Have you ever found yourself torn between your career and parenthood? If you’ve been in that uncertain spot, you’re not alone. Believe it or not, most working parents struggle to juggle between parenthood and a demanding job. While it’s not unknown that the solution to this is simple, it’s executing that solution which is problematic. It isn’t a cakewalk to form a perfect balance between your well-paying job and raising your little ones. If you find yourself caught in this dilemma, it’s probably a good idea to take a step back and reevaluate your life.
While working men also find themselves in this problematic situation, it is mainly the women that fall victim to this. The reason behind this lies in the fact that women are considered to be more caring and nurturing towards their little ones. Those who find themselves caught up in a last-minute meeting at the office after working hours will know exactly what the feeling is like. You feel helplessly trapped between your dream job and not being able to be there for your kids. Since learning how to manage a work-life balance is tough, we’re here to give you a few suggestions that you can implement into your daily life to alleviate the burden of trying to juggle everything at the same time.
- Put the guilt behind you- The first thing you need to do as a working parent is to move beyond the guilt. If your job demands you to be at an office, you need to know that it’s absolutely fine. You can’t be by the side of your little one all day long. Letting go of the guilt is the first step in learning how to manage work-life balance. If you find it difficult to move beyond the guilt, try reminding yourself of why you are working. Perhaps one of the main reasons is to provide a better financial standing for your family and kids so that in the future they will not be deprived of anything. Remember not to be too hard on yourself and don’t beat yourself up about doing your best for your child.
- Avoid trying to be superhuman- At the end of the day, even though you are a parent, you aren’t a superhuman who is physically and mentally capable of doing much more. The sooner you accept that you can’t always do everything, the better will be your mental health. One of the best tips for parents is to accept being human and setting realistic goals. Your daily work and parenting goals shouldn’t be out of the ordinary. While work may keep you away from your child for hours each day, it won’t stop you from having a heartfelt conversation with your little ones over dinner. Perhaps a family outing during the weekends could help in achieving a balance between work and parenthood.
- Don’t feel afraid to ask for help- If you are a working parent, chances are you will require extra help. Having another set of helping hands isn’t something that you should feel bad about. Having family help out from time to time not only ensures the safety of your little one but also allows your child the space to build a bond with your family. Asking for help isn’t a sign of not being able to manage and shouldn’t be frowned upon.
- Plan your days- One of the most useful tips for working parents is to plan for the coming week. If you have important meetings to be at or conduct, note them down. Having your work scheduled out for the coming week reduces the burden of having to mentally take note of it and do things last minute. The same goes for your parenting. Make a list of things which need to be done at home. This could include anything from taking your child to the doctor for an injection or attending a Parent Teacher Meeting (PTM) at school.
- Stay in touch- It isn’t possible for working parents to have eyes on their kids throughout the day. However, what you can do is make your child not feel your absence. This could be anything from leaving your child a sticky note at home or even a brief video call during lunch break. It isn’t uncommon for adults new to parenting to ponder how to balance work and family life. If you’re still in the process of learning how to balance work and family life, know that you’ve come to the right place.
- Family time- Just as you have to make time for work, you should also make time to listen to your kids. Children are just waiting to pour their hearts out to their parents. Having deep and meaningful conversations with your kids can save them from behavioural problems and depression. While it’s not mandatory to spend hours on end with your kids, having a bit of bonding during family time can go a long way.
- Take out time for yourself- One of the most ingenious of all work-life balance tips is to have your own space from time to time. Take out time for yourself to declutter your mind and relax your body and soul. Before you can be the best parent to your little ones, you need to have your work and life in order. Occupy yourself in a hobby or something that helps you unwind after a long day. It could be a light-hearted conversation with your spouse, friends or even just watching your favourite serial on Netflix. Having what is known as me-time is perhaps one of the best ways to offload your burden of work and create a conducive atmosphere at home for the healthy growth of your kids.
Here at EuroKids, our team of experts and qualified personnel work towards instilling a thirst for knowledge in your little ones. Our curriculum has been strategically determined to focus on the mental health and overall wellness of toddlers and children. Our learning activities are fun, interactive and provide scope for children to showcase and develop their talents. If you want to learn more about how to balance work life and parenting, you can visit our blog.
