Being a parent is a full-time job in itself, but when you’re being forced to balance it with employment, it can leave you feeling stressed. However, the reality is that while you may want to spend more time with your children, it simply isn’t possible when you have bills to pay – and you’re not alone. Millions of parents continue to work, but ensuring you’re able to balance the two may mean putting strategies in place. Here are some tips on how to manage being a full-time working parent:
Let go of the guilt
It is natural to feel a sense of guilt that you’re leaving your children to go to work, however, it won’t help you mentally if you constantly go to work with a negative attitude. Rather than worrying about how you should be spending time with your child, consider how going to work will benefit your family financially. You’ll be earning money to pursue educational opportunities, enrol in hobbies or simply pay for activities at the weekend. Understand that it is possible to balance both, providing you have your priorities straight. If you’re feeling out of your depth, it would be worth speaking with your partner or even your boss to express your thoughts. Find quality childcare
If you have no other option, you should consider hiring childcare assistance while you’re away at work. Being in control of who you ask to look after your little ones will help you regain some form of control. Ask your friends and family if anyone would be willing to take on the role, or if they have any recommendations of professional companies you could hire.
Create a list of criteria of what you would be looking for in your childcare provider and only interview those who are qualified and have years of experience under their belt – in doing so, you can take comfort in knowing that your children are getting the attention they need for their personal development.
Create a family calendar
Knowing when you’re able to spend time together can be challenging when you have a family, therefore, it would be a good idea to create a calendar listing the entire family’s schedule. This enables you to visually see when key family events are taking place. If you feel as though your job is making you miss important family events constantly, you may wish to speak with your boss about whether taking on flexible hours would be an option to help you balance your personal and professional life. Change jobs
If you struggling to cope with the demands of your current job, you could consider changing jobs that fit better around your personal commitments. Everyone deserves to have a work/life balance but if your current role no longer fits your lifestyle, it may be time to move on. If you haven’t applied for new jobs for many years, it may be wise to hire a professional CV writer to re-write your CV to allow you to stand out from other applicants.
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