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Working full time with children isn’t easy. The long hours at the office, followed by the nightly duties of caring for another human being (or multiple) can become exhausting.
And with the average cost of childcare in Australia being reasonably high, many parents find themselves questioning whether they’re ultimately just working to pay for childcare. But don’t worry, it’s perfectly natural. Knowing how to manage a job and a baby is nothing short of an art form. It is, however, possible to strike a good balance, it just takes a bit of planning.
So to help you find a better work-life balance, try these four tips.
1. Prioritise Location
Working full time with children isn’t easy. The long hours at the office, followed by the nightly duties of caring for another human being (or multiple) can become exhausting. And with the average cost of childcare in Australia being reasonably high, many parents find themselves questioning whether they’re ultimately just working to pay for childcare.
But don’t worry, it’s perfectly natural. Knowing how to manage a job and a baby is nothing short of an art form. It is, however, possible to strike a good balance, it just takes a bit of planning. So to help you find a better work-life balance, try these four tips.
2. Find the Right Daycare
Leaving your child all day can be difficult but putting your child in daycare is a necessity if you have to work and don’t have any other form of support. So to give yourself the peace of mind and confidence to leave your child, you need to make sure you’re happy with your daycare.
Essentially, you need to feel that your child is receiving the best childcare.
Daycare isn’t just about babysitting; it’s about providing your child with new experiences and opportunities for development in a nurturing & safe environment. So before you choose a daycare centre, check to see if they have indoor & outdoor facilities and a school readiness program.
Knowing your child is in good hands will make you more relaxed and able to focus during work hours.
3. Draw Your Own Boundaries
In most workplaces, people will keep asking you to do more until you say no. It’s, therefore, up to you to set the boundaries yourself. If you need to leave at 5 pm to pick up your little one, make sure your team know it’s a non-negotiable part of your new routine.
This also goes for your own career expectations. There’s no reason why you can’t aim for a promotion, but make sure you give yourself a realistic balance. For example, you may not be able to work sixty hours a week any more, but with careful planning and some support, you could still put in forty hours and get things done.
4. Know Your Rights
Managing your boss’ expectations will be a thousand times easier if you know what your legal rights are, so make sure you’re familiar with the government’s policies on Fair Work. You should also know what your company’s policies are on parents and flexible working. Even working from home one day a week could give you an extra few hours by eliminating your commute.
It’s all about knowing what’s available & making it work to your advantage.
Balancing work and childcare is tough, but with careful planning, it is possible. Half the battle is choosing a daycare that works for you, and the other half is setting up boundaries at work. Knowing your rights will help you to set up a manageable schedule that can work around your specific needs. The key is to be realistic and to negotiate a set-up that actually works for you.
Want more tips for parents? Here are some of our related articles you might find interesting:
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