Juggling parenting, work and our better halfs. Tips for coping!

At some point in time most of us return to work either because we have too for financial reaons or because we choose to so that we can feel human again. The aim of this article is to hopefully offer some tips to help cope with the stress and time

So the decision  has been made to return to work. If you have a job to return to thats great if not then that is good to because thta means you can look for some thing that possibly suits your routine and lifestyle. For me a big decision was child care. Discussing it with my partner we decided not to go that way, not that we don't like the idea, it just wasn't for us. Shayne works for 7 am to 4 pm  so this meant I needed something outside of those hours but also something that was going to be challenging sastisfying but something that could stay at work. Finding a job I enoyed was important because it meant I was less likely to stress about it and make the quality of time I spent with my boys a lot better. That is my first tip. Find something enjoyable.

Prioritising. Put your family and yourself first where ever possible. So if your at home and your kids want to play, play with them. The dishes will still be there in an hour. If your better half wants to talk about each others day or spend some time together doing something do it. Obviously there are goiing to be times when you cant just drop what you are doing and thats ok. The times we do are the ones that are going to be remembered for a very long time. You also need to take some time for yourself so you don't burn out and go bananas. Even if once a week you leave the kids with dad/mum and catch up with a girlfriend/mate, or getting them to take the kids out so you can have a bath in piece  or watch the game. What ever you find relaxing. Also if you do get a regular amount of time to do house work eg kids sleeping or at school etc, Use this time where possible to do what you need to and if you need a nap or want to sit and have a break then do that to.

Work, so you have returned to work. Don't over do it. Only work when you have too. Possibly try and work a regular number of hours a week and at the same times. That way you can get into a routine which helps with my next tip. Time management. If you have a regular routine if you ever need to make plans you know what you are doing and when you are available so you don't double book yourslef or have too many things on in a day and end up pushing and stressing yourself out. It's not worth it in the end.

In the end the most important things in our lives should be our family and selves. If working is not working out for you or causing to much extra strain on your personnel relationships then perhaps it would be a good idea to sit down and refigure out how to make things work. If your not happy at your current job don't be afraid to step out and find something new. A change is as good as a holiday.

These are my top tips for coping, I hope you enjoyed and found it useful.

Karen. xx.