Tips for Working Parents
On this page
Being a working parent is a challenging role. It involves a balancing act between meeting your child’s needs for care and attention, sharing a satisfying relationship with your partner and friends and being a reliable and competent employee while trying to enjoy life and parenthood.
Make life easier
- Setting realistic and achievable goals for you and your family
- Asking for help
- Changing your expectations and priorities around the house
- Involving other supportive adults in the planning and sharing of parenting and household responsibilities
- Be realistic about what can be achieved each day
Routine is important. Having an unpredictable lifestyle is time consuming and unsettling for everyone. Young children become frustrated, overwhelmed, and rushed when routines are frequently changing (understandably, sometimes it cannot be helped).
- Talk to your partner about household responsibilities and expectations as a parent and adult household member.
Starting and finishing the day on a happy note:
-
1
Give yourself extra time in the morning
-
2
Rethink what is essential to be completed before leaving the house each morning
-
3
Pack your work and childcare bags the night before
-
4
Use the time in the car as a valuable opportunity to connect with your child both on the way to childcare and on the way home. Sing songs, and listen to your child when they talk to you
-
5
Most importantly, leave work stresses at work
-
6
Organise the next day’s clothing the night before for you and your child
-
7
Avoid conflicts and fights in the morning – it is always a no win solution for everyone
-
8
Consider a ‘No TV’ rule in the morning as this can distract everyone from getting ready
-
9
Getting your child to bed early ensures they have adequate sleep for development and growth.
Feeding the family without stress
When preparing for a meal, prepare double amounts of food and freeze for later. Also look to invest in a slow cooker and put dinner on before you leave for work. Remember your evening meal does not have to be a hot meal.
Depending on the age of the child, try and enjoy dinner around the table with the television off and all family members present. This is a good habit to get into and provides a great opportunity to interact as a family.
Shopping
Add an extra hour to childcare for shopping later in the day. Also try to avoid taking tired and hungry children shopping. Alternatives to doing the shopping with children is to consider shopping online or ask your partner to do the shopping. Another suggestion is to do a big weekly shop to avoid the need to shop every day.
Washing
- Wash and hang the clothes on the line the night before
- Fold washing properly and save ironing
When your child is sick
It happens to all children when you least expect it. If your child is sick it is important to ensure your employer knows you are also a parent, so if your child does become sick you can take leave. Either arrange for your partner to care for your child or have a backup plan such as a grandparent or a good friend on standby. Babysitting clubs are a great idea if you want to go out at night with no extra childcare costs but remember you do need to ‘repay’ the hours and babysit other people’s children.
TOP TIPS
- One of the hardest challenges of raising children is maintaining that bond with your significant other. Take time out for yourself and your partner to reconnect and maintain a healthy relationship. In addition, go for a walk, taking time to talk and listen to each other even if it is only for a short time.
- Plan regular enjoyable family activities that are simple (i.e. once a month take the family into the city – kids are fascinated with tall buildings and sailing boats on the harbour!). It is these activities that provide your children with family memories later on in life!
- Continue or start to do a regular exercise program. This is an essential part of caring for yourself.
