If you are a parent, then you are well aware of the stressful nature of your responsibilities (but it’s worth it, right?) Raising children is a 24/7 job with no breaks or vacation days. Added to your parental responsibilities are work responsibilities. Whether you work a nine-to-five or a part-time position, the added stress and time commitment of a paying job can make it challenging to undertake additional responsibilities. However, that does not stop determined individuals from pursuing other goals, such as earning a degree.
With the new title of working parent and adult student, things can get very hectic for you, and it can be easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer number of responsibilities that lay ahead. However, it is possible to stay sane and avoid becoming overwhelmed as a student and parent. It just takes careful planning and execution (and a little patience!)
This guide will walk you through some effective methods to help you manage your responsibilities as a working parent and adult student without getting overwhelmed.
Assemble & Communicate with Your Support Network
That cliché saying, “teamwork makes the dream work,” actually rings true. When it comes to facing our greatest challenges, it is those around us who help us succeed. Having a support network or “team” is the best way to ensure that you do not become overwhelmed by your responsibilities. That is why it is essential to assemble and address your support network before undertaking this new journey as an adult student and working parent.
Assembling your support network means determining what you will ask for and who you will ask. Your network should be composed of those loved ones nearest you and any additional resources you can tap. For example, you can include your family members, friends, and even daycare staff. Everyone will fill a role.
Ultimately, these will be the people you can rely on to help you manage your responsibilities. Most importantly, these are your loved ones who want to help and see you succeed, whether it is your mother babysitting your children a few nights a week or your spouse taking on more household chores. They want to make the sacrifice to help you succeed. Maybe it is another parent at your child’s school that can help with pickup or drop-off, or after-school activities, too.
If you have people in your network that do not want you to succeed, or people that hold you back, you’ll want to begin phasing these negative people out of your day-to-day life. You do not need additional obstacles along your journey. Life is too short.
Addressing your support network means asking for help when possible. Taking on another significant responsibility will shake up your home life. You will have less time and energy to devote to other tasks. That’s where your support network comes in.
If you have trouble keeping up with household chores without the addition of schoolwork, then you will certainly need a hand once you take on the added responsibility of being an adult student. If your class times do not align with your children’s daycare schedule, you will also need a hand. You know your needs best, so have them outlined before talking with your loved ones. They will be able to help you fill in the gaps, even just an additional four hours of alone-time a week can make a big difference.
Lastly, do not forget that your team also consists of your children. If they are old enough to understand, talk to them about the new challenge you are undertaking and how there might be changes to their schedule or around the house. They may be small, but they are mighty. Children can be surprisingly understanding and helpful. A few extra chores (in exchange for some more screen time, of course), and involving them in activities such as cleaning, can help create long-lasting positive habits that benefit the family.
Stay Organized, but Flexible
As a working parent and adult student, you have many balls in the air and tons of things that need to get done daily. Keeping track of them can be challenging, which is why organizational skills are vital.
Organizational skills are the key to avoiding stress and miscommunication. Staying organized means that everyone is on the same page. Better yet, anything that needs to get done can be prioritized and tracked to make sure it gets done on time.
That said, stay flexible. Do not make the mistake of trying to get everything done in a day, especially if it is not necessary. Keep things flexible to avoid these issues and give yourself a little wiggle room.
You should create a system that works for you. Whether it is a to-do list, a shared calendar, setting reminders, or scheduling your day. You may have to try various things to see what works best for you and your family.
Ideally, whatever you choose can be easily shared with others. This will come in handy when it is your spouse’s day to pick the children up from school and prepare dinner or a day when you need to complete a significant assignment.
The Google Calendar App is free, convenient, and can be shared with others. It can also support multiple calendars so that you can manage your children’s, yours, and your spouse’s schedules and tasks from one place. It also integrates with your email account and other apps within the Google suite ecosystem.
Take Time for Yourself
Perfectionism is as much of a blessing as it is a curse. The upside is that you generally undertake challenges knowing that you will perform to the best of your abilities and achieve the desired results. Unfortunately, the downside of perfectionism is that it can cause undue stress and anxiety if you cannot get everything done “perfectly.” Life happens, so there will likely be times when you do not have time to edit an assignment before turning it in, or you may get behind on the laundry. Choose your battles wisely, and don’t fall into time-wasting traps. Use your time where it is needed most.
If you do fall behind, do not stress. It is usually a good indicator that you should take some time for yourself, as you may be overwhelmed with your responsibilities. Whether you schedule a spa day or offload some tasks to your spouse or children is up to you, but ensuring that you give yourself time to relax is crucial. If you do not do this, you may find yourself overwhelmed by stress and anxiety. So, do yourself a favor and take some time to chill out.
Key Takeaways
Parent. Employee. Student. Those are titles that carry with them many responsibilities. If you find yourself in the position of being all three at once, then it is important that you put in the effort to ensure that you do not get overwhelmed. It starts with your support network, staying organized, and being sure to take time for yourself. Beyond that, things should fall into place, especially if you have chosen to attend the Institute of Medical and Business Careers.
With an array of programs, including those that are fully remote and online, IMBC offers working parents the flexibility and support they need. Fully remote tutoring and access to an online library make studying and completing coursework simpler. IMBC empowers students to take control of their education and get the most out of their student experience.
Want to learn more? Contact us today.