Introduction
In today’s hybrid work environment, balancing the demands of work and family life can be particularly challenging for parents. Based on our extensive work in measuring employee experience and gauging sentiment, we have drafted a practical guide to help navigate these challenges effectively. Here’s our 10-point plan that promises to ease the logistics load and foster a more manageable routine.
1. Set a Weekly Planning Time
Dedicate 15 minutes each week to plan ahead with your partner or co-parent. This could be after the kids are in bed, or tied in with a regular weekend morning coffee. Consistency will help make this planning session a habit.
2. Use a Shared Digital Calendar
Centralise all family events, reminders, and schedules in a shared digital calendar. This visibility will help you manage your time and spot any scheduling conflicts early. See link for family organiser apps.
3. Batch Plan Meals and Outfits
To reduce daily decision fatigue, plan your meals and even lay out clothes for the week on Sunday. This will streamline your mornings and reduce the stress of making day-to-day decisions.
4. Delegate and Share Responsibilities
Clearly define who handles which chores, pickups, or drop-offs, pet management etc. during the week. Sharing these responsibilities prevents any one person from becoming overwhelmed and ensures all tasks are covered.
5. Establish a Communication Protocol
Agree on how you will communicate changes or needs throughout the week. Whether through texts, calls, or a dedicated app, make sure both partners are accessible and informed.
6. Integrate Work and Home Calendars
Ensure that work commitments such as meetings or travel are included in the family calendar. This helps in anticipating any overlaps or conflicts with family activities.
8. Prep for the Unexpected
Set up backup plans for days when the unexpected occurs. Discuss and decide on alternative arrangements for childcare or errands if one parent gets held up.
8. Limit Work Intrusion
Establish boundaries to limit work intrusion into family time. This could mean setting specific hours when work calls or emails are off-limits or having designated phone-free times during family meals or outings.
9. Prioritise Family Time
Make intentional slots for quality family time. Whether it’s a weekly board game night, a weekend outing, or simply reading together before bed, ensure these moments are non-negotiable in your schedule.
10. Review and Adjust Regularly
End each week with a quick review of what worked and what didn’t. This will allow you to make necessary adjustments to your planning strategy, improving it continuously.
Sarah Nixon, People Lead, Aurora Healthcare Communications commented:
“Hybrid working has positively changed the working lives of many of our team at Aurora, me included. I would go as far as saying hybrid working, alongside our flexible working hours agreement, has transformed my family and professional life entirely and in turn my overall wellbeing for the better.
The ‘juggle’ is very real, but these working adjustments are the difference between being able to attend a school assembly without it impacting my work or missing it entirely due to being in the office. I find myself more productive and focused with time at home and enjoy my office days immensely. This framework is great guidance on how to keep the two, more blended than ever, worlds of home and work organised and smooth. I am off to download a shared family organiser app!”
Amy McNeill, Head of People & Culture, Cavendish commented:
“ Organisation and communication are crucial to effectively spinning the plates of my work and family life. My husband and I both map out our work weeks on our own digital calendars and diarise who is dropping off or picking up our children, and from where, as we would a meeting. We have to be fluid because plans change, but if I don’t stay organised, I lose all balance. There is a big difference between chaos and organised chaos!”
Implementation in the Hybrid Workplace
This 10-point plan isn’t just a set of suggestions—it’s a framework tailored to fit the unique dynamics of hybrid working parents. By proactively managing both work and home responsibilities, you can mitigate the stress of juggling multiple roles.
Adopting these strategies requires commitment and consistency, but the payoff is a smoother, more balanced week. Remember, the goal is not to achieve perfection but to make life more manageable and enjoyable for you and your family. Let’s make the most of our hybrid working model and foster a supportive environment for everyone.