/her independence.
This quality time spent with the family helps me get away from the stress of work life and re-motivates me.
How Do I Stay Motivated in Difficult Times?
Sometimes, busy schedules can make it difficult to sustain both motherhood duties and software projects. There are also moments when motivation drops. At such times, I take a short break from my projects instead:
- Reading: I start reading books to rest my mind and give myself a new perspective. Books on personal development and software, in particular, increase my motivation and provide me with new ideas.
- Puzzle Making: I relax by doing puzzles. This activity not only reduces my stress but also helps me do brain gymnastics. Thus, I think more clearly and get back to the projects.
These breaks are very useful for re-energizing. It allows me to focus better on my projects and my family.
Practical Tips for Software Moms
As a software developer mom, balancing work and life is not an easy task. However, it is possible to achieve this balance with the right methods. Here are a few suggestions for software moms:
Plan Well: Planning your day is very important in balancing work and family. Clarify both your working and resting hours.
Don’t Neglect Support: Having support from family members and your partner can help you in difficult moments. This makes it easier to manage your projects and household chores.
Take Short Breaks: Take small breaks when you lose motivation. Relax with activities such as reading a book or doing a puzzle.
Give Yourself Permission: Everything doesn’t have to be perfect. Give yourself permission and take a step back when you need to.
An Inspiring Life of Balance as a Software Mom
Being a software developer and a mother sometimes requires a difficult balance. But with the right planning, time management and support, everything is possible. With the methods I have shared in this article, you can be on your way to balancing work and family.
Thank you so much for reading.
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Selin.
