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Balancing a successful career while being a single parent can be incredibly challenging.
On average, 28% of children live with just one parent, with the majority being raised by their mothers. Single parenting presents numerous challenges, with financial strain often being the most significant. Single parents typically earn less than their married counterparts, as they must juggle the demands of full-time parenting alongside their careers.
Slightly more than half of single mothers work full-time, compared to 80% of married mothers who are in the workforce. Although it’s incredibly challenging to manage both full-time work and parenting, it is achievable with the right strategies.
One key consideration is avoiding burnout. It’s important to manage your time and energy effectively to prevent “burning the candle at both ends.” Prioritizing self-care and seeking support when needed can help you thrive in both your career and your role as a parent.
A Monthly Guide to Help Parents Balance Their Careers, Connect with Their Kids, and Establish Their Inner Strength
Survival Tips
- Set Clear Priorities: Establish what matters most to you in both your career and family life. This helps you make informed decisions and manage your time effectively, ensuring that you can devote attention to both work and parenting responsibilities.
- Create a Flexible Schedule: Look for job opportunities that offer flexible working hours. Flexibility allows you to adjust your work schedule around your children’s needs, ensuring you can be present for important moments while still meeting your professional commitments.
- Utilize Support Systems: Rely on a network of friends, family, or professional services to help manage your responsibilities. Support systems can provide childcare, help with household tasks, or offer emotional support, making it easier to balance work and parenting.
- Stay Organized: Keep a detailed calendar of your work and family commitments. Use tools like planners, apps, and reminders to stay on top of deadlines, appointments, and activities, reducing stress and ensuring you don’t overlook important tasks.
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- Communicate with Your Employer: Maintain open lines of communication with your employer about your needs as a single parent. Discuss flexible working arrangements, potential adjustments, and any support the company can offer to help you thrive in your role.
- Focus on Self-Care: Make time for activities that help you recharge and maintain your well-being. Self-care can include exercise, hobbies, or simply relaxing. Taking care of yourself ensures you have the energy and resilience needed to manage your dual responsibilities effectively.
- Develop
Time Management Skills: Learn to prioritize tasks and manage your time efficiently. Break down larger tasks into manageable steps, set realistic deadlines, and avoid procrastination to stay on top of your workload and family duties. - Leverage Technology: Use technology to streamline tasks and stay connected. Tools like
video conferencing,project management apps, and online calendars can help you manage work from home, coordinate schedules, and maintain communication with colleagues and family. - Seek Professional Development: Continue to develop your skills and advance your career through training and education. Pursuing professional development opportunities can increase your job satisfaction, open up new career paths, and enhance your ability to provide for your family.
- Embrace Flexibility and Adaptability: Be prepared to adjust your plans and expectations as needed. Flexibility and adaptability are crucial for managing the unpredictable nature of both work and parenting, helping you respond effectively to changing circumstances.
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Choose a family-friendly career
Family-friendly careers are flexible, allow for time off, and understand that your family is your priority. Maybe you want to work the typical Monday through Friday 9 to 5, or perhaps you want to work night shifts if family members are available to look after your children. Choose a career that fits into your life, versus trying to make your life fit into your career.
Forget the old concept that you must work now and live later. Escape the endless cycle that takes you from work to home then work again. Relieve financial tension without working a second job.
Make your time with family count
In other words, it’s quality time over quantity of time. Single parents need to juggle work, paying bills, housework, cooking, and running errands, plus spending time with their kids. Set aside blocks of time to really engage with your children. They’ll remember one hour of quality time much more than if you spend five hours half-focused on them and half-focused on some other task.
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Use your money wisely
Allow yourself treats now and then, but do your best to be frugal. Money management tips for single parents include monitoring their finances, creating and sticking to a
Form habits and routines
Try to structure your life as best as you can. Children (and adults) thrive off of routine. Make breakfast together each morning, go out for ice cream on Saturdays, or turn the television off when you eat dinner. It’s the little things like this that children will cherish and remember.
Learn to say no
It’s OK to say no to certain obligations. As a single working parent, you can’t do it all. Your kids and your work need to be your primary focus. It’s quite alright to skip lunch with friends or a PTA meeting now and then to rest or spend time with your family.
Damon Zahariades provides a step-by-step, strategic guide for setting boundaries and developing the assertiveness you need to maintain them. You'll learn how to say no in every situation, at home, and in the workplace.
Best and worst jobs for single parents
According to Forbes, the best jobs for single parents include teachers, public relations managers, real estate brokers, virtual assistants, and any job in health care.
Worst jobs are any jobs that may require you to work long hours and have no flexibility. Accountants, for example, typically work more during tax season. Doctors have long hours, as do some sales jobs. Keep this in mind when figuring out your career.
Though being a working single parent isn’t easy, it’s possible.
Both you and your kids will adapt and it will become their new normal. Stay positive and encouraging, especially around your little ones. Find a support system and take each day one day at a time.
A Monthly Guide to Help Parents Balance Their Careers, Connect with Their Kids, and Establish Their Inner Strength
