Advice For Working Parents – I’m A Mom
This situation is common and generates doubts and fears. The most frequent question from working parents is: how can we make time away from home compatible with parenthood?
It turns out that the solution is to organize schedules, stipulate rules and seek help. Do not want to do everything alone because the hours of the day are simply not enough. So here’s some advice for working parents!
Leave your children in the care of capable people.
It is very common to find some working parents who leave their children in the care of grandparents or uncles. Of course they’ll love helping you, but consider that they have things to do too.
Our recommendation is that you seek out someone who is an expert in child care. It can be anything from a nanny, to a day care center, if the age of your children is suitable for that.
In case grandparents really want and can, consider leaving your toddler children with them. Just don’t forget to help them with their expenses too, and don’t break the schedule. If you say you’ll be dropping by to pick up your kids at 4 pm, do so.
Establish schedules and respect
Another trick for working parents who manage to balance their work life with their family is to have a fixed schedule. If you must work from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm and promise your kids that you will come to eat at 5:00 pm, stick to that.
Your children need to spend time with you and they need to make sure you keep your promises. So if you promise that on Monday you’ll go to the football game or that on Thursday you’ll take him to swimming class, keep those promises.
Try to spend the promised time with your child without using cell phones, computers and any other distractions. That way, even if it’s 10 minutes, use them to talk to your children and find out what they like and what they dream about.
Create a family day
Traditionally we have Sunday as a rest day. As hardworking parents, try to leave a day free to share with your children and your spouse. Sometimes it can be tricky because not all jobs are the same. But it is not impossible to achieve this.
If you really can’t set aside an entire day for your family, take at least an hour each day. It will not be wasted time that you invest in improving the relationship with your loved ones.
Separate professional and family life
Many working parents miss their children so much that they talk to their coworkers too much about their personal life. We know that your child’s grades, achievements, and dreams are important to you, but they shouldn’t become the only topic of conversation in your work.
The same happens at home. If you have a project that interests you a lot and that motivates you a lot, talk about it. What you shouldn’t do is focus the conversation on him. From the moment you start your family moment, forget about work and vice versa.
Both your colleagues and your family will thank you because they will realize that they have a place in your life and that you respect the moment.
get ready the night before
Every morning you eat breakfast and do you take your kids to school on the way to work? To succeed as working parents, organize everything you need the night before. The things you can do are:
- Make sure your kids have everything ready for school.
- Prepare both the children’s clothes and yours to avoid running around.
- Preparing some types of food (sandwich, cutting fruit, etc.)
- Organize the day’s chores (who will pick the kids up from school, what time will you meet for dinner).
- Create a list of things to do the next day.
The success of working parents is based on balance
Regardless of the type of job you have, your hours, or your obligations, you need to strike a balance. Balance the hours you spend thinking about work and when you get home, focus on it.
When being in a family, you must work as a team. Therefore, everyone must assume their responsibilities, from the smallest member to the largest.
