Let’s face it, attempting to fit work around your loved ones isn’t easy…
If you happen to’re a working parent, you’ll little question know the struggles that include balancing a profession and children. In truth, 29% of fogeys said that they had faced barriers stepping into work on account of family commitments.*
And with the UK having the third highest costs for childcare on the earth, it’s unsurprising that families across the country are feeling the strain – each financially, and emotionally.
To enable you find the balance, we’ve teamed up with expert blogger and work-at-home mum of 4, Leyla Preston, Founding father of Motherhood Diaries, and asked her to share her top suggestions for working parents.
1. Embrace the dance between flexibility and routine
Finding harmony between flexibility and a well-structured day can feel difficult at one of the best of times. But over 14 years, I’ve learned to work with my children’s needs while keeping a gradual beat with my work tasks – not the opposite way around. This implies waking before the children for an hour of focused work,in addition to syncing my most demanding work tasks with my youngest’s nap times.
It’s challenging and also you won’t have the opportunity to perform each to one of the best of your ability for those who’re managing each work and childcare at the identical time. But, if that’s your situation, you have got to do one of the best you may with what you have got handy.
2. Carve out an office
Discover a place within the corner of your own home which you could designate as your ‘office space’.
There’s a great probability you’ll often be on the move along with your laptop (due to travelling with the children). Nevertheless it’s essential your brain becomes accustomed to a spot in the home that’s purely for switching gears into ‘work mode’. For me, it’s now at the top of the dining room, overlooking the lounge. That way I can regulate the children, and work at the identical time.
3. Master the art of prioritisation so you may be productive
The Eisenhower Matrix isn’t only a tool – it transforms overwhelming to-do lists into actionable and consumable tasks. Work out which of your tasks are urgent and prioritise those. And the tasks that aren’t urgent or essential? DELETE. Try to stick with five tasks a day for work, prioritised so as of importance and urgency. Whatever can’t be done, gets rolled over to tomorrow.
You might think, ‘I can’t try this!’, but for those who’re overwhelmed, overstimulated and overworked, you won’t be completing any task, let alone those you tried to cram into an already sardined day.
4. Self-care is important
I repeat: self-care is important!
Your mental health and physical health demand leisure and rejuvenation, and while you’re stressed, you are likely to overlook this very essential a part of your day. It could possibly be five minutes of drinking tea in peace, going for a walk, or doing half-hour of exercise (my primary therapy). Whatever it’s, construct it into your routine, so you retain your sanity and manage the chaos around your work-from-home life.
Remember, you’re no good to anyone in case your mental and physical health are kaput!
5. Find your tribe (and don’t be afraid to ask for – and supply – help)
They are saying it takes a village to lift a toddler, and I’ve found it also takes one to nurture a dream. Constructing a network of fellow warriors — parents who understand the juggle, professionals who share the hustle, and family and friends who know your soul — creates a tapestry of support that may catch us after we fall and propel us forward.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help for those who’re struggling and pay it forward when others need assistance. You’ll never know when that one person you helped will return and pay it back in dividends!
On the lookout for a task you may fit around your loved ones commitments? View all available jobs now.
Motherhood Diaries is a web based platform where parents and parents-to-be can share their thoughts and opinions on all things related to pregnancy and parenting. On their site you’ll find articles, product reviews, service reviews, recipes, stories and so way more…
*Survey conducted by Atomik Research amongst 2,002 respondents from across the UK, all of whom were employed or actively in search of work. The research fieldwork took place on eighth February – thirteenth February 2024.