Parenthood is without a doubt the most challenging role that most people face in life.
And the stresses are magnified when you’re also working a demanding job role. As such, it can be hard to find a nice balance.
With that in mind, here are five top tips for working parents.
- Switch off
After a long day on the grind it can be hard to unwind, relax and resume parent mode.
So once you get home, switch off your work phone don’t be tempted to check your work emails; you should focus on your family (children, partner, pets) instead.
Finding an activity that helps you unwind such as yoga or meditation is a good idea too, so that when you’re home you feel completely relaxed and at ease.
- Plan meals ahead
The last thing you want after a long day at work is to find yourself slaving away in the kitchen cooking a meal and then cleaning it all away afterwards.
Preparing meals in advance will save you time and cash because it will enable you to shop more efficiently.
So find day where you can focus on planning and preparing some meals, and get your children involved too, because this way it can double up as quality time spent together. For recipe inspiration, check out a food site such as BBC Good Food.
- Create a family calendar
When you’re a working parent it’s hard enough finding time to do all of your parental jobs, let alone remember them.
Creating a family calendar will help you keep track of familial responsibilities and events, so you can plan your time more wisely.
You should include things such as school events, family functions and birthdays on your calendar.
A great platform to use for your family planning is Google Calendar because it can be easily shared and synced on mobile devices.
- Hire a tutor
When you’re working in a busy job, it can be difficult to find the time to help your children with their schoolwork.
This is why hiring a private tutor is a good idea – it gives your child access to a subject specialist who can help them get the most from their studies.
And if you choose a tutoring service such as Teachers To Your Home, you’ll be able to chat with and interview perspective tutors to ensure that you find the best one for your child.
- Have some ‘you’ time
Although it might seem like it at times, life isn’t just about work and parenthood. Doing something that’s just for you is okay too.
This could be something relaxing such as binge watching your favourite TV series, or fun such as going for a drink and bite to eat with friends.
So have a think about the things that bring you pleasure and factor some time into your schedule to do them – it’s not selfish, it’s being human.
With these tips to hand, you’ll be prepped for managing the demands that come with being a working parent like a pro.
What are your top tips for working parents? Let us know in the comments section.
