{"id":174000001116,"date":"2021-02-19T10:43:29","date_gmt":"2021-02-19T15:43:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kidsrkids.com\/avalon-park\/?p=174000001116"},"modified":"2021-02-19T10:56:49","modified_gmt":"2021-02-19T15:56:49","slug":"from-work-mode-to-parent-mode","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kidsrkids.com\/avalon-park\/2021\/02\/19\/from-work-mode-to-parent-mode\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Switch Gears From Work Mode to Parent Mode"},"content":{"rendered":"

Switching gears from work mode to parent mode has never been easy. It has been getting more challenging over the last few years as smartphones have extended work expectations after hours. The pandemic has made it even harder. It\u2019s redefined work-life balance for many parents, especially those of us who are working from home.<\/p>\n

Many of us are feeling burnt out from juggling work and kids during these unusual times. Luckily, you can improve your balancing act. Here are a few tips to help.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/h3>\n

#1. Schedule it!<\/h3>\n

Both children and adults thrive when we have a regular schedule or routine. While everyday with kids is never the same, establishing a routine will help your days run smoother.<\/p>\n

In your schedule, block out time to spend with your kids\u2014such as lunchtime and 5 to 10-minute check-ins\u2014along with blocks of work time. If your children know they will have your undivided attention during lunch and at a couple of other points in the day, they may be less likely to interrupt you while you are working.<\/p>\n

If work emails or calls often interrupt family time in the evening or on weeks, you may want to schedule a block of time when your phone will be off or silent. You may need to share with your boss or client that you will be unavailable at those times.<\/p>\n

#2. Build-in Grace<\/h3>\n

Be realistic with yourself about your capacity each week. If you are under a tight deadline, give yourself grace and cut out some family obligations that week. If your child has a large project due that they need help with, adapt your work schedule to accommodate their needs. You aren\u2019t the only one trying to balance life and work. Many people are in the same position. Build grace into your schedule and your outlook. Accept that some weeks won\u2019t be as balanced as others.<\/p>\n

#3. Plan Ahead<\/h3>\n

Before each week starts, look over your schedule. Is the coming week packed with late meetings or big projects? If it is, decide on what your meal plan will be for those evenings now. You could choose to prep meals ahead of time or decide that those nights you\u2019ll be ordering in. Making those decisions early will decrease your stress during the week. If you have a toddler or preschooler that often interrupts you during your work blocks, you may want to prep a sensory box<\/a> or craft that will engage them while you work.<\/p>\n

#4. Shut Off Your Work Brain<\/h3>\n

When you spend time with your kids, shut off your work brain, even if it\u2019s the middle of a weekday. Listen to their stories, answer their questions, and ask them your own. Give yourself permission to take a break with them to go on a walk or toss a ball around outside in your yard. Instead of rushing through lunch with them\u2014thinking about that email you need to respond to or that approaching deadline\u2014be present with them.
\nTaking mental breaks when you are with your children is as good for you as it is for them. It can allow your brain to reset and give you fresh eyes when you return to your work.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/h3>\n

#5. Give Yourself Time to Switch from Work-Mode to Parent-Mode<\/h3>\n

Give yourself some time to adjust when you need to switch from work-mode to parent-mode. There may be moments when all you need is to close your eyes and take a deep breath before answering your child\u2019s question. At other times, you may need to step away and spend some time by yourself.<\/p>\n

Establishing an end of day ritual can be an excellent way to help you make the transition. It\u2019s normal to need time to transition from one mode to another. Reading for pleasure for 10 \u2013 20 minutes can be a great way to reset and recharge at the end of your workday. For some people, changing from work clothes to leisurewear helps them adjust. Think about what could be the right end of day transition for you.<\/p>\n

Finding a childcare provider that you can trust can also help alleviate some of these challenges. Kids \u2018R Kids Avalon Park has pioneered safety precautions<\/a> throughout this time to keep our kids, their families, and our staff safe through this pandemic. If you\u2019d like to learn more, contact us!<\/p>\n

We hope that these tips help you find more balance in your life during this tough year!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Switching gears from work mode to parent mode has never been easy. It has been getting more challenging over the last few years as smartphones have extended work expectations after hours. The pandemic has made it even harder. It\u2019s redefined work-life balance for many parents, especially those of us who are working from home. Many […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":289,"featured_media":174000001117,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[174000000030],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-174000001116","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-home-learning"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nHow to Switch Gears From Work Mode to Parent Mode<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Many of us are feeling burnt out from juggling work and kids during these unusual times. Luckily, you can improve your balancing act.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/kidsrkids.com\/avalon-park\/2021\/02\/19\/from-work-mode-to-parent-mode\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to Switch Gears From Work Mode to Parent Mode\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Many of us are feeling burnt out from juggling work and kids during these unusual times. 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