How to balance work and parenting as a single mum

Being a single parent is no joke. Add a full time work schedule to that, and it’s understandable that you get overwhelmed. 

No matter how much you really want to be a perfect mum to your kids, life has a funny way of throwing curve balls making things difficult.  But, there is always a way to make everything easier. 

This list could help you find that balance between your work life and parenting duties. Check it out. 

1. Set realistic expectations 

Sometimes we make plans and then life happens and our plans are thrown out the window.  Setting unrealistic expectations could kill your happiness and make you develop a negative outlook on life. 

To help you remain positive even when things run amok, set realistic expectations. Even though being a single parent wasn’t in the plan, you can always make the decision to be the best parent you can be. It might be tough at the beginning, but you’ll get the hang of it with time.

2. Always prioritize your kids

A job is replaceable but your children aren’t. And this is why your first priority should always be your children. They need your love and attention and the last thing you want is for them to feel neglected. Keep your work life and home life separate and focus on spending quality time with them.

3. Have a strong support system

Being a single parent doesn’t mean you have to do everything on your own. It’s essential to have family members and friends who can have your back when you need them. Having them around isn’t only for the purpose of a backup to help with some parenting duties when you’re not in a position to. It’s also about the emotional support. It helps to have people to vent to from time to time.

4. Teach your kids responsibiliy

Teaching your kids how to take care of themselves could really create a balance. Of course you can’t expect them to clean the whole house or cook for themselves when they’re only three years old but when they grow up a little, they can learn how to do basic things for themselves. If at any point you’ll be running late getting home from work for example, you can relax knowing that they can use the microwave to heat something to eat. 

5. Perfect your time management

Good time management will save you a lot of stress in the long run. Lack of proper planning will put your parenting and work duties in jeopardy. 

Good time management comes from having a strict schedule that will keep you on track. For instance, prepare school snacks the night before, use organising apps to know what needs to be done when and schedule tasks for specific tasks.

6. Take care of your needs

As you work to strike that balance between parenting and your job, find some ‘me’ time for yourself. Pushing back your needs all the time might leave you feeling drained and overwhelmed. Me time can be in the form of a five minute daily meditation or getting a mani/pedi. Look for activities that help you relax and include them in your schedule.

7. Talk to your boss about your situation

Let your boss know your home situation so that they can be more understanding and patient with you. Try and approach them at a time when they aren’t too distracted so that they can fully understand what you’re telling them. This will definitely ease your mind as you work on creating that work life balance.