Work-life balance is a topic of constant discussion, especially for parents, and since the events of recent years, it has become a topic that we can speak more readily about.
But having a work-life balance entails more than being able to work from home or hybrid working. In fact, sometimes the expectation from employees who are granted this flexibility can be even more than their counterparts in the office, even if it is self inflicted. You know, the feeling that you have to do more to prove that you are actually working from home and not just dissing and doing mother and baby coffee mornings with your buddies.
So, it’s vital to have practical strategies in place to ensure you have the work-life balance you need to survive the perpetual hamster wheel of work and family life. The aim for many is not to achieve perfection in every aspect of life, but to find the balance and harmony that works for you and your family.
Embracing Efficiency While Working and Setting Boundaries
For many working mums, the challenge starts with recognising that you can’t do everything and that doesn’t mean you have failed or can’t work while raising your child.
As Damon Zahariades suggests in the must-read book “The Art of Saying No,” setting boundaries is key. Saying ‘no’ to tasks that aren’t essential allows you to focus on what truly matters. This approach, coupled with efficient time management, as endorsed by the Harvard Business Review, can boost productivity and reduce stress. Remember, planning is not just about work schedules; it includes family time and personal care.
Flexibility in the Workplace
The landscape of the UK workplace is changing, with more employers recognising the need for flexible working options. According to the CIPD, a significant number of UK businesses now offer various forms of work flexibility. This change is crucial for working parents. And for many mothers it can actually make the difference between the ability to work or not at all, so that is a welcome finding.
Discussing flexible hours or remote working options with your employer can be a game-changer in achieving work-life balance. Thankfully, the lockdowns showed many employers that they can trust employees to work from home part or fully.
The Importance of Reliable Childcare For Flexible Working
For working parents, reliable childcare is essential. The Pew Research Center highlights that more than half of working parents find it difficult to balance work and family life without dependable childcare.
The Power of Prioritising: A Key to Success for Working Parents
Another area that many struggle with is being able to prioritise. It is much more than just having a to-do list. Prioritisation is about aligning your daily tasks with your long-term goals, both in your career and family life.
It requires a system of documenting what needs to be done, what has been achieved and what needs to be finished off.
Setting Goals and Delegating
Having clear goals can guide your decisions and ensure they align with your personal and professional aspirations. Learning to delegate, both at home and at work, is crucial. If you thibjnyou don’t have the skills, motherhood good vest Mot working mums the perfect training ground to perfect these skills. Sharing household responsibilities with family members is a start. This helps to become comfortable with the idea of asking for help. This can then filter into the workplace and relying on colleagues for certain work tasks to help manage the workload – and to enable junior staff members to develop skills in the workplace.
Use Technology To Claw Back Time
The digital age offers many tools and apps designed to help organise both professional and personal tasks. From calendar apps to task management software like Todoist (my new favourite), Trello, Asana and many others, these tools can significantly enhance efficiency and reduce the mental load.
There is so much talk about AI like ChatGPT, which you can use to help you plan your day, come up with recipes with the ingredients you have, and much more! Use it to help you – like an assistant, you’d be amazed at what it can do.
Building a Support System: An Essential Requirement For Balancing Work and Family Life
Creating a strong support system is vital for managing the dual demands of work and family. It could be some of the other mums at your child’s nursery or school, who can step in when you are running late for pickup, to family and friends, God parents and even trusted neighbours. It all starts with you asking for that help in the first place and letting those in your circle know that you may need them from time to time.
Networking and Community Involvement
Connecting with other working parents allows for the sharing of experiences and advice. This is an area that I struggled with when I had my children most of my circle of friends were at different stages of life. Engaging with local community resources and professional networks can provide practical and emotional support. Have a look at you local council’s website and on sites like Netmums to find activities in your local area.
Involving Family and Seeking Professional Advice
Involving your family in your work-life balance journey helps distribute responsibilities and fosters a shared understanding of challenges. Seeking professional advice, through coaching or counselling, can offer new perspectives and strategies for coping.
In summary, for working parents in the UK, balancing work and family life involves a combination of efficient time management, workplace flexibility, reliable childcare, goal prioritisation, and a robust support network. By adopting these strategies, parents can navigate their dual roles more effectively, leading to a fulfilling professional and personal life. It’s a journey of constant learning and adaptation, but with the right approach, it can be both rewarding and enriching. Just don’t give up! If something doesn’t work just refine it and try again.
