Becoming a parent means a lot of changes, especially as your child reaches nursery or school age. From pick-ups and drop-offs to managing busy schedules, it’s hard to know if you’re coming or going – and that’s without the added challenge of work! But adjusting your working pattern is a normal part of parenting, and will help you find ways to manage your day to juggle work and family. Take a look at the following suggestions to help you get the balance right.
Work out what’s needed
Many parents struggle to manage childcare and work. Childcare costs can be extremely high for working families, but there are some government schemes you could be eligible for to help out. Sit down to work out what childcare is needed, and how much you can work – you might have different options to consider, such as reducing your hours, condensing your hours or enlisting a family member to help you out.
Discuss flexible working with your employer
Flexible working is becoming more and more common in the UK, allowing individuals to request changes to working hours and location to help suit their needs. This can be ideal for families looking to manage childcare around their working day. Everyone has a right to request flexible working from the first day of their job, so consider putting in a flexible working application to help you accommodate childcare. While employers aren’t obligated to approve your application, they have to deal with them in a ‘reasonable manner,’ so making a strong case could make it more difficult to refuse!
Start working for yourself
Another suggestion is to start working for yourself, even if it’s just temporarily while you navigate your child’s early years. You’ll be in charge of your own time and may prefer the pace of life compared to working for someone else. Some great ideas include:
Use your skills as a freelancer
If you work in a field that lends itself to freelancing, such as accounting, marketing, graphic design, etc., you could maintain your career while changing how you work. This can take away some of the pressure of working for an employer, allowing you to choose your own hours and projects.
Become a driver
Becoming a driver can be an excellent way to make money while choosing your own working hours. You can rent phv car weekly and work hours that suit you. Several companies offer driving work, including Uber, Veezu and local taxi firms, which could be ideal for either working for yourself or supplementing your other income.
Dog walking
Dog walking is a fantastic job to do while working around the school run and other commitments. It’s flexible, enjoyable and very in demand. It can be an excellent way to get fit and healthy too!
Childcare
Childcare can be another way to balance family life and earning a wage. You will need to take on some additional qualifications to ensure you’ve got the relevant skills, but there are plenty of ways you can learn online and still balance your other responsibilities.
Making changes to how and when you work can make a big difference as a parent. Whether you adjust your current working pattern or try something else altogether, find a routine that works for you to help you navigate this exciting new chapter in your life.