I don’t! I think everyday is a learning curve for me and some days run super smooth and others are so chaotic it ends in tears. From the kids and me. It always depends on multiple factors such as how we slept the night before, if someone is sick, the mood of my little ones and even my mood. Although it can be very tricky there are some tips I have to keep it as smooth as possible even in the chaos.
1. Have a consistent routine
It helps to have an established routine with some room for flexibility when the day doesn’t run so smoothly. A routine can include your working hours, meal times, break times, nap/bedtime and chore time. The benefits of maintaining consistency in these areas is that they go a long way in upholding some level of peace and order. I know that if nap time is consistent, then we will have fewer issues with sleep at night. I know that if everyday I carry out certain chores, that they are not going to pile up and become overwhelming by Wednesday. So it is important to not just establish the routine but understand why you have it set up as it is and the positive impacts in has on your day to day.
2. Meal plan
Having to think about what to eat everyday is exhausting and then you may just up up ordering a takeaway which can start to add up over time and also is unhealthy. If you spend a bit of time on the weekend planning meals for the week ahead and doing a food shop according to the meal plan then this not only saves money but also the mental stress of not knowing what to make every day. You can choose meals that are very simple and take 20minutes to make. Another option to help is to pay for a meal delivery service like Hello fresh or Gusto. You can normally find discounts for these services and they definitely take the stress out of the food shop and knowing what to cook.
3. Have you own work space
Having a workspace for yourself is useful to help separate home life and family life. It doesn’t have to be a big office but just a space with your laptop and everything you need to work. It should be comfortable so it allows you to focus and remain productive. If you can set a clear boundary between work and family life then you will be more mentally prepared to be get your work done.
4. To do lists!
I love my to do lists, they help me keep my mind clear of all the whirling thoughts in my head of what needs to get done. I will have a to do list for work and one for family life. These lists are then ordered in the highest priority and lowest priority. What needs to get done today? which item is most important? what needs to get done this week? What takes the longest to do? What is the easiest and a quick win? I ask all these questions to myself as I jot down the things that need doing and it helps me manage my time effectively and manage stress.
As each day can be different sometimes you will get everything on your to do list done and other days not so much. Don’t be hard on yourself as this is okay! You just need to understand your priorities and sometimes that looks like just ensuring the children are looked after. Other times it looks like only high priority work is completed and nothing more. You can always make up for it on the days that run smoothly. Be kind to yourself, you are trying your best.
5. Nap time/quite time
If your little ones still nap then plan your work accordingly. If you have tasks that need undivided attention then tackle it during these times. I sometimes wake up an hour earlier to complete certain tasks before my girls even wake up. This frees up my mind a little bit during the day and then I can tackle other work while my one year old naps.
6. Get the little ones involved
A fun way to keep your children occupied while you work is giving them simple age appropriate activities that they can work on alongside you and pretend that they are “working” as well. They can have a chair next to you and colour, complete a puzzle or other games they enjoy. This not only allows you to work but also is fun for them as they are involved and learning to respect your working time.
7. Ensure you have break times together
It is important to take regular breaks when you are working but also these breaks can serve as some time spent together. This might look like eating lunch together, playing a little game, going for a walk outside or reading a book. It ensures you are able to fit quality time in with your littles and also take your mind off work allowing you to recharge.
8. Don’t deny yourself help!
It is so easy to sometimes think we can do it all and avoid asking for help or seeking support. However we are humans and can’t do everything ourselves! If we try to then we will end up burnt out which is not a great place to be. If you have family or friends that can help then definitely utilise that. Also if you are able to, consider hiring help. This could look like getting a childminder or a housecleaner to lighten the load a bit and ease some of the pressure of your day to day life. This can make a significant difference in not only managing your work life balance but also your mental health.
9. Make time for yourself
Time for yourself is so important however can be difficult depending on your circumstances. I know for one I constantly neglect my own needs. Yet the first advice I would hand out is not to neglect yourself. This is a battle I have all the time that I do not have time for myself, there are too many things that need doing. But in reality, there will always be a load of laundry, dishes to wash, work to be done and children that need you. So really if you only take time for yourself when everything is ticked off the to do list, you will never recharge. You are also a priority. Have a relaxing bath, go for a solo walk, do your skincare, go to bed 30 mins earlier. Whatever you need, just do it.
Conclusion
While maintaining a balance between working from home and family life can be very challenging, it can also be very rewarding. By ensuring you try your best to stay as organised as possible it and prioritising your workload, it can definitely go a long way with keeping work and family life as smooth as possible. Give yourself grace and allow room for flexibility, not every day will be perfect and that is just life. We should all strive to do our best and then embrace the imperfections. With this in mind, I hope these tips help you and your family to thrive.