Practical Tips for Finding Time as a Parent: Balancing Family and Personal Life

Being a parent can feel like a constant balancing act between work life and home life, social life, and just plain alone time. If we suspect that we're shortchanging one of these areas (usually the work or home life) we feel guilty, and that can get in the way of life enjoyment. So how can we spend time with kids while doing solid work, doing the grocery shopping, having a life of our own, and making time for the in-laws? In this article, we'll explore some evidence-based strategies to help get all of your roles in balance and diminish the guilt that can ride the coattails of parenthood.

Managing Your Time Effectively

The first factor to tangle with is time management. Create a daily schedule that includes dedicated time for work, family, and personal activities.

Prioritize tasks and focus on the most important ones first to maximize productivity. Obviously, parenting takes priority most of the time, but make sure that you try to schedule things out in a way that makes sense. Big work projects may take up more time in some weeks. If you have two kids or more, make sure that you make time for one or two hours with each one alone. Even if you can't do it once a week, once a month can work too.

Don't just rely on your memory; use time-management tools like calendars, planners, or apps to stay organized and on track. An important lesson is to learn to say no to non-essential commitments that can derail your schedule. A new parent may feel excited about play dates or scheduling fun kids activities, but at the end of the day, spending time with your child doing nothing can be incredibly rewarding and renewing. On that note, finally: take breaks and prioritize yourself to avoid burnout.

Finding Alone Time as a Parent

One of the more challenging parts of being a parent is finding the time to have a moment to yourself. Wake up earlier than your kids to enjoy some quiet time and me-time. Make a cup of coffee or tea and read a book or watch the news, or just sit quietly. You can also use naptime or bedtime to squeeze in some alone time and recharge.

Also, don't be afraid to reach out to your community. Ask your partner, your in-laws, a family member, or a friend to watch the kids while you take a break. It's a win-win, because often these folks are excited to spend time with your kids and would love to get the opportunity.

Take advantage of independent play to get some free time and focus on yourself, or to do a chore or two that will free you up for some quiet time later in the day. No matter where it makes sense to find it, schedule alone time into your daily or weekly routine to make it a priority.

Prioritizing Self-Care

Make time for activities that bring you joy and help you feel refreshed, such as exercise, hobbies, or reading. You may also want to practice self-care rituals like meditation, yoga, or journaling to reduce stress and increase well-being.

Schedule preferred activities into your daily or weekly routine to make them a priority, and learn to say no to commitments that drain your energy while saying yes to those that nourish your mind, body, and soul.

Take care of your physical health by getting enough sleep, eating nutritious food, and staying hydrated. At the end of the day, kids raised by healthy parents that have enough time and energy to play have an advantage over other children.

Spending Quality Time with Your Family

Schedule regular family time, such as game nights, movie nights, or outings, to strengthen bonds and create memories. Make the most of precious time with your kids by being present and engaged during activities.

If you have multiple kids, plan activities that cater to different ages and interests, such as playing with your toddler or having a conversation with your teenage daughter while you take a walk. You can use family time to teach values, share experiences, and create traditions.

And no matter how much time you spend together with your kids as parents, make time for one-on-one interactions with each family member to foster deeper connections.

Maintaining a Healthy Work-Life Balance

Set clear boundaries between work and personal life to avoid burnout and maintain productivity, but also prioritize family time and schedule it into your daily or weekly routine.

Something you can do to make life easier is to learn to delegate tasks and ask for help when needed to manage workload and reduce stress. Take breaks and practice self-care to avoid burnout and maintain energy levels.

Finally, communicate with your partner and family members to ensure everyone is on the same page and working together to achieve a healthy work-life balance.

Asking for Help and Support

Don’t ever be afraid to ask for help from your partner, family members, or friends when you need it. Communicate your needs and boundaries clearly to avoid misunderstandings and resentment, and learn to accept help graciously and acknowledge the support you receive.

Offer help and support to others in return to build strong relationships and a sense of community, and prioritize building a support network to help you navigate the challenges of parenting.

Overcoming Guilt and Embracing Me-Time

Guilt is common when you're raising kids. Recognize that taking time for yourself is essential for your well-being and ability to be a good parent to your child or children. Let go of feelings of guilt and shame associated with taking me-time, prioritizing self-care, and scheduling it into your daily or weekly routine.

Communicate your needs and boundaries clearly to your partner and family members and intentionally celebrate the benefits of me-time, such as increased energy, productivity, and patience.

Creating a Sustainable Routine

Establish a daily routine that includes time for work, family, and personal activities in a way that makes sense for you and your parenting style.

Prioritize tasks and focus on the most important ones first to maximize productivity, and use time-management tools like calendars, planners, or apps to stay organized and on track.

Make time for yourself and schedule it into your daily or weekly routine. A mom or dad without rest is a parent who may not be giving their best self to their child or children.

Especially when getting started, review and adjust your routine regularly to ensure it remains sustainable and effective.

Getting a Little Parenting Help in Brooklyn

Kids can create a bit of imbalance in life, and it can be hard to find time to reset. Whether you are a new parent, or the mom of a five year old, therapy can help you sort your hours and get the fun, work, rest, and sleep that you so desperately need in your week.

At Williamsburg Therapy Group our team of doctoral-level Brooklyn psychotherapists offers a number of evidence-based therapeutic approaches to talk therapy that offer the tools necessary for managing stress and promoting self-care, as well as supporting time management and sharing healthy coping skills and habits that can create strong protective factors against life challenges.

If you are a mom or dad feeling overwhelmed by the amount of stress in your week, call our patient coordinator to find the right therapist to help you feel in control of your life again.