The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that in 2021 the United States boasted as many as 32.8 million families with children under 18. Within that group, approximately 78.5% of families had at least one person working full-time, with 46.8% having both parents in the workforce. These parents juggle both home and office, trying to keep up with both fields. 

This task is no small feat, asking parents to find a happy balance between their careers and caring for their families. The lines sometimes blur, trying to make it all work, and, amid the overload, it can topple to one side. For those moments when the balance is lost, it’s time to step back and assess. Make some adjustments and seek to support both parts of your lives. The following are six tips to help maintain both areas.

1. Establish Clear Boundaries

Perhaps one of the greatest struggles is designating clear lines between work and home. After all, in the chaotic days of working with youth and projects, you could find yourself completing tasks when you could be reading to your kids or cheering them on during a game. In addition, you may be fielding texts from teens when you should pay attention to an online call.

Busyness takes over, and when it does, it’s imperative to find ways to reclaim your time, making an effort to no longer do two things simultaneously. Assess when you want to complete emails and assignments. Talk to your kids about when it’s okay to call and text. Make it clear to work that you plan to leave at a specific time, giving family your attention at home. 

2. Ask for a Flexible Schedule

The traditional 9 to 5 gig is hard on a family schedule. Many activities start early in the afternoon, right after school. Getting out, picking them up, grabbing gear and hitting the field or studio within a short time frame makes for a frustrating and anxious evening.

Do you forfeit your kid’s social activity because work doesn’t fit? No. Communicate with work, asking for adjustments to your schedule for those days. Ask if you can come in early and leave at 4, getting just as much done but making time for both parts of your life.

3. Request Remote Work Days

Kiddos get sick, and you want to take care of them. They have performances and field trips, and you don’t want to miss out on those moments. Seek employers who permit remote work, at least on occasion. Go into the office for a few days, and have a few days at home where you can use downtime to focus on the house or sneak out at lunch to visit your kiddos.

4. Pick Your Kids’ Activities Wisely

Children like to play and keep busy. Their social schedules can pick up quickly, overwhelming you. If it’s becoming too much, evaluate what your kids want to do and if it’s worth the struggle. Limit them to one to two activities per semester.

5. Teach Your Kids Chores and Responsibilities

Don’t forget that children can learn to help. Chores offer valuable lessons, teaching life-long skills. Carve out time for you to work together to put the dishes away, fold clothes and wipe countertops. It may take some time to teach them, but chores may get done faster in the long run. Plus, you prepare kids for the future and show them you care about your place.

6. Accept Help

Seek assistance from people you trust. Set up carpools. Find babysitters and ask family members to pitch in. You don’t have to shoulder it all. Ask people to get kids to and from activities. Look for meal services, affordable house cleaners and lawn services. Take off some of the activities that push your time and limits.

Working parents face the daunting task of trying to do it all. However, “do it all” doesn’t mean doing everything imaginable. Strive for balance in your work-life balance. Set guidelines for yourself and work with employers to make time for both parts of your life.

6 Tips To Help Working Parents Maintain Balance