For many working parents, getting the balance between work and making time for kids can be a huge challenge. With late hours and long commute times, those who work full-time and hence see their child very little often feel guilty for not spending enough time with their youngsters. There is also the worry that the child will become more attached to whoever is the primary caretaker and with whom she may spend most of her waking hours. While this type of attachment is natural it can still be disconcerting as a parent.
Coming home from the office day you may want to cram in as much time with your child as possible, but we all know that towards the evenings even children’s enthusiasm wanes as tiredness sets in. However, the situation is not all bad. As studies have shown, what matters is not the amount of time you spend but how you spend your time with your child that counts. And there are ways to make even a few minutes go a long way.
For example, when you get home and have to hurry up with organising dinner or completing household chores, allow your kids to participate in any small way they can and show them you appreciate their help. Teaching your kids basic cooking or having a conversation with them as you both put away the laundry can be a good way to catch up on what’s going on in their lives.
You may not get enough time for kids as you’d like during the week but weekends are a good way to make your children feel special and build strong bonds with them. Kids love going out and a trip to the mall, a historical site or a family picnic in the park will give you tons to talk about. A meal in a restaurant to celebrate your free time with them can show them how much they mean to you.
There are other ways to be there for your child and get something back as well. If possible try to attend your child’s school events, whether cultural or academic. Going to parent-teacher meetings keeps you up to date on her progress and learn how she is perceived by her peers and other adults.
When making time for your child, be careful not to let your guilt override discipline. If your child has unreasonable or several demands, reason with him as to why he wants or needs things, and don’t be afraid to lose favour with him by saying no. This will only teach him to respect your decisions for him and help him make reasonable choices.
Share your thoughts on juggling work and parenting with other readers in the comments below. Please like FamiLife’s page on Facebook so that you get all our articles and others can find us.