Mother’s Day is recently behind us, and Father’s Day is fast approaching. Both are great for celebrating the joys (and chaos) of parenting, but where’s the day for working parents? You know, the ones sprinting between Zoom meetings and soccer practice, surviving on coffee and leftovers. Honestly, juggling work and kids deserves more than just a day—it deserves a parade. Or at least a nap.
Trying to keep up with both work and family life can feel a lot like drinking from a firehose; nonstop, overwhelming, and a little messy. As someone newly into the wild ride of being a working parent, I often find myself asking how someone does it.
Like any new adventure, becoming a working parent comes with a healthy dose of research, trial and error. This month I’ve created a list of tools, tips and tricks I’ve been given or gathered in my journey thus far in hopes they will help you (and me) shine a little brighter at work and at home:
- You can’t create more hours in a day. Instead, get smart with your time. Time-blocking is a necessity for not only meetings but completing tasks.
- Start with positive affirmations. A little self-encouragement goes a long way, and your mindset matters more than you think. There is an app, Motivations, that gives you daily affirmations and motivational quotes right on your main screen as a widget. I highly recommend you download it if you’re needing some inspiration!
- Set boundaries and stick to them. Many of us in Medical Affairs work from home, which makes it all too easy for work and personal life to blur. Create dedicated, distraction-free time for work so you can be fully present and productive. When you wrap up your day feeling accomplished, it takes the pressure off and lets you enjoy family time without the guilt.
- Give yourself credit. Seriously, you’re doing a lot. Don’t brush past your wins, no matter how small they seem.
- Stop multitasking (really). It feels productive, but it often backfires. Focusing on one task at a time helps you get things done, not just started.
- Hard doesn’t mean impossible. Some days feel like a mountain climb but keep going, as progress is still progress and be grateful for this journey (check out our former blog on how to flex that gratitude muscle).
- Write it down. Whether it’s in an app, a planner, or a Post-it note; Getting your goals and to-dos out of your head is a game changer.
- Take care of yourself. You can’t pour from an empty cup. Take a breath, slow down, and give yourself space to recharge. In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, revisit one of our past blog posts that shares helpful tips for boosting your overall wellbeing.
- Ask for help—and be specific. Whether it’s at home or at work, let people know how they can support you and delegate.
And finally, don’t keep the journey to yourself! Talking about it helps more than you think. Being a working parent can feel isolating at times, but the truth is, none of us are doing this alone. We’re all figuring it out as we go, doing the best we can.
I’d love to hear from you: What tips, ideas, or hard-earned lessons have helped you navigate the juggle? Drop them in the comments below and let’s learn from each other!