**Collaborative post**
As a parent, one of the biggest feelings you’ll have is guilt. You’ll feel bad when you work too much as you want to be more present with your children and you’ll feel bad when you’re spending time with your children and not working as much as you won’t have enough cash. Unfortunately, while this is part and parcel of being a parent, there are ways you can balance it out so you don’t need to feel this way. In this article, we take a look at some ways you can navigate a work life balance when you have kids to make sure you all enjoy life to the full.
Why is it so important to have a work life balance?
While you might know you need a work life balance, have you ever stopped to think just why this is? Some of the main reasons that you need to (and how you can benefit) include the following:
So you don’t burn yourself out
If you don’t have a good work life balance it can lead to you burning yourself out which can have negative repercussions all around. By burning yourself out you will be unable to do all of your regular activities as it can lead to you being ill, feeling anxious and even causing depression. All of these things can have a really detrimental impact on all areas of your life and are something you don’t want to happen. When you have the right work-life balance, you’ll feel happy, refreshed and not so much like you’re burning the candle at both ends.
So you can live in the moment
LIfe is all about living in the moment but if you’re constantly rushing from place to place and not being present, it can be very easy to forget this. You’ll find life passes you by and instead of living it, you’re already worrying and thinking about all the other many things you should be doing. A work life balance means you can get everything done that you need to, when you need to, stopping you from always thinking ahead. While a little pre-planning is always good, if you do it in a healthy way, you’ll find it much more effective.
So you can be more productive
When you finally flip the way you work and live, you’ll find you’re much more productive with the time you have. You will get the things done in the time allocated, rather than procrastinating or stressing. Having a good balance means you have the mental space to think outside your work, feel more refreshed and this will lead to you being more productive, it’s a win-win situation.
How can you navigate a work life balance with kids?
When you have kids, a work life balance might seem a bit harder than you’d like, but it certainly is possible. Some of the things you should do to implement this includes:
Set realistic expectations for yourself
Deciding to have a work life balance is easy. Actually implementing it however, not so much. Yet it’s important you set realistic expectations that you can actually hit. If you try and do everything, you’ll burn yourself out in no time at all and be left feeling deflated and upset. Think about what you realistically want to achieve and how you’re going to do it. Start small and you can add other goals to your list once you’ve got into the swing of things. This way it won’t seem too overwhelming and you can make the most of the time you’ve got.
Speak to your employer
If you’re finding your work hours too long, it’s worth speaking to your employer. They might not know how you are feeling and would want to help you out. After all, as we’ve seen above, a better work-life balance means you utilise your time much more effectively so you’ll be better at the work you do. By airing your thoughts, you can see if you can come up with a compromise together that will help you out. It could be that they change your contract so you work from home either full time or a few times a week, making the most of the flexibility that this will provide for you and your family.
See if you can find flexible work from home
If you speak to your employer and they won’t let you change the way you work, or your working hours, it could be worth switching to a solely work from home role. There are many jobs out there you can do, including being a freelance writer or a photographer. If you’re creative in the educational field, you could sell educational templates, or you could tutor people online ahead of their exams. This way you’re using your skills you already have, but making the most of the flexibility and money you can make from home.
Make the most of the time you do have with your little ones
When you do have time with your children, try not to spend it on your emails or your phone. While it’s difficult, try and switch off from work, just as you have to switch off from your kids when you’re in the workplace. Instead, focus on them properly, giving them your full attention and really making the most of the time you have together. You could go on different outings, make up games to play at home, or do some art and crafts. No matter what it is, you’ll all appreciate and enjoy the time you’ve spent together.
Schedule in some me time
As well as spending time at work and at home with your children, you need to take some time out just for you. It’s important you take care of your own health and wellbeing, so you can perform your other tasks and jobs properly. Whether you take yourself out on a solo date, for dinner, cocktails and a walk, or if you have a bubble bath and read a book. No matter what it is you decide to do, taking time just for you to reset and not have any other responsibilities is super important for keeping you happy and your emotions aligned.
See if you can change your work hours
While you might have spoken to your boss about working from home, it’s also a good idea to see if you can change your work hours. You might be working 9-6 at the moment which means you miss bedtime every single day. Instead, inquire if you can change to four long days, so you have one day a week off to spend with your kids. This means you’ll be able to do everything from drop them off at school or nursery, to picking them up and putting them to bed in the evening. It’s these moments that mean the most and changing your hours can make a real difference. You could also switch your hours to start earlier and finish earlier, if this means you get to be home for bath and bed. Whatever works best for you.
Plan ahead as much as possible
Planning is integral when it comes to navigating a work life balance and you need to try and think ahead. Plan things such as fun days out which you can have with the children, as well as requesting off any holiday well in advance. You might also need to sort out childcare for things such as the summer holidays to avoid this being a stressful period. Try and inform people as early as you can to get it covered.
Lean on others for support
As a parent, it can sometimes be difficult to lean on others for support as you don’t want to seem like you can’t cope. The reality is however, people love to help and know they can assist. Don’t be afraid to ask for a babysitter every now and then so you can spend quality time with your other half. You could swap roles with other parents, so they babysit for you and then you return the favour.
These are just a few things you can do that can help you to navigate a work life balance when you have children. While it’s vital to go to work and provide for your family, you want to make sure you also see your little ones and create memories with them too. As well as this, you want to schedule time to take care of yourself, as you can’t realistically run off empty. Try and prioritise each of these things and recognise the moment when you’re in it. For example, when you’re at work, keep your focus on that. When you’re with your children, try and not think about work. This can make it easier to really cherish the moment you’re in and stop feeling so guilty. What are some top tips you have for navigating a work life balance when you have kids? Let us know in the comments below, we’d love to hear from you.
