Which working parent hasn’t felt guilty about missing their child’s relay race or dance rehearsals or both? As per a study conducted almost 2 decades ago by professionals revealed how these two aspects are allies and enemies both.
EFFECTS OF THE PARENT’S WORK ON CHILD’S DEVELOPMENT
In the earlier joint family system, raising a child was not a herculean task. This is because there were multiple caretakers for the child apart from the mother or father. Working parents are left with no family member to leave their child with. This style of parenting has its own set of positives and negatives.
POSITIVE EFFECTS
Parents who have author
rity and discretion at work tend to pass on the same maturity to their children, which ideally would help them become mentally stronger.
Children of working parents turn out to be independent, confident, and good decision-makers, as they deal with their routine problems by themselves. Their parents are not around them and hence they’re able to manage on their own.
Kids whose parents are working extremely limited time are more likely to understand that time and tide wait for no man. This teaches them about the importance and value of time at an early age.
When children notice how their parents maintain a work-life balance, it makes them treat others with more respect. This helps them manage stress better later in their lives.
HOW CAN PARENTS MAINTAIN A BALANCE?
Plan everything in advance. Get everything you and your child need for the day ready the previous night so that you prepare for a hassle-free morning. Prepare meals in a systematic way so that you and your family can enjoy delicious meals at home. Encourage your kids to extend a helping hand to you in the kitchen so that they can sustain themselves in case you’re late for work.
Hiring a babysitter is one of the options you can consider if both of you must go to work and leave your child at home. Babysitters provide an all-round support to your child, and they can get the right attention.
With the advent of technology, it is easier for working parents to buy groceries online as well as make payments for bills on time. By doing this, you will be able to spend more time with your child rather.
Understand a company’s working culture and maintain flexibility so that you can leave early in case you must attend your child’s sports tournament or drama or dance performance.
Don’t sit in the office unnecessarily. Turn off all your work notifications when you are home and avoid doing work around your children unless it is an emergency. Keep aside enough time to address your child’s concerns (if any) or share their joys.
Take time out to do things you love. Focus on the quality of time instead of quantity. Spend fruitful time with your child.
Perfection is a myth, especially when you are balancing your life between your work and home. Just focus on the present, to get your tasks done and that you do it right on time. This way, you can teach your children to develop individuality for themselves also.
However, when parents are unable to do the above, their children are often lacking the necessary support and supervision. This exposes them to addictive, unhealthy habits due to peer pressure. Children may also feel lonely if parents give less time to hear their concerns.
What may come, one cannot change the fact that in today’s times, both parents may have to work to sustain a living and ensure financial stability. But, it is important for parents to find a balanced, happy way to manage their work life and family life so that their children are raised to be happy and satisfied.