Parents are always on the look-out for better work-life balance. This is especially true for working parents, who often struggle to maintain this balance by juggling their careers, parenthood and all other responsibilities.

As a working parent, you might want to strike a 50/50 balance between your personal and professional lives, right?

Is it, however, realistic?

Maintaining a constant, uniform balance is obviously impractical because there will be times when one responsibility takes up more of your time than the other.

For example, if your child is sick, you must be a completely dedicated mother; if you have a work deadline, you must sacrifice something important in your family in order to complete your project on time.

It's impossible to be great all of the time, whether you work from home, part-time, full-time, or on a flexible or rigorous schedule. Sacrifices will be made somewhere along the way. Everyone's perfect balance is different.

It is important to define what work-life balance means for you individually so that you know what needs improvement and how you can achieve it.

We will however try to give a comprehensive guide that will definitely help you to better reach your own milestone of “work-life balance”.

Experts say to achieve somewhat of a balance, we need to focus on the below 4 spheres of life - achieving our own definition of “balance” in each of the spheres are needed to achieve an overall balanced life.

Here are some tips to manage each of the spheres well:

Time Management Hacks

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Write down daily, weekly, and monthly tasks on a to-do list

Making a to-do list can help you stay organized and focused on the tasks you need to complete before the end of the day. You can make a physical list or use an app on your phone to keep track of your responsibilities, but they must be prioritized and sorted from most important to least important.

Keep it close by so you may add to it whenever you have a task to complete. Mark a task with a tick after you're done with it to signal that you're ready to move on to the next.

However, don't just scribble it down. If the task will take a long time to accomplish (even an hour or two), schedule it and block out the time on your calendar. Make a to-do list and put it on your calendar to be completed.

You may also use the calendar to set a task reminder for the full day, week, or month.

A very good example of this can be making a monthly grocery list to help you save time and stress while grocery shopping.

When establishing a monthly shopping list, think about what you can buy for a month or potentially longer. Try to update the list once a month to reflect the preferences and needs of other family members. You can also make a week's worth of grocery lists.

Look for Shortcuts to save time

In some ways, life has become easier in recent years. As a working parent, you can save time and energy by incorporating several shortcuts into your daily routine.

For example, you can do your grocery shopping from different websites or online shops on a monthly or even weekly basis;

You may prepare your clothes and lunch for the next day at night so that you don't have to do these decision makings in the morning; and

You can refrigerate various sorts of prepared foods, snacks for kids to consume later.

To make your life easier, try to figure out your type of shortcuts.

Identify Time Waster

As a working parent you might always feel short of time. But still, you can save a lot of time by being mindful and planning ahead.

Decide on weekly grocery lists, so that you do not have to think what to buy everyday. Or plan weekly food meal, deciding what to cook everyday is a big time-waster. Same strategy applies if you plan what to wear to office for the next 5 days at one go.

The biggest time-waster in current times are usage fo social media. Choose when you use social media and attempt to minimize it as much as possible. When you first wake up in the morning, try not to open your social media accounts or check your email. Get rid of the mobile app and see magic happen.

Also be smart about utilizing your idle times. When you are sitting at a traffic jam or waiting for an appointment, catch up on thank you notes, respond to emails, or update your to-do list. Or even better, connect with a family member or old friend over the phone and ask how they are doing!

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Work hard to free the weekend

While it’s impossible to have the whole weekend free for yourself, you can still afford to have some of the free time by using the above tips. Take your time to plan how you can enjoy your weekend with your family.

The beauty of a free weekend is all the time you spend snuggled up with your loved ones, resting your mind and body and savoring every minute. Whether your weekend is Friday, Saturday or you have more unpredictably scheduled days off, you will make the most of your free time by completing important activities during the week. That will help you to be productive in your weekdays. As well as the bonding will be improved among the family members.

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Be fully present (100% at work)

The beauty of full involvement in work is that you can work with your full efficiency, at the same time, you are more likely to free a lot of time to use for other purposes. For example, you can invest the saved time to improve your skills. Being 100% at work allows you to finish all the assigned work at your workplace. So, you can make yourself free from the office work while you are at home.

Work Management Hacks

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Identify your Hierarchy of Importance

What is most important to you in life? Can you rank them?

