Parenting is a full-time job as it is, but that doesn’t mean if you are full-time parenting you don’t have to look for an actual job. Now that you are working and parenting, you realise that a lot of your time and energy is shared between your kids, house duties and work, none left for yourself.
It doesn’t have to be like that because both responsibilities are important and necessary, and your self-care time is also important, so you need to find balance.
Have a look at some ways you can retain some time to yourself amidst the busyness of your life as a working parent, as suggested by health and wellness experts.
Set aside time for yourself every day
The online magazine for health and well-being, Happiful claims that no matter how little time you have between job and family obligations, it’s necessary to dedicate some time each day to yourself. It is emphasised that you make sure there are non-negotiable times of rest, whether they are in the quiet after the kids go to bed or the quiet early hours before the household wakes up and you start getting ready for work and school. “This could mean indulging in a few uninterrupted pages of your favourite book or magazine, pampering yourself with a relaxing bath, or doing some gentle yoga stretches. The art of slowing down means different things to different people. Remember that you are deserving of this self-care.”
Create screen-free spaces
The online magazine above further states that having screen breaks and stopping phone use in certain rooms of the house can be a game changer. “In setting up spaces and rules where technology is not welcome – for example, no phones at the dinner table or after 9 pm – you will begin to create opportunities for genuine connections and quality time instead of being distracted.” Additionally, Happiful advises against work issues being brought home, stating that you can set boundaries for work by refusing to answer business-related calls or emails during family time and that this way you’re not just teaching your kids how to manage technology responsibly, but it may also help you feel a lot less stressed before bed.
Delegate
The Imperfect Life Balance publication states that you don’t have to do everything by yourself, you need to spread out your tasks to people around you. The publication states that if you spend several hours on a single task, it is better to ask a family member or close friend to help you with half of it. “You can develop a cleaning schedule where you and other members of your family do specific tasks each day of the week and free up most of those hours on Saturday. Or, if you can afford it, delegate the cleaning tasks to a housekeeper.”
Befriend like-minded parents
Leadership coach and intercultural trainer, Hannah Böhmer, shared on LinkedIn saying that having people in your life who can relate to your struggles and provide you with ideas, support, and a good laugh is important. “At the office, there might be people you know you could turn to if you need to have a mini breakdown about daycare.”
Also see: How raising a child with special needs affect marriages
