Effective Ways to Co-Parent While Maintaining a Demanding Job
At the Law Office of Joyce Holcomb, our Certified Family Law Specialist in San Bernardino knows how difficult California divorces can be for both non-parents and parents alike when they have demanding jobs.
However, when kids are involved in the relationship, and the time-sharing requirements shift between single-parent households, balancing work with family dynamics can become overwhelming.
Here are a few tips for maintaining a work-life balance that allows you to dependably meet the demands of co-parenting.
Consider an Alternative Work Week
If we learned anything from 2020, it is that working from home no longer carries the negative connotation it once did.
Even if you have been summoned back into the office full-time, consider talking to your supervisor about splitting time between work and home on days your kids need you there the most.
The more you can show there is no loss in productivity while you are at home, the more flexible your schedule may become.
Maintain Productivity Using Proven Performance Tools
Turning your home into a well-oiled machine can help you efficiently manage the kids, work, and your personal life. This works using co-parenting apps, where all the kids’ appointments, school, and extracurricular activities are in one place, or simply by using a whiteboard where everyone can share their schedules.
This allows the kids to know when you have an important meeting, or when you are going to work late, so they can make alternate plans with the other parent — or simply order a pizza.
The more everyone knows about your demanding work schedule, the more they will want to help accommodate those dates.
Invest Time in Developing a Supportive Work Culture
When you have a demanding job, typically so does everyone else in the company. Consider your coworkers your advocates, and you theirs.
When you build a strong and supportive work culture, you can work as a team on projects, and when helping each other out — like when one parent must leave early to take their kid to the doctor.
This is also a good time to loop in junior-level employees by training them to take on a more productive role that will lighten your load, decrease the demands of your job, and redistribute that time to co-parenting.
Let Family and Friends Lend Their Support
When parents are balancing family and work, they often like the idea of having it all together. We understand. No one wants to admit that certain aspects of life are falling through the cracks. Even though certain aspects of all our lives are doing exactly that.
It is important to remember that life is hard. Life with kids after a divorce is even harder. Throw in a demanding career, and daily activities can cause an immense amount of stress.
If you, like most people, have family, friends, neighbors, or even your kids’ friends’ parents offering to help, let them. There is no shame in accepting a helping hand. In fact, it can make you feel less stressed and thereby more productive.
Contact Our Skilled San Bernardino Divorce Attorney Today for a Free Consultation
If you have questions about what divorce will look like for you, your kids, and your demanding job, contact our San Bernardino County Certified Family Law Specialist at the Law Office of Joyce Holcomb by calling (909) 889-7111 today to discuss your concerns, so we can create a customized legal approach for your unique needs.
