As a single parent, how do you maintain balance?

Mz.Faye · Joined: 04 Aug 2008 Posts: 7

Work & Home, Home & Work. If you are like so many of us, your life consists of these main two things. However, taking time for yourself is important to your over all health. What are some of the creative ways, busy moms and dads, who work outside of the home, balance the two? How do you fit yourself into the equation?

ZammaJannan · Joined: 15 Aug 2008 Posts: 10

I was a single parent. I raised two girls with absolutely no help. I worked 50 hours per week. Because of my work schedule, every spare second of time was spent with my girls. There were some hobbies that I enjoyed before becoming a single parent, so I tried to get my girls involved in them, but for the most part there was no interest, so the hobbies fell by the wayside. I'd say my biggest win came when I was able to get them interested in volunteer work. As a family we worked together on many projects for Habitat for Humanity and other community and humanitarian organizations. I found it really charged my batteries and didn't take away from my time with the kids.

Raven · Joined: 01 May 2008 Posts: 154

I'm a single mom with a 4 year old daughter.

I work full time from home and I tend to work almost every day - so my home/work balance is VERY tricky. But I'm careful and my daughter understands that the 'work room' - my office - is where I have to sit when i'm making money so we can eat. My mom comes over and watches my daughter for a few hours if she's not at kinder to give me time to work.

I'll also take a long lunch break when my daughter is home to spend time with her, play or go to the park - whatever she wants.

The freedom to stop work and just sit down and play when my daughter needs me was the main reason I chose to build my home-business. I'm so glad I did now. I wouldn't change it for anything!
_________________
I write full-time for a living. It's easier than you think!
http://ravens-writing.blogspot.com

klarity · Joined: 06 Sep 2008 Posts: 10

Kudos!!!

I'm a single parent to a 5 old year. I home school and work on 2 businesses while freelancing.

I'm meeting people with children so that my son has a regular group of children to interact with. Working at night while tending to him during the day is a balancing act. Currently, I am working on generating income as easily as possible. I'd like to go to sleep before 3 am.

Home schooling does take some discipline and patience, but it's fun and rewarding. There's time outside of classroom time, where he plays with other kids or participates in some activity. I work to manage household responsibilities and keep in touch with family and friends. We have recreation time together, like dining or going to the movies, sometimes including friends or family.

I am excited about establishing more consistency with our schedule, but I work not to beat myself up about it. Rolling Eyes

Niltusk · Joined: 08 Sep 2008 Posts: 10

I think the hardest part of maintaining any balance, is having the discipline to stay the course you have set.

I went to Raven's blog, her latest entry she outlined her typical week, its pretty cool to see how people plan their time. When you are working for yourself it has to be imperative that you maintain your own deadlines as you have no one there telling you to get to work. Maintaining family/working balance is rough, its way too easy to get lost in one or the other and feel as though you are losing out, i think I am going to try to make a weekly outline similar to Ravens.

PPA · Joined: 30 Sep 2008 Posts: 4

That is hard for those of us who are married so I can imagine how difficult it is as a single parent. We have an interesting program at the YMCA/Jewish Community Center, they have kids nights where parents can drop off children from 7pm to 10 pm (cost is $15.00) and the councelors entertain the children. Sometime they r themed PJ night, movie night etc. PS- they provide Pizza and a snack as well. I also try to get up early on the weekends and get things done before the family is up...this gives me more time with them.

Cheers!!!
PPA