The notion that ‘we ought to work as if one did not have children, while raising children as if one did not have a job’ is quite an overwhelming one. The obligation for working parents is a precise one. They often pigeonhole themselves as not being good enough, and that can really injure the good parenting that they’re at.
The fact that you worry about being a good parent means that you already are one. It’s also very easy to feel hassled by friends and families who seem to be doing a great job at their end. Balancing a career and a family can be hard, but you wouldn’t be chastised for leaning on others, sharing roles with your partner or taking a day off for self-care. In fact, neglecting to do that can sometimes leave you feeling anxious and unhappy, can be a great way to bounce back as an active and affectionate parent.
We’ve put down a few simple techniques you can apply to reboot your parenting style:
Set a Positive Routine
It’s vital to follow a daily routine with your child like reading them to sleep, enjoying evening playdates together or as simple as waking up together every day. This connects your child with you emotionally and aids in spending quality time together, ensuring that the best hours of your day are always pre-planned.
Get Outside Help
It’s never wrong to ask for assistance. Take help from family members or guardians when your work schedule takes a toll on your day. Many busy parents also find it empowering to enrol their child in the neighbouring budget-friendly day-care centres, to make sure they are being looked after professionally. This also works wonders to reconnect with your child every day after work as they will be overjoyed to see you again.
Self-Love is not Selfish
Every so often, parenting can feel like leaving a kettle on the stove for too long – ultimately, either you’ll whistle out angry or explode emotionally if you don’t relieve the pressure. Taking some time off even if it’s means a warm bath, fifteen-minute meditation, reading a book before bed or something as simple as enjoying a five-minute favourite meal on the couch can work like magic to reboot yourself and get back to your child. This is essential for you to recall your worth, capabilities and strengths time to time, and moreover – you deserve it.
Juggling a child with prolonged work responsibilities has made all the above points even more significant than it was pre-pandemic. We hope you enjoyed this article and continue to be the amazing busy parent that you are.