Last Updated on December 22, 2018 by Jessica Adams
Many people reading this will have quit their jobs to become bloggers, entrepreneurs and small biz owners. Many, women, in particular, will have felt like they have had no choice but to start working for themselves. Aside from wanting to become Solopreneurs, many women have chosen this path as a means of balancing work and parenthood.
Self-employment is a fantastic way to get the flexibility that you might need as a working parent. But for many, it’s something that for one reason or another might not be possible at the moment. In this article, we look at a few ways that parents – moms, in particular, can successfully balance the often conflicting roles of work (at the office) and parenthood.
7 Tips For Balancing
Work And Parenthood
Let Go Of The Guilt
It is really easy and completely normal to experience feelings of guilt about going out to work, especially if your child is young. You may also be feeling uneasy about him/her going to childcare or staying with relatives while you’re working.
Let those feelings go, and focus on the benefits that you are bringing to your family. First of all, you are out there, earning money to help provide the best life possible. Secondly, you are being a good role model for your child(ren), no matter how old they are.
One day they’ll know that you worked hard cared for your family. Lastly, some moms might not need to go to work for financial reasons but choose to because it carves out some time for themselves. While others may choose to work from home to do both, work and be near family.
Find Good Quality Childcare
It can be tough dropping your child off in the mornings, knowing it could be eight hours or so before you pick them up again. Choosing good quality childcare makes this process a lot easier.
Ask your network of family and friends for recommendations of nurseries, daycare centers, babysitters, and nannies. Look for providers that can offer flexibility and a low child to adult ratio.
Good outdoor space and up to date licenses, qualifications, and background safety checks are crucial. Most importantly, make sure you look for somewhere that shows genuine care and affection towards your child.
Go and check them all out in person, and try leaving your child with them for a couple of hours, about a week before you leave him/her with them. This is a great idea so that you and the childcare provider can both see if everything works for you (and the baby!).
Make Mornings Easier
How your morning goes can set the tone for the rest of the day. Start off frazzled and disorganized and the rest of the day will more than likely go the same way. Start off calm, organized and happy, and you’re guaranteed to have a better day.
The whole family needs to get involved in this by laying out outfits the night before, packing school bags, diaper bags, and lunch bags. Put your keys, any sports kits, musical instruments and anything else, by the front door, ready to grab on the way out.
Make sure your alarm is set with plenty of time to get everyone up, eat breakfast, shower and get dressed without rushing and panicking. It is also a good idea to have a run through of that day’s schedule before everyone disappears to work and school. This way everyone understands who is picking who up and from where.
Organize A Family Calendar
Having a calendar that you can all access, whether it’s a digital one, such as Google calendar or a paper one stuck to the fridge, is vital. Of course, most of how detailed you need to get has to do with how large your own family is!
Regardless of your family’s size, it’s important to share everything… From when someone in the family has a doctor appointment to when the groceries are being delivered. Your kids’ ballet practice and soccer match should also be up there, perhaps categorized in the same color for ‘activities’.
The point is to put it all down so that everyone knows exactly where everyone should be, and at what time. If you do have a larger family, you could look into painting one of the walls in a chalkboard solution, effectively turning that wall into a giant chalkboard! You’ll want to do this in whatever room you all spend the most time together (ie, family room or kitchen).
Talk To Your Employer
You might find that your employer is more sympathetic to the needs of working parents than you think. Spend some time making some notes on what you need regarding flexibility and understanding, and how you can help them out.
Remember, you need to show them that what you want won’t negatively impact their business. Research flexible arrangements that your co-workers or similar organizations have or offer. Take this to your employer or the human resources department in your workplace and see what they say.
Discuss with them what will happen if you need to leave early or can’t come in at all because your child is sick. Will you need to use up your vacation leave or sick days? Knowing this in advance can help you to put alternative arrangements in place for when the situation (inevitably!) arises.
They may allow you to start earlier so you can finish in time to pick the kids up from school, or vice versa. If you find that your employer is being completely inflexible, or worse still, treats you unfairly or dismisses you entirely for being a parent, call Brady & Associates for advice.
Make The Most Of Your Downtime
You will find those couple of hours at bath and bedtime become all that more special when you are working outside the family home all week, so make the most of them.
Online grocery shopping, bill paying or checking those emails can all wait until the children are in bed. If you can afford to, hire some outside help or outsource some chores like cleaning or gardening so you can concentrate on spending time with your family.
Create Moments For Yourself
It might not seem like it when you have to pack so much else into your week, but carving out a few minutes here and there for some self-care is essential for good mental health. After all, you can’t pour from an empty jug!
It might be going for a solo walk or jog, time at the gym, a long soak in the bathtub or just an early night with a book. Whatever it is, make sure you make time to be someone other than a parent and an employee at least once a week.
Jessica Rose Adams
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