We all want to be the best parents we can be for our children, but there is often conflicting advice on how to raise a kid who is confident, kind, and successful. And every aspect of being a parent has been more complicated and more fraught during the pandemic, with parents managing complex new assignments and anxious new decisions, all while handling the regular questions that come up in daily life with the children we love.
Throughout the circus act of parenting, it’s important to focus on balancing priorities, juggling responsibilities, and quickly flipping between the needs of your children, other family members, and yourself. Modern parents have the entire internet at their disposal and don’t follow any single authority. It’s hard to know whom or what to trust.
If you’re a parent of school-aged children and work from home, you’re probably wondering how everyone else seems to find the time to bake or binge-watch Netflix. Here are some tips on how to be better
Build a daily routine that works for your family
Kids do better when they have structure. Now that children don’t have the structure of regular school days consider creating your own family schedule. Your days will flow better when there’s some sort of routine.
If you and your partner both work from home, you might want to work in shifts, if that’s possible in your situation. At the very least, decide who can work uninterrupted at a given time, and who will be available for kids if needed. Communicate ahead of time to avoid stress and arguing.
Try to wake up around the same time every day, followed by a morning routine. Don’t just roll out of bed to your laptop, but get ready as you would when you go to the office. Having some consistent routines at this time will improve your mental health.
Set Boundaries
Boundaries set a firm line between your work life and your home life. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your work email while you’re at Olivia’s swim practice, you have to set healthy boundaries.
Commit to putting your phone away during set times — like family meals, reading time, homework help, soccer games, and dance recitals. Time with your kids is precious. Don’t taint it by giving your kids half your attention. Instead, keep your phone silent and in your pocket during these times. Work email can wait — your kids want to connect with you right now.
Take breaks and have fun as a family
While it can be daunting to combine working from home and parenting, it’s also an opportunity to spend more time with your children throughout the day. If you have flexibility with your schedule, you can carve out longer breaks during the day and have a meal, play a game, or go outside with your kids.
Schedule some fun family time in the evenings, too. You could draw, play a board game, watch a movie, cook together, or go for a bike ride. You can write a list of ideas and let everyone pitch in.
Many people end up working longer days when working from home, but it’s important for your well-being to wind down and spend quality time as a family.
Work Smarter
You’re a parent, so you already have the toughest job in the world. If you work outside the home, you have to get smart about how you manage your time and workload. After all, you don’t want to be the parent who misses your kids’ school play because you’re working overtime.
Technology allows us to be productive from nearly anywhere. When you commit to dedicated blocks of time for work, you can get more done. Start separating your workday into chunks: one for meetings, one for breaks, and another for focused work time.
When you set aside specific hours to complete your tasks, you’re working smarter. That means you’re more motivated and focused to complete that report in one hour, not two. That also means you get to spend more time at home with your kids.
It’s tempting to work 24 hours a day, especially with work email on your phone, but it’s a recipe for burnout. Plus, it means you can’t be present with your kids. Prioritize your workday; focus on work when you’re at work so you can be present for your family after 5 p.m
Finally, finding a balance between work and parenting does require effort on your part, but it will be worth your while. Eliminate your feelings of guilt about working, and maximize your time both at work and with your kids. Plan ahead for everything, and get it down on your calendar. Lastly, don’t forget to take care of yourself and stay healthy.
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