Parenthood is a profound journey, marked by countless joys and challenges. A job being added into that mix, especially a WFH job, creates a fragile balancing act that requires a lot of patience and resilience. It’s hard to juggle the responsibilities of raising kids while also trying to grow a career. But, with the right strategies and mindset, it is possible to navigate this stage of life.
1. Establish a Routine
When you work from home it is incredibly important to have a structured routine for both work and parenting. A schedule helps to manage time efficiently and creates a necessary predictability for both you and your child/children. Establishing dedicated work hours and dedicated play hours is important to do your best at work and as a parent.
Having a schedule helps you to feel less overwhelmed and more in control of your varying tasks. It helps to organise each day in a similar way to create that set routine. Deadlines, child activities and other important events should be scheduled in advance so that you know what priorities you need to meet at work while also working around your family.
I love to use planners to schedule my days and weeks. I have a personal diary and a family planner that I love to use. I’ll link my favourite diaries and planners at the end of the blog.
2. Have a Flexible Schedule
As I work for myself, I can have a much more flexible schedule than most. However, if you work for an employer it would be worth talking about flexing your hours around your child’s schedule so you can manage work work and parenting responsibilities in the best way.
Sometimes things can arise, such as skipped naps, sick days and other crises. It’s important to be able to be flexible to work around these unexpected parenting needs. If you work from home and parent, it’s important to be open to adjustments in your schedule and manage your work around parenting needs.
If my child is sick one day, I can take that day off work and set aside some extra time after the kids are in bed, or on the weekend, to catch up on work if needed. Sometimes I don’t need to do this, but sometimes I do. It’s important to be flexible and move schedules when needed.
3. Utilise nap time/ quiet time
My children are still quite young so I can use nap time to focus on my work tasks and get some serious work smashed out. It’s helpful to have that time set aside to work on projects and things that demand my attention.
If my oldest doesn’t nap, I still establish a quiet time. I have quiet activities set aside to entertain my child while I concentrate on work. It can help to have some quiet time set aside in the day, not only is it beneficial for your child, it helps to get on top of some work tasks throughout the day.
4. Utilise Technology
Educational apps, educational TV shows and interactive games can provide valuable educational entertainment for your child. Screen time should always be limited, however, it can be invaluable to throw on an educational TV show while you need to get some other work done.
A leap pad is a really good educational screen time option. It has so many educational games and activities that can focus on your child while you need to get something done. I’ll link the leap pad at the bottom of my blog.
5. Designate a Workspace
Separate spaces for work and play can be very helpful when working from home. A separate workspace can help maintain focus and signal to your family that you’re in work mode, while a separate play space can keep your child engaged and help you to switch between ‘work mode’ and ‘parent mode’.
6. Take Breaks Together
It’s important to schedule breaks throughout the day to spend some quality time with your child. I have the benefit of setting my own hours, so I spend the majority of the day with my child, playing and doing other things. However, if you have to work while they are awake, then scheduling breaks is important to spend some quality time with your child. It means you can still be present in the moment and help your child feel recharged and happier.
If you can’t schedule many breaks, you can try to involve your child in activities while finishing tasks. It can help them to better understand work commitments and working life.
7. Prioritise Self-Care
Working from home and parenting can be quite overwhelming and stressful. You are working two jobs at the same time and it is an exhausting task. Self-care is essential and you need to try to sleep well, eat well and find time for activities you enjoy. Even if that activity is going for a walk with your child. Balancing work and parenting is hard and requires you to also be looking after yourself to prevent feeling overwhelmed and burnt out.
Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.
Anne Lamott
Working from home and parenting is a tough gig and it’s crucial to find the balance between working and parenting. Being flexible each day helps to work through challenges and setting routines in place can assist in keeping on top of work commitments and parenting. It’s important to be patient and forgiving with yourself as you navigate the challenging journey, but it is rewarding in the end.
Links:
AUS:
- 2024 A5 Diary – Week To View
- 2024 A5 Diary – Day To View
- 2024 Wall Planner – Full Year
- 2024 Wall Calendar
- 2024 Magnetic Dry-Erase Planner
- 2024 Magnetic Family Planner Set
- Leap Pad Learning Tablet
US:
Emilie Turner 