Being new parents can often seem like a full-time job. If the mother has to stay with the kid most of the time and breastfed the kid, there are a lot of other things for dads to do to help take care of their baby, in addition to chores in and around the house.
But, the main trouble starts when you have to get back to work (office)!
Although working definitely can be important for your career and the financial future of your family, if you don't figure out a way to balance the time you spend at work with the time spent with the family, you may miss out on important opportunities.
One should develop good managing skills for all these activities.
Plan in advance
1. Get organized:
It's amazing how many people spin their wheels, each day looking for lost keys, phone numbers, formal clothes, or a specific pair of shoes. Spend a weekend getting yourself organized for work. Stick a list at a place where you move around frequently, like the refrigerator- Each time you miss something, add it to the list.
2. Write things down:
Always, keep a small notepad handy. When you think of something you need to do, jot down a reminder. This will save you endless minutes recalling just what you were supposed to do.
3. Get an engagement calendar:
Get a calendar to write down all your engagements, addresses, and phone numbers. By keeping all the information in one place, you won't have to dig for it later.
4. Designate days:
Choose a day or a night to do your grocery shopping and errand running each week. Choose a day to clean your home. Stick to your schedule and forget about these responsibilities during the rest of the week.
5. Do things in bulk:
When possible, buy groceries and drugstore items in bulk to save a trip to the store. When you prepare one casserole, make one or two extras and freeze them. Work smartly.
6. Do a dry run:
If you are going to leave your baby with a nanny, make sure the day you join the office is not the first day for your younger one with the caretaker. Do a few practice runs. Ensure that your caretaker and baby have enough time to bond and get used to each other. Â
Related: 6 ways to make parenthood a happier journey
When at work
1. Finish what you have started-one at a time:
When you start a project, see it through to the end. Leaving many unfinished projects causes anxiety about finishing each, and soon you'll be spinning your wheels.
2. Review your priorities:
Don't go full time, don't overload. If you can delegate some tasks to other colleagues, don't be embarrassed to seek support.
3. Talk to your manager/boss:
Be upfront and talk about your current situation with your manager/boss. Finding a balance between work and family can be especially hard for parents who have to travel a lot as a part of their job. Request the superiors if they can tweak your job role so that you can work from home or visit the office only on certain days. Try to spend as much time at home as you can, without sacrificing your own career plans. It is one of the best ways to balance work and family time.
Related: Does parental stress have an impact on children?
After work
- Don't bring work home with you, so that when you are home with your family, you are really home and can spend quality time with them.
- On the way home from work, turn off the phone, turn up the stereo and use the time to de-stress so you come home ready to be the caretaker.
- As your kids get older, tell them about your work – where it is, what you do, what happened to you today. You could call them from work, or take them in and show them around if it’s safe.
- Make some special time for your family, no matter how much time you have to spend at work.
- Keep everything you want to read, including mail and magazines, by your bed and read 10 minutes a night to unwind.
In a nutshell
Every family is unique, so balance can look different in different families. To get things working for your family, it's a good idea to start by talking with your partner about the type of parents you both want to be. Your chances of finding a good balance are greater when you work together.
