Let’s be honest,it’s not easy to juggle work and parenting, actually at times it can feel like a full-blown circus act. Between deadlines, meetings, meal preps, and bedtime battles, it’s a lot. No one really teaches you how to do both well, at the same time, without burning out. And the truth? There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. But there are smart, practical strategies that can help you feel more in control, less overwhelmed, and more present where it matters.
Here’s how to stay sane when work and parenting are both pulling at you, all day, every day.
1. Create boundaries that actually work
Everyone loves to throw around the word “boundaries,” but what does that actually mean when your toddler is screaming while you’re on a Zoom call?
It means getting clear on what’s non-negotiable for you, and then sticking to it. For example, maybe you don’t check work emails after 6 pm. Or you don’t schedule calls before 9 am because mornings are for school runs and cereal spills. Boundaries are personal, and they need to fit your life, not someone else’s version of it.
Don’t just set them in your mind. Communicate them clearly to your team or clients, and reinforce them at home, too. Kids understand patterns. If they know that after 5 pm is “parent time,” they’ll start to count on it, and so will you.
2. Choose quality childcare that gives you peace of mind
This one’s huge. If you’re trying to work while your child is in the next room watching cartoons, that’s not really childcare. It’s a distraction waiting to happen.
The right daycare or early learning setting doesn’t just keep your child safe; it gives them a place to learn, socialize, and grow while you focus on your job without guilt creeping in every five minutes. Look for a childcare place that aligns with your values, has trained educators, and feels good to walk into. That gut feeling matters.
And don’t overlook the little things. Proximity to your home or workplace, flexible hours, and open communication from the staff can make all the difference in the execution to juggle work and parenting. When you’re not constantly worried about what your child is doing, your brain can actually be at work.
3. Rework your schedule, not your worth
Here’s the thing: you don’t need to work like you did before having kids. That version of productivity? It’s not always possible or healthy anymore. And that doesn’t make you less valuable.
Instead, shift the way you think about your time. What hours are truly your best for deep work? When are your kids more likely to need your attention? Try structuring your day around that.
Maybe you tackle important tasks early, before the household kicks into chaos. Or maybe evenings are your sweet spot, once everyone’s asleep. It’s okay if your day looks different from the standard 9 to 5. The goal is to make your schedule work for your life, not the other way around.
4. Let go of perfect — seriously, let it go
You don’t need to be the perfect parent or the perfect employee. That pressure? It’s exhausting and completely unnecessary. There will be mornings when school lunches are thrown together in under 60 seconds. Days when screen time lasts longer than you’d like. Evenings when work spills over into family time, or vice versa. It’s not ideal, but it’s also not failure. This is all part of the “juggle work and parenting” season.
Instead of chasing perfection, focus on being present when it counts. That five-minute chat with your child after school might matter more than an elaborate dinner. Finishing a task well, even if it takes longer than planned, can still be a win. Give yourself the grace to do your best, not your everything.
5. Build a support network you actually use
You are not supposed to do this alone. Read that again.
Whether it’s your partner, a friend, your parents, or a neighbour, lean on people and ask for help when you need it. Swap school pick-ups. Take turns watching the kids. Let someone else cook dinner once in a while. This isn’t a failure of independence. It’s how families and communities are meant to function.
The key is to be proactive. Don’t wait until you’re burnt out to ask for support. And if someone offers help, take it. You’re not being a burden, you’re being human.
6. Say no to what doesn’t matter
You only have so much energy in a day. Use it wisely. That might mean saying no to optional meetings that eat up your time, or turning down social events that feel more like an obligation than a joy. It could even mean lowering your standards for things like housework. Clean enough is sometimes enough.
Each “no” makes more space for a “yes” that actually adds value to your life, whether that’s a work priority, a family moment, or just a much-needed rest. In order to juggle work and parenting you must get comfortable telling people “no”.
7. Designate space for each role
If you’re working from home, blur happens fast. The line between work mode and parent mode can vanish unless you draw it clearly.
Try to have a designated workspace, even if it’s just a corner of the dining table. When you sit there, you’re in work mode. When you step away, you switch off. And get your kids involved in understanding this, too. They’ll learn quickly that certain spaces or times are for work, and others are for them.
And when you log off? Log off. Shut the laptop. Turn off notifications. Be wherever your feet are.
8. Don’t forget your own needs
It’s easy to put yourself last when you’re constantly juggling everyone else’s needs. But you’re the glue here. And if you crack, everything else follows.
That doesn’t mean you need to book spa days or start a meditation practice (unless you want to). Sometimes, looking after yourself just means:
- Going to bed 30 minutes earlier
- Drinking your water
- Saying no to one more task
- Letting yourself rest without guilt
Whatever fills your cup, protect it fiercely as you learn to juggle work and parenting. Your well-being isn’t a luxury; it’s a foundation.
Real Balance Is Messy and That’s Okay
No one’s doing this perfectly. Everyone’s winging it, figuring it out as they go. What matters most is that you’re trying — showing up for your work and your kids in the best way you can.
Some days will be smooth. Others will be a complete mess. But if you’re making intentional choices to juggle work and parenting, asking for help, and giving yourself room to breathe, then you’re doing better than you think.
