Is the work-life balance just a pipe dream for many parents? Juggling two huge responsibilities can lead to burnout and stress, especially when most households today have both parents working.
Keeping a good work-life balance, however, is important because it affects family relationships. It also impacts the way parents raise the children. So, how can full-time working parents manage this well?
It is vital for the parents to have goals and visions early on. This way, they can allot time and resources fairly to achieve these aspirations. The goals should help influence parents' daily decisions that will shape the kids' future, according to Harvard Review.
If a parent's work has been overwhelming and taking too much time away from family, perhaps a change in pace and working methods are in order. For instance, it might be good to cut down on business travels or compromise work schedules among teammates.
It might also help to ask for additional help from colleagues when it comes to projects. This way, a parent won't have to spread himself too thin and compromise his quality of work as well.
Professional Jo Kelly said she has learned to say no to some work obligations in favor of her family. She limits overtimes and has a personal goal of leaving the office at a set time, and by then her focus is the kids. "You work to live, not live to work," she wisely said, per Fortune.
Parents should always make time for self-care, even if it's just a few minutes in a day. Give yourself some 10 or 20 minutes to relax, even if you have a strict routine to follow. Remember, children sense when a parent is stressed out from work, so it's always a good idea to slow down and take a break every day, according to Family Lives.
Make family time a big deal. It might be Sunday dinners, movie nights every third Saturdays, or park visits during weekends. Whatever you agree on as a family, do group activities together and do it often. The children will grow up appreciating their parents more when they see the adults making an effort to spend quality time with them.
