Making Family Time Count Working parents have two jobs! Raising children is rewarding but can also be challenging. Add busy work schedules and it is often hard for working parents to find enough time in the day. Trying to strike a balance, can often leave you running around in circles, making you feel that you are doing neither job very well, and family life can suffer. Here are a few tips on how you can make the most of family time. Get Over the Guilt Many parents, especially mums, experience guilt going to work and leaving their children. Yet, having a job, whether full-time or part-time can increase your self-esteem and confidence, and if balanced well can have a positive contribution on family life. To ease the guilt pangs, make sure you and your children are happy and content with your childcare arrangements. Recognise that it is a juggling act We are living in a world with increasing pressure 'to be all things to all people' and feeling the burden of trying to balance work and family responsibilities. – you are not alone, it is a real juggling act – if you are struggling, don't be afraid to look for support or find out about readjusting working schedules and flexible working options. Be realistic about work schedules. Be clear about childcare needs, working hours and traveling needs. Know in advance whether your childcare provider is prepared to work additional hours occasionally or what their policy is on late pick-ups. Plan ahead Most of us are used to planning ahead our working week, and working to deadlines or schedules. Family life to some extent needs similar planning, or else things can soon start to feel out of control. Even simple things like pre-preparing meals or packing schoolbags the night in advance can help. Switch off from work Resist the temptation to take your work home with you and let it spill into evenings or the weekend. If unavoidable, try where possible to keep evening work until after the children are in bed. Make a clear division between work and family time. Family time comes first Family time is the hardest to prioritize, because other things always crop up and can get in the way. However, your time with your children is the most precious time of all so guard your time together carefully. Any time spent together is good time Just as you would with work, it can help to have designated family time. This doesn't need to be strictly penciled in, but it can help to block off time in your diary to dedicate to family activities. In the evenings after work, try to ditch distractions such as non urgent phone calls to family, friends etc, the ironing etc, will keep until after the children are settled in bed. Instead make the most of family time, reading your children bedtime stories, helping them with their homework or catching up on their day – your children will appreciate having your undivided attention. Remember that it is a learning curve! Perfect parents do not exist, don't be afraid to make mistakes. Learn from both mistakes and success and build on them. Resist the temptation to compare yourself to other mums, whether working or not. Everyone is different, and what works for one family might be different for another. Also things are not always what they seem on the surface – everyone has good and bad days! The key is to be flexible and responsive to both you and your children's needs – all you can do is your best!
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