Discover 9 essential tips to help you balance work, study, and raising toddlers. Get practical advice on time management, self-care, and making it all work without feeling overwhelmed.
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“Ever feel like there’s just not enough time in the day?”
Balancing work, study, and parenting toddlers is proving to be a lot harder than I thought. It’s a constant juggle of responsibilities that leaves little to no time for yourself. The early mornings, late nights, and the endless to-do’s can make you feel defeated but you’re not alone. It is overwhelming, and you can feel stretched thin, but many women have done it before, and we have the strength to do it too!
Every parent faces their own struggles, and it’s okay to acknowledge them, just remember you’re doing your best, and that’s more than enough. Together, let’s navigate some of these challenges with practical tips and encouragement.
The method that’s been working for our household is finding balance by splitting the day into chunks and just going with it. Here’s how our routine has typically looked like this year:
Work-from-home days: Wake up, breakfast, colouring/crafts and cartoons for the kids and laptop marathons for us.
Office/creche days: Wake up, breakfast… well, sometimes. Someone in our house is currently potty training and we’ve had broken sleep so that snooze button has been helping us “snooze” for 5 minutes extra which is a dangerous game for many reasons, mainly due to playing catch up, breakfast becomes a cereal bar/breadsticks or yogurt on the road.
Work, ironically, feels like a breather compared to managing nap schedules, play schedules and lunch prep at home.
After work, it’s a whirlwind: pick up the kids, long commute home, cook dinner while my husband handles playtime. Then the bedtime hustle: bath, pyjamas, and story time. My husband usually handles getting them to sleep since he has more willpower; I always fall asleep in that bedroom! SO nowadays I tackle laundry and toys instead. (If you’ve ever texted me around 8pm and didn’t get a reply until morning, you know why!) That being said my husband occasionally nods off too, but I go in and wake him up and when they are both asleep it’s our time 🎊, hobby time: he’s working out or breeding geckos and I’m at my laptop 💻, blogging away.
We stick to a routine because it works. The boys know what’s next- whether it’s reminding me to turn on the immersion for their bubble bath or asking when its time to go to the bedroom for a story, they are eager to be consistent with it and help.
With college days being twice a week on Zoom 15 minutes after we arrive home, time doesn’t allow for me to cook so we mostly have quick pizza for dinner, some days fish and chips with salad or pies – all air fryer foods (if you don’t have an air fryer, go buy one and thank me later!)
Among the chaos, we’ve learned to make it work. So, if you feel like there’s not much time for anything, trust me – you’ve got this. It is possible to find balance, create a routine, and make life that little bit easier.
Even on the busiest days, there’s always a way forward, here are 9 ways to help:
1: Create a Routine
- Consistent schedules give toddlers a sense of security and predictability; while helping us parents manage time and reduce stress 😅
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2: Prioritise Tasks
- Focusing on urgent tasks prevents chaos; while prioritising on important things you can leave the smaller things for another day.
3: Stay Motivated
- The hardest task is often the most important, that said, when you’re struggling to keep on top or get through what seems like a mountain, starting with a menial task or two can get you motivated.
4: Batch Tasks
- Batch tasks to be ahead; meal prepping, clothes picked out for upcoming week, activities and toys that will be used for the day (helps the clean up and makes them play with toys they forgot about)
5: Set Boundaries
- Set hours for work, study and family time. Don’t compromise with overtime when its family time. Do you allow TV/phones while its dinner time? Make it clear.
6: Practice Self-Care
- Designate time for yourself (easier only when they are sleep) to invest in your hobbies and interests. Watch makeup tutorials? Paint your nails or go for a jog?
7: Say No to Overcommitment
- Set realistic expectations.
I once juggled working full-time, studying, plus intense exams with toddlers who were aged 1 and a 1 and a bit- spoiler: it was too much, I quit!
8: Prepare the Night Before:
- I prep everything the night before – clothes, sandwiches, bags, even cutlery for breakfast! My house is a 24/7 prep zone!
9: Celebrate Small Wins 🥂:
- Whether it’s a successful nap time or a well-cooked dinner. Every achievement deserves recognition! You’re doing amazing!
Balancing work, study, and toddlers is tough, but routines, prioritising tasks, batch tasks, setting boundaries, practising self-care and taking care of your mental health by not over-committing and preparation can make a big difference. Celebrate small wins because being a parent is not easy and remember that you’re doing your best. It’s important to recognize that progress takes time, and some days will be better than others so don’t be too hard on yourself. Take it one day at a time and know that you’re not alone in this journey. You’re managing it all, and that’s something to be proud of!
What’s your favourite tip? Are there any tips I forgot to add? Share in the comments!
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