Last updated on July 24th, 2024 at 11:32 am
Well, it’s that time of year again. It’s time for the reality of kids returning to school.
For working parents, significant work-lifestyle changes and stress can be associated with this time of year.
Your children may be returning to elementary school, high school, or college. Whatever the case, it means there will be some work-lifestyle adjustments, and adjustments are always stressors to some degree.
This post will discuss three simple tips to make the back-to-school transition easier and less stressful.
I think we would all agree that our children are more important by far than any job or employment opportunity. And being genuinely present and engaged with our kids is what matters. Harvard Business Review articulates this extremely well:
“What they did find was that parents who were distracted by, or obsessed with, their work, did see an impact on their children. This is likely only more problematic today when digital devices are omnipresent. The lesson: don’t worry about whether you attend every soccer game. But when you do show up, put your phone down and be there for your kid.”
So how can working parents adapt quickly and joyfully to back-to-school time? Some of the answers may surprise you.
Let’s get started with the easy part.
Take Advantage of Flexible Work Opportunities
That means flexible work location and/or schedule. Most employers are expecting employees to return to the office, at least on a hybrid basis. For the most part, though, companies are willing to be flexible with parents who have children in school. Flexible work options can significantly reduce stress by allowing parents to manage their schedules better.
Get your back-to-school schedule figured out and approach your boss with your reasonable, flexible work request. Discuss how a flexible work arrangement can help you be more productive and maintain a better work-life balance.
Embrace the Opportunity to Watch Your Children Grow
It’s always an amazing experience to watch your kids grow intellectually, socially, and emotionally during their K-12 years and into college. As the Harvard article points out, always try to maintain the right frame of mind about your work and home life.
Slow down, set some work-life boundaries, and be completely, mindfully present with your kids when the workday is done. No excuses! Embracing remote work opportunities can also help you stay more involved in your children’s daily activities and school events.
Take Advantage of Uninterrupted Work Time
Prioritizing time can be an extremely difficult task for parents who work outside the home. Working parents need to make sure they’re setting boundaries for productive work time. Everyone knows the times of day when they are most productive. So carve out your most productive work hours and stick to them like glue! Utilizing remote work opportunities can help you find those uninterrupted work periods more easily.
And if your work-life schedule is starting to conflict significantly with your current employment situation, it might be time for a change of scenery. Seeking flexible work or remote work opportunities might provide the balance you need.
At 619 Recruiting, We Understand Work-life Balance
At 619 recruiting, we understand both sides of the hiring equation. Our unique insights into the hiring markets add huge value to our employer and candidate clients alike.
Are you a candidate looking for your next fantastic job opportunity? We can help you find positions that offer flexible work options and support a healthy work-life balance.
We might just have a great employer looking for a great candidate like you. Our team will help you find employment opportunities that align with your skills, experience, short-term employment goals, and long-term career objectives, including those with remote work opportunities.
Call us today at (866) TEAM 619, or get in touch online. Our expert recruiters are waiting for your call.
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