5 Tips on Managing Your Wellbeing as a Working Parent

Whew! Is this what you say or how you feel at the end of the day? Don’t feel like the lone ranger, as I can truly relate as the mother of two daughters, 12 and 7. My “mom” hats include the cook, housekeeper, tutor, chauffeur to/from school and activities, personal stylist, referee (when they’re arguing or actually passing hits), laundry attendant, dishwasher, and on and on and on. Let’s not forget those other hats business owner, employer, social worker, community advocate, friend, relative, counselor, yard lady, and on and on and on. Yes, it’s all familiar to me but the key is managing your personal wellbeing while balancing life as a working parent. You must take time for yourself! Here are 5 things that I do at least weekly to keep my sanity :)

1) I take time to meditate at least 10 minutes before I get out of bed in the morning to wake the girls for school. This allows me time to connect to my spiritual being, get motivated and set my intentions for the day. It helps me to not have racing thoughts on all the things I have to do that day.

2) I take at least one warm bath and soak for at least 30 minutes in essential oils (preferably lavender) when the girls go to bed so that I have uninterrupted time. I’ve tried taking a bath and either one or both of them come into the bathroom and sit on the side of tub and talk to me. LOL!

3) Develop a weekly schedule on Sundays of each week so that you know how your week is going to flow to include appointments for the kids and yourself (personal/business), school drop off/pick up, after school activities, etc and try not to allow any activities that don’t constitute an emergency deviate what’s already on your calendar. This will help you to better account for your time and keep things balanced.

4) Take a walk or exercise for at least 30 minutes each day. This gives you time to connect with yourself, it’s good for your mental health, and it gives you more energy to perform your other tasks.

5) Last but not least, ask for help! We have to learn how to delegate and outsource so that we can have more time for those things that must have our attention, such as our kids. This include a personal chef or someone to do meal prep, housekeeper, tutor, personal assistant, lawncare company to manage yard, etc. I’ve found that my kids are also really good at some of these tasks so my oldest daughter tutors my youngest daughter at times. They both help me cook in the kitchen and make out grocery shopping list. They both know how to use the vacuum so they rotate general areas and maintain their own bedrooms.

Taking time for ourselves as working parents is not only good for us, but it’s also good for our kids. With a balanced life, it allows us to fully show up for our kids, be more patient and have fun with them because we were able to replenish our energy, and it teaches them, as kids, that life isn’t always about the hustle and bustle of the world, but taking time for yourself and finding balance.