Creative And Practical Ideas For The Working Parent

Being a parent is already a full time job, but if you are forced to work 9 to 5, things can get pretty hectic in your life. Fulfilling both roles require that you are present, focused and engaged; so that it is no wonder that more working parents experience symptoms of burnout and chronic exhaustion than ever before.

Most parents who are full time employed do everything possible to have their children well taken care of when they are away from home. Whether opting for a grandparent living nearby, a family friend or distant relative, parents can be really creative in this department. But what they do not know is that hiring a professional, certified caretaker or nanny can be far more lucrative for the whole family. First of all, such a person is qualified to make sure that your children will be cognitively stimulated, played with and even helped with their homework if necessary. Having a full time nanny also means that other small chores around the house are done, so that by the time you and your partner get home from work, dinner will be waiting on the table and your children will have had a great day even without you.

If spending more time with your children is the primary objective you have set out, then try talking with your boss to see if there is any possibility that you can come to work one, two hours earlier and leave sooner in the afternoon. In this way you can still squeeze in a family dinner at a restaurant, a long walk in the park or to the playground. Remember that this time is precious and you can make it count as you see fit. For example, you can go out together with your partner for some alone time to a movie. No matter what you choose, it is important to never forget about yourself and your need for personal time.

Play dates were surely invented to encourage and develop children's social skills, but, to no surprise, also for parents' peace of mind. Therefore, another idea for having some personal time for resting, doing your chores around the house or just quietly reading a book, is arranging supervised play dates.

As a working parent your daily schedule can get really busy; with all the responsibilities at some point you are bound to feel overwhelmed. This is the perfect time to initiate your little ones with the easier chores around the house that they can help you with, such as: washing the dishes, helping you with the cooking, dusting or picking up the toys scattered around the house, cleaning their rooms and so on.

Abigail Simmons is Author of Positive Parenting Secrets Book. She has helped many parents solve their parenting problem using her practical positive parenting techniques. To learn more about her parenting tips and techniques, please visit http://www.101ParentingResources.com

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Working Together As a Family

There is no possible way that I could do all the work involved with running our household of seven. The amount of laundry alone is a week-long chore. Add to that all of the meal prep, dishes, yardwork, and necessary house cleaning.

One person could never do it all. So, we work together as a family.

Each one of us is responsible for everyday chores, and we all pitch in when there is a larger project to complete.

The chores are divided up by age and ability. Our older kids can do the dishwasher, sweep and vacuum, and help with meals and laundry. Our middle child folds towels and feeds our cat. Even the twins help out by cleaning up their toys and making their beds. Each one of our kids has a chore chart hanging on the bulletin board by our back door. They are responsible for completing it every day in order to earn thirty minutes of electronics (Wii, Xbox, or other video games).

Our household would fall apart without everyone pitching in. When we all do our part, the work gets done quickly and without confusion over whose job it is. By completing the chore lists early in the day, we are free to work on schoolwork and other things during the day. We can take a trip to the library in the afternoon, or we can bake cookies. We can go on a hike or play outdoors. With the work not hanging over our heads, we can have fun time together as a family.

Having designated chores helps everyone feel like he or she is a contributing member of this family. Responsibility breeds ownership. Our kids take pride in their work, and they do a great job. Each person is essential to the overall success of this family.

As a mother, I am helping my children learn how to run a household. Someday they will need these skills to contribute to their own families. My children are learning to cook, clean, do laundry, work in the yard, and help their younger siblings. These skills are just as important as the skills they are learning from schoolwork and the various classes they take. It also takes a load off me. We moms tend to take on the whole world and then wonder why we feel so frustrated and overwhelmed. I have learned to delegate. Delegating these chores is a win-win for our family.

Carrie Sharpe and her husband, Ryan, write a weekday blog called "He says, She says" (http://www.ryancarriesharpe.com). After their son, Maverick, almost died at birth they began public speaking to share their story with others in a way of giving encouragement and hope. They have spoken to a wide range of audiences across the United States and Canada. They live in beautiful Northern Michigan with their five children: Madison, Maguire, Maverick, Marin, and Moxie-Mae.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carrie_L_Sharpe

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