Searching...

Miranda Russell

Preparation is Key!: Achieving Work/Life Balance (Part 1)

Miranda Russell

Newsletter Sign Up

Regular work+family updates for
HR and diversity professionals.

My Family Care asks Miranda: With September comes a refocus on our work life balance. With the holidays over, children going back to school and buckling down before Christmas why is a good balance important and what advice would you give to parents for making this fall a more balanced one?

 

Being prepared - dates in the diary

The first thing that comes to mind with the onset of the new school year is dates, a list of academic dates to be exact. The first six weeks fly by - so it's good to be prepared for half term in October, before the year begins. I usually like to take that week off and enjoy that time, especially as my son desperately needs to relax from all his efforts over those past weeks and recharge.

I put the dates in the diary and work out when our fortnight break is going to be in the summer, as we have a zero policy on time away from school during term time, so we have to plan ahead! Don't forget those 6 Inset days when the school closes for Teacher Training and you are totally at the mercy of the Head. Some Heads will cluster these together or plan them mid-week if you are unlucky. Cross your fingers for a conscientious Head who is accommodating and tags the days onto the beginning or end of a half term break.

Settling in to new routines

A new routine needs to develop after the lengthy summer holidays, where in some cases Grandparents and other family members have helped out or dropped the children off at the childminder at a more relaxed pace.

Alarms are set, lunch bags packed and at the ready and a long daily to-do list: It's time to embrace the term time routine. Being organised saves time! I always find that sorting out my child's clothes the night before, preparing his book bag with washed apples and making sure his football/dance kits are all primed and ready to go, is a big time saver. Then in the morning it's just a matter of making a sandwich and filling the water bottles! Getting my child to school and making friends with a couple of local Mum's is always a good idea and can mean someone to share the school trip, either by car or usually the green way, on foot. Sharing these trips means when I'm not doing the school run, I can head to the station early or buckle down at my computer.

Peace of mind... and flexibility

Sometimes an early or late appointment comes up, which is why choosing a school with a great breakfast and after school club helps! This solution gives me peace of mind in the morning but also allows me flexibility in the evenings, as I have until 6pm to collect. Knowing my child is in a fun environment appeases my guilt and helps me find the balance I require. As an added bonus, if work is a little quiet, I can surprise my child and collect him early. Unfortunately, he rarely wants to leave, which although is a little hard to swallow sometimes, is a good sign really...

Miranda Russell, working mother of one

Newsletter Sign Up

Regular work+family updates for
HR and diversity professionals.