The back-to-school season is approaching. Are you ready for that shock to your work/life balance? Properly preparing for the new school year can save working parents a lot of stress and heartache.
It’s an especially important topic this year. We generally talk about the post-COVID world as “getting back to normal.” However, the end of the pandemic will actually create a weird experience for many families.
After all, there wasn’t really a back-to-school season last year. As such, this year, working parents will have to face a particularly complicated return to academic routines.
With that in mind, here are five tips for working parents to transition into the school year:
Five Tips To Help Working Parents Transition Into a New School Year
Have a Schedule
Putting everything into a calendar might seem like it limits spontaneity. You don’t have to get as granular as “5:15 PM: Hug Tommy.” But a certain about of planning and preparation is necessary to achieve a good work/life balance.
Create a formal schedule and have a process for sharing the details with everyone involved. This way, you can spotlight when a big event is coming, either at work or in your personal life. This way, you make sure you’re covered for that business trip or that you can make time for Tommy’s band concert.
Here are a few tips for creating a schedule you can stick to:
- Create a routine
- Try to stay organized
- Communicate with everything
- Write down dates as soon as you learn about them
- Get help from apps and other tools
Involve Your Kids in the Planning Process
Kids understand more than most people realize. Involve them in the scheduling process. This will make them stakeholders in your back-to-school balancing act.
As the school year drags on, share your struggles at work and let your kids know what kind of support they could give. You might be surprised by how willing they are to help out. At the very least, the conversation will help them understand your divided attention.
Tap into Your Support System
Don’t try to tackle the back-to-school season on your own. You have a support system around you that can give you the help you need. Talk to your parents, friends, coworkers, neighbors, and anyone who can ease your burden.
Think about solutions like carpools and after-school babysitting. Build connections with your kids’ teachers so that you can stay in the loop about what they need.
Talk to Your Employer
Touch base with your manager about the upcoming back-to-school season. Chances are that they are facing many of the same challenges you are. You might find a surprise ally.
Moreover, this might be the perfect year to bring up these issues. COVID has led to a significant increase in flexibility in work schedules. You might be able to take advantage of the added options available in the post-pandemic world.
Don’t Beat Yourself Up.
Balancing a career and family is hard. You’ll have to make compromises. There will be times you won’t be the employee you want to be and other moments when you feel like you’re coming up short as a parent.
Don’t get down on yourself. You’re probably doing much better than you think. Take time to appreciate how much you give to all parts of your life.
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