Any parent who has been alone in the house with their kids knows how draining it can be. While it's undeniably hard work, it's possible to manage this situation and get the house in order while also taking care of the little ones. Here are five helpful tips to get you on the right track.
1. Get Help When You Can
While you may feel like you need to shoulder the burden yourself, this is an impossible task. It's important that you’re honest with yourself and remember that you cannot do everything by yourself. For example, 52% of the people who have hired professional help have done so to improve the way their landscape looks. Another 41% of them simply wanted to save time while 30% wanted to be able to enjoy their yard more. While this example is for landscaping services, it holds true for all other areas in life, including housework and child upbringing.
2. Come up With a Routine
Another step that you can take to make sure that you have a clean house is to come up with a routine. This should help you know exactly when you need to do a certain duty or chore. This way, it may be easier to set aside the time to get it done and have enough time for the rest of the work around the house. Your routine should cover everything, including bedtime and morning activities so that everything in between can find a place to fall. Don't worry if it takes some time to stick to this routine, after a while, you will be able to cover it a bit better and it may help make your life easier.
3. Share the Responsibilities
Remember that it's also important for you to share your responsibilities. If you have children who are old enough to do some duties around the house, give them a share of the work. Make sure that it's safe enough for them and they may actually enjoy playing an active role in keeping the house clean and organized. Doing this will also help them to grow up with a sense of responsibility and not simply sit around all day waiting for things to get done. If your living situation involves living separately from your spouse, take into account the time that you will have by yourself and that which you will be with the kids. For example, 22% of fathers see their children more than one time a week when they live separately from their children. Good time management will come into play so it's something that you ought to try and perfect.
4. Keep a Positive Mindset
It may be too easy to slip into a position of sadness and let the darkness overwhelm you when the work around the house becomes a bit too much. Fight this negativity the best way you can and remember that with each new day, the kids are growing. You could look for tips to brighten your mood online and find a way to keep smiling through it. In the end, it will all work out for the best.
5. Make Some Time for Yourself
Finally, don't lose yourself to the complexities of balancing childcare with housework. Look for a way to set aside some time for yourself every day if possible. You can use this time to unwind the best way you know how, from working on a hobby to simply listening to calming music. If you're a single parent, it can be hard to separate your time from your kids but it's extremely important for your mental health. About 60% of all divorces involve individuals aged between 25 and 39. So, you may be able to find people in a similar situation that you can confide in.
Using these five tips can help keep your sanity while balancing parenting and housework. If you're willing to put in a little effort, you may soon be able to experience balance and enjoy the process!