You need to first decide what things are your priority and of highest value in your life. Then when you are presented with many more opportunities that take time, you can be better equipped to decide what things you want to say “yes” to and which you want to reject.

Also, it becomes easier to say “no” to many activities when you know your priority better.  

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Ensure open communication with manager

Being a working mom or dad does NOT mean you will be a less prolific employee. Surely, your life has changed. In our society, typically mothers are the primary parent when a child is sick or has an appointment, or to submit a kid's assignment and is the one responsible for picking up the child after work.

For all these reasons working moms often need more flexibility in their schedules. But a less known fact is that mothers are the super doers. From skipping lunch breaks to working on the weekends or even overnight, these women do not use their child as an excuse to slack off.

So, for the working parents, especially for the working mothers, open communications with their respective manager are required to let them know about your required flexibility as well as how you will continue to fulfil your responsibilities.

DON’T Multitask!!

Shocked with this tip? Because we have been trained to believe multitasking is good for us! Well you are up for a surprise! Multitasking is a Myth!

People who believe they can split their attention between numerous tasks at once aren't actually getting more done, according to multiple research. In reality, they do less, are more stressed out, and do worse than those who only do one thing at a time.

Task switching not only wastes time and productivity; it also makes us forgetful, less efficient and more agitated. Switching tasks can put our emotional and mental wellness in jeopardy. Neuroscientists say multitasking literally drains the energy reserves of our brain!

Gloria Mark, professor in the department of informatics at the University of California, Irvine, says that when we are interrupted, it usually takes 23 minutes and 15 seconds to return our full focus to the work. To add up to this, we tend to do two intervening tasks before going back to the original task, which leads to a build up of stress.

However not all attempts at multitasking are equally draining. It is possible for our brain to focus on something while doing something else on autopilot. For example you can have a cup of coffee while listening to a podcast or reading a book, because you do not really have to think on how to sip your cup of coffee. Just remember you cannot do two demanding, even simple tasks, in parallel.

So, Take the time to address the most important work you should be focusing on. Commit to dealing with one issue at a time.

I guarantee that if you stop multitasking and focus on what matters most, you'll not only get better results, but you'll also be more engaged in general. Whether you're attending a meeting, cooking, developing a new business strategy, or talking to your child about their day at school, you'll be more present and involved.

Let go of Perfection

There is no such thing as perfection. In fact The need for perfection is usually a big stress-generator. Continuing to aim for unachievable goals means you'll always be expecting more of yourself and putting in more work and energy to achieve perfection and in the process drain yourself to an extent that will hamper your capability of being present for what matters more.

Instead of trying to perfect everything, you always can get yourself involved in other productive things (avoid being the “perfect” mom or having the “perfect” figure) to use your time better. Or just have some quiet time to reflect on all the good things in life.

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Embrace the power of “No.”

It is not necessary to participate in every professional gossip, or even family gatherings when you have other important things to do. Saying no can be difficult, but it is a skill that allows you to have time you wouldn't otherwise have.

For a working parent this is of crucial importance. Saying one No can buy you time to spend with your child and build a better bond which both of you will cherish for the rest of your life.

Team-up with your partner

You need to have the biggest team-work with your partner. You need to decide who does what better and divide duties accordingly which will make life easy. Now there is that social expectation which always puts more pressure on the mother.

But if you actually want a balanced and happy life, it is of utmost importance that you decide amongst yourselves what your ideal work distribution should be like, disregarding the social preset.

Make an effort to set aside some time to strengthen your bonds with one another. Also, be open and honest with each other about expectations and limitations and try to find a middle ground that works for both of you, whatever that may be.

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Family Bonding Hacks

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Create Special and Meaningful family activities

Plan activities that everyone will enjoy so that you can spend quality time with your family.

Once a week, have a family game night, a backyard picnic, or a dinner date. Going out to dinner with my family is one of my favorite things to do since it allows us to explore new foods while also allowing us to have excellent talks.

You can also take the help of your older children in planning and executing quality family times.

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Have separate “Kid time”

Your kid demands your undivided attention. Spending meaningful time with them makes children feel treasured and promotes parental attachment.

