As working professionals, striking a balance between the demands of a career and parenting can be a daunting task. From managing the stresses of meeting sharp deadlines to raising one’s children, trying to juggle these worries often results in burnout, with many parents even choosing to drop out of the workforce. That being said, learning how to balance these two distinct worlds by adjusting one’s habits and expectations can be the answer to this problem.
1. Leverage one’s strengths
One’s professional skills can play a crucial role in managing one’s home life as well. Think about what one is good at work—whether it is organization, creativity, planning, or team management. Use these strengths to guide home life as well. For instance, those with a creative bend of mind can devise new, unusual ways to keep their children occupied, while organized parents can create lists to keep track of everything. Relying on these skills will help one feel more confident and find success as a working parent.
2. Have a vision for the future
Just as one has professional goals, it helps to have a clear vision for one’s family’s future. These goals may vary for different working parents depending on their situation. For some, it may involve dedicating a couple hours a day for their children, while for others, it may be never to miss important events like school functions or parent-teacher meetings. Irrespective of the goal, writing it down can make it feel more realistic and give one the confidence to bring it to reality.
3. Seek help from the support system
“It takes a village to raise a child”—the age-old adage still rings true! Trying to do too much alone can quickly result in frustration and burnout. Instead, when feeling overwhelmed, seek help from one’s support system, which may include family, friends, and even professional babysitters.
4. Create a ‘Plan B’
There’s no telling when an emergency may occur, whether on the personal or professional front. No matter the situation, it is always wise to have an alternative plan in place. For instance, it may be worthwhile to have contact information for multiple babysitters or child care centers or to delegate professional tasks whenever required. Having a backup plan can be instrumental in helping working parents reduce stress and improve performance.
5. Rely on the 5% solution
Many people attempt extreme measures to achieve work-life balance, such as working part-time. Instead, it may be better to negotiate family-friendly professional arrangements, such as working from home or flexible job hours.
Another small but thoughtful adjustment one can make is by leaving early on important family days, such as a game or a recital, or heading home from any flight that lands after 2 p.m. While these measures might feel small, their impact can be mighty. They will only take up 5% of one’s time, which shouldn’t hamper work productivity while still allowing one to show up for their children whenever necessary.
6. Set clear boundaries between work and home
In order to achieve work-life balance, parents should enforce clear boundaries between their job and home. While at home, put the laptop away and remain focused on the family. Similarly, when at work, try to keep the attention focused on the task at hand.
Many working parents have trouble leaving their work behind after a shift. To put this thought into practice, they can follow several practices.
- Review the professional tasks before leaving the workplace.
- Call the partner or children on the way home to learn how their day is going and to begin the transition from work to home.
- Set a routine one can follow upon reaching home that marks a clear end to the work day and the start of family time. This could be as simple as changing out of work clothes into something more comfortable and relaxed.
Additionally, it is important to take intentional steps to set and maintain boundaries at work. There are various ways to achieve this.
- Include work hours in the email signature.
- Avoid responding to emails and messages or attending meetings outside of work hours.
- Tackle more challenging tasks at the start of the day instead of leaving them for the end. This helps avoid last-minute stress.
- For those working from home, create a separate, dedicated workspace away from the family’s preferred hangout spots.
- Use the calendar to its fullest extent—block time for activities such as picking up the children from school, cooking dinner, helping with homework, or other activities whenever necessary.
- Limit unwanted distractions, such as scrolling through social media.
7. Find quality childcare
For working parents, leaving their children at home or daycare can be nerve-wracking. This might be even more difficult for first-time parents. To make this process easier, one must find reliable childcare solutions for working parents, like professional babysitters or childcare centers, so they can ensure that the child is in a safe and supported environment. If possible, one may also enlist their trusted family members’ help with childcare during the day.
While parents will learn to manage the guilt of being away from their children, sending the little ones to childcare centers can work wonders for their development—they will be surrounded by children of the same age and engaged in learning new skills, interacting, and asking questions throughout the day. This will also give them a sense of independence, setting the right precedent for the future.