“Ding-ding!” The school bell rings. As a work-from-home parent, you might run up and down between work deadlines, school pickups, and after-school activities, and let’s not forget to feed everyone! Take a deep breath in and then out. You’re not alone. Many parents face this challenge, but there are solutions. In today’s blog, we share insightful strategies to help you find the perfect balance and become the hero in both work and life.
The Sunday Night Strategy: Weekly Family Meetings
Okay, parents, back-to-school season is here. Well, either now or in a few weeks, depending on where you live. We assume you have a schedule already figured out to avoid unexpected events. But one can get easily blindsided by a last-minute science project or a parent-teacher meeting.
A simple way to avoid this is by holding a family meeting every Sunday night to go over school drop-offs, homework deadlines, extracurricular activities, and work obligations. Having this conversation can prevent chaotic mornings and ensure everyone is ready to take on the week.
Tip: You can either go ‘2024’ by using a shared family calendar app like Google Calendar or go old-school with a whiteboard on the fridge. This makes it easy for everyone to stay on top of their schedules. Plus, it helps eliminate that dreaded “I forgot to tell you about…” conversation at 9 p.m. the night before.
Automate Back-to-School Must-Haves
Let’s face it: Life gets chaotic during the school year. Between forgotten permission slips, sports practices, and dentist appointments, something always slips through the cracks. But what if you could automate part of that chaos? For example, order school supplies online or set up recurring reminders for things like parent-teacher conferences, and sports fees. The fewer things you have to remember, the better.
Tip: Prep meals on Sundays for the week. Look, you might not win culinary brownie points for making a hundred identical sandwiches or snack bags, but you will save your sanity on mornings during the weekday grind.
Use Breaks to Stay Engaged with Your Kids
You’re at your computer, busy with a project, and suddenly, your eyes catch the time clock. You’re already mid-way through your workday and haven’t taken lunch or a short break. If you find yourself in this situation, think back to this blog- and remember to slow down.
Instead of working through lunch or skipping your coffee break, why not take a few moments to check in with your kids about their day? A brief conversation can make a big difference in keeping them engaged with school and it also gives you a mental break from work.
Tip: Use these little windows of time to review school notices or help with small tasks so that you can address them before they become bigger problems later in the day. Moreover, have fun conversations with them, and enjoy these little moments while the kids are still under your nest.
Teach Responsibility: Get the Kids Involved
There’s no better time than now to solve two problems with one solution. Hear us out. While busy with your workday, give the kids some age-appropriate chores, like packing their lunches, organizing their backpacks, or laying out their clothes the night before. Think about it; this provides the opportunity to have fewer things to worry about while teaching them valuable lessons.
Tip: Make it part of their routine, so everyone knows what’s expected in the morning and evening.
Find a Company That Values You!
For our final tip of the day, we’ll keep it quite straightforward. Ask yourself, “Do I work with a company that respects my time?” The answer to this question can solve many problems. It can become overwhelming if you are swamped with several tasks, barely having time for anything else.
You’ll miss out on what matters most- spending valuable time with your family. At Job Duck, we know how important achieving a healthy work-life balance is. Many parents working with us are achieving that balance- having the necessary time for their children while successfully growing within the company.
Tip: It’s not too late to start creating memorable moments with your children. For all parents seeking a fulfilling career, take the first step by exploring our opportunities below. If you’re ready to work with a company that truly values you and respects your time, consider applying today!
Conclusion
Being a parent while multi-tasking is not always easy, but it is surely worth it. We hope that you have found this week’s blog truly insightful. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below and remember- you are a super parent! Pat yourself on the back now and then. You deserve it!