Make an effort to find time in your busy schedule to sit down with your kid and do activities that you both enjoy, regardless of their age. Quality time spent with children has a big impact on their development in the early years.

If you have multiple kids it is healthy to spend individual time with each of them separately. We often do not take this into consideration and focus only on full family quality time. But each of our kids are unique and their interest, need for attention is different.

Having separate time with each ensures you can connect with them on a more personal level and bond better.

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Reset expectation

We are all humans. Everyone has certain expectations from the person we care about. It's natural for you to expect from your partner to put up the same level of effort on something as you do.

However, it is not necessary that your partner will act in the same manner as you want. Everyone is different, everyone has different priorities, thoughts and feelings. Resetting expectations can sometimes help families build stronger ties.

In this respect, we all should discuss our expectations with our partner and see how we can reach a point which works for both.

Then just reset accordingly!

Self-care Hacks

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Focus on your Mental Health

Parenting is one of the most exhausting jobs in the world. Working days and nights both inside home and outside may cause you to lose track of your mental serenity.

But, believe me when I say that the emotional health of parents, especially mothers, should come first. As it has a direct impact with the wellbeing of your kid.

Our psychological, emotional, and social well-being all contribute to our mental health. This means that it affects how we feel, think, and behave on a daily basis. Our mental health also influences our decision-making, how we deal with stress, and how we interact with others in our lives.

Make your mental health a priority, for your sake and also for the sake of your child.

Yoga, meditation, and even daily 20 mins exercise can help you achieve some mental peace. Sharing with loved ones can work like magic for some people. Mindfulness may be improved through letting go of things and practicing thankfulness.;

Find what makes you happy and make an effort to practice it.

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Eat healthy

As a working parent you might have more duties than anyone else. Since you must take care of your home, your workplace, and spare time for your kid.

Now, what is your initial requirement in order to do so? The answer is “Sound health”

You can better serve your career and your family if you are healthy.

If you suffer your family will suffer as well. Eat a well-balanced and healthy diet and learn what you should and should not eat.

We've put together a list of 5 handy tips for you!

1. Make sure you drink plenty of water. Maintain proper hydration.

2. Remember to eat your meals timely. If possible, eat each meal at the same time.

3. Rather than putting too much effort into making food tasty, strive to eat healthily.

4. Eat a lot of vegetables.

5. Try to include at least one fruit in your daily diet.

"Self-care is not selfish," repeat to yourself.

Consider this: exercising self-care teaches your kid to appreciate themselves while also assisting you in becoming the best version of yourself. It's a win-win situation for everyone involved. You have more patience and strength when you are in good mental and physical health. You are more suited to care for others and are happier doing so when you take care of yourself.

Maintain a Fixed Sleeping Routine

Nighttime sleep can be particularly unpredictable during the early stages of parenthood because it is fully dependent on your baby's sleep routine.

Don’t lose hope! It might take time.

Always make an effort to develop a consistent nighttime schedule for your child. Take small actions to develop a nighttime sleeping habit.

In the long run, this will benefit you and your family. Fixed night habits also allow you to save time for your other responsibilities and rest.

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Schedule Regular Health Checkup

Regular health checkups can assist in the early detection of treatable abnormalities. Follow your doctor's advice when it comes to scheduling the routine tests you need to do on a regular basis,

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Introduce “Me time”

"Me time" is a lifesaver.

Unfortunately, most working parents regard "Me time" as a luxury,

But it is one of the most important time with several therapeutic advantages.

"Me time" usually works best in a peaceful and quiet environment. You can schedule your "Me time" whenever you like, whether it's first thing in the morning or late at night after work.

"Me time" can be used to make important life decisions, as well as for self-care/ self-love, also for meditation.

And, yes! You can use your "Me time" to have a cup of tea or coffee.

Lastly, keep in mind that we're all in this together: it certainly takes a village to raise kids. You may feel chaotic and out of control at times, but you'll find your equilibrium if you can locate your support, be kind to yourself, and abstain from judging yourself or others. You may wander from it now and again, but that's all part of the parenting experience. Don't be hesitant to seek help, and change isn't anything to be afraid of.

May Life become a lot easier than it was previously for all of us!

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