How to Keep Going as a Working Parent When Things Get Hard

If you are a parent who works from home or the office, this is for you!

RESILIENCE is the ability to bounce back quickly from problems. It is also called toughness.

We all want our kids to be strong, and we hope to teach them how to do that. How quickly we can get back on our feet after a setback says a lot about who we are and where we want to go. In hard times like these, it’s important to have the right attitude and approach, especially for working parents who are juggling more than ever.

Here are some ideas to help parents who work deal with the stress of these hard times.

Know that problems are a part of life. The hard times shape us and teach us the most important lessons. If you change your way of thinking to see the good in bad things, you will be better able to adapt, feel less anxious, and de-stress when things go wrong or when life throws you a curveball. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!

You are not alone—This pandemic has made some parents feel very alone, but the key to being strong is to remember that you are not alone. We’re all in this situation together. Whether you keep working from home or go back to the office, there will be days when you need help, and that’s fine. Asking for help, whether from a partner, a family member or a trusted babysitter, is a sign of strength.

Be flexible. Our lives have been turned upside down, and your kids are also getting used to the situation and the surprises it brings. For example, it can be hard to teach kids how important “work time” is, but being resilient is all about being able to change. Find ways to make working well for you and your family. For example, teach your kids where to stand when mom or dad is on a video call or how to act in the home office. We need to change the way we work if we want to do well in this unusual time.

Make a plan. Just because we are flexible doesn’t mean we don’t need a plan to be productive. As a full-time parent who works from home, it is important to set clear expectations, organize spaces, and make detailed plans. Sometimes, you need to plan when you’re going to eat and when you’re going to check your email. To be resilient, you have to figure out how to make a new routine that works best.

Self-care: When things are hard, it’s easy to make bad decisions, like eating all the junk food in your pantry or not going to the gym as much as you should. But it’s so important to make good decisions, especially the ones you can control. Don’t eat out of stress, and try to get into healthy habits. There are a lot of other ways to relieve stress, like working out, taking a warm bath or nap, or starting a new hobby. You have to take care of yourself before you can help other people, as they say on planes. Find the method that helps you relax the most, and then use it.

Help other people. This one is easy. As parents, we do this so naturally that we don’t even realize it. We’re always there for our kids. Most people who work on being resilient are happy to help others. Giving to others takes your mind off your own problems and makes you happy. Find happiness in being good, and do random acts of kindness. During times like these, even the smallest actions can make a big difference.

Build up your resilience. Remember that what you’re going through isn’t forever. Even this will end. Find the good in it and take it day by day. You shouldn’t ignore the “good” things that are coming out of this hard time. You have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to slow down, spend as much time with your family as you can, learn new skills, and so much more! The better you get at getting through hard times, the easier it will be for you to get through hard times in the future.