How To Find Joy In Juggling Work And Parenting?
Chitra Sankaran
Empowering Disillusioned Healthcare Professionals to Thrive Again by Reviving their Passion and Energy |Transformational Coach and Mentor | General Practitioner | GP Educator |GP Appraiser |
The United Nations General Assembly declared June 1st as the Global Day of Parents in 2012. This day raises awareness about the importance of parents in providing a nurturing and positive environment for their children's development. After all, parents are role models, first teachers ????, superheroes ??♀?, nagging annoying people ?? for teenagers, and friends for life!
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Every parent wants to create the best possible environment for their children. I’ve never met a parent who isn’t weighed down by the responsibility of parenting, myself included. What always amazes me is that there are no traditional learning pathways for this crucial role. Being a parent is entirely learned experientially—from our parents, extended family, friends, peers, and ultimately, our children.
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Now, add a demanding job to the mix, and we get a constantly simmering recipe of exhaustion, uncertainty, confusion, joy, and excitement. So, on this Global Day of Parents, let’s explore how to successfully juggle work and parenting.
The Dual Role: Healthcare Professional and Parent
Being a healthcare professional is no easy feat, and adding parenting into the mix can feel like a superhuman task. The dual role of a healthcare professional and a parent is uniquely challenging and rewarding. Many of the skills we hone in our jobs, from empathy to quick decision-making, are also the skills that make us great parents.
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Most of us work long, irregular hours, facing high-stress situations that demand constant focus and resilience, especially in NHS these days. These experiences teach us how to stay calm under pressure, a skill that translates seamlessly into parenting. Whether it’s dealing with a child’s midnight fever or managing a tantrum, the ability to remain composed and make quick, informed decisions is invaluable.
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Moreover, our job requires a high degree of compassion and patience—qualities that are just as crucial at home. Listening to patients with empathy helps us connect with our children on an emotional level, fostering a nurturing environment. Balancing these two demanding roles might seem daunting, but the overlap in skills can make us better both at our jobs and at home. By leveraging the strengths we develop in healthcare, we can become more effective, present, and supportive parents.
Challenges Faced by Healthcare Parents:
According to the latest GMC barometer survey report, 25% of doctors are at high risk of burnout. Overstretched resources and increasing workplace demands leave healthcare workers exhausted physically and mentally. Caring for very ill patients and their families adds an emotional toll as well.
These workplace challenges significantly impact parenting. Logistical issues, such as dropping off and picking up children from school, supporting them with homework, and preparing meals, become overwhelming. The inability to engage in simple activities with their kids leaves parents feeling guilty. This emotional exhaustion can lead to resentment at work.
I frequently see healthcare workers caught between their professional and parental identities, struggling to meet the perceived expectations of each role. The constant push and pull can create a sense of being perpetually behind, both at home and in the workplace.
Furthermore, the emotional demands of the job can spill over into family life, making it difficult to be fully present with their children. The fear of missing out on their children’s milestones or not being able to provide enough emotional support adds to their stress.
Finding Balance: Tips and Strategies
Finding balance is key for healthcare professionals juggling careers and parenting. Here are a few strategies that have helped me and others:
Prioritise Your Time: Identify the most important tasks at work and home. Use tools like calendars and to-do lists to organise your day. Focus on high-priority activities and let go of less critical tasks.
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Set Boundaries: Establish clear boundaries between work and home life. This might mean setting specific work hours and sticking to them. Turn off work notifications during family time to ensure you’re fully present.
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Ask for Help: Don’t be afraid to seek support from your partner, family, friends, or colleagues. Whether it’s arranging carpools, sharing meal prep duties, or asking for flexible work hours, support networks are crucial.
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Practice Self-Care: Make time for self-care activities, even if it's just a few minutes a day. Exercise, meditation, or a hobby can help reduce stress and recharge your energy. I regularly walk for 30 minutes before I start work which is my self-care routine.
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Plan Quality Time: Schedule regular family activities that everyone can look forward to. Whether it’s a weekly game night or a weekend outing, these moments help strengthen family bonds. I have community Pokémon Go day activities scheduled with my son.
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Delegate Tasks: Delegate household chores to other family members. This not only lightens your load but also teaches children responsibility and teamwork.
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Support Network: It is important to have a good support network of people who are in similar stages of their careers and parental roles. This allows you to bounce off ideas, share problems, and receive support. I am so lucky to have a great support network. As the saying goes, "A problem shared is a problem halved."
Small Steps, Big Changes:
Keep a family photo at your work desk where you can easily see it. When work gets tough, take a moment to look at your family photo to break the exhaustion and recharge your energy for home. If you’re running late and might miss bath time, give your kids a quick video call. Those few minutes can replenish you and strengthen your bond with your children.
By implementing these small but impactful strategies, you can better manage the dual roles, reducing stress and enhancing the quality of time spent with your families.
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Embracing the Dual Roles:
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I consider myself incredibly privileged to hold the titles of GP, coach, mentor, and mum. These roles bring me immense satisfaction and allow me to live out my life's purpose. Undoubtedly, there have been tough times—moments where I've returned from night shifts with tears in my eyes. But when I reflect, I realise that amidst the challenges, countless small milestones in each role bring a smile and fuel my determination to keep going.
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As we celebrate Global Parents Day, let's take a moment to look back and cherish the moments we've experienced in both our professional and parental roles. Playing this dual role is not just a testament to our resilience but also a celebration of the incredible strength of the human spirit.
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May this reflection fill you with a deep sense of contentment and achievement, reminding you of the impact you've made both in your career and the lives of your loved ones. Let's continue to embrace this journey with courage, grace, and unwavering determination.
P.S: Here are four ways to become Captain of Your Career and Life and start enjoying your life:
1. If you want to work smarter and live better as a healthcare professional with our ultimate quiz! Take the quiz now and unlock valuable insights to enhance your self-care, stress management, workload, and goal-setting skills.
2. Subscribe to my newsletter for a regular dose of inspiration and motivation to become the true Captain of Your Life and Career.
3. Use the following link and book a 30-minute power session to find out how a First Mate could help you take control of your life.
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4. if you want to be effective and have fun throughout your working week, download my e-book - https://drchitrasankaran.com/ebook-optin/
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