The daily challenge of feeding, caring for, and educating children is tough. Add the stress of earning enough money to sustain the family’s well-being and feeling fulfilled in your own career, and it becomes daunting. And solutions that work for each unique family can be hard to come by.
Creative Strategies from Single Parents on Juggling Work and Family
When it comes to handling the competing demands at work and at home, solo parents do it all — alone. While this can be an incredible challenge, it’s also an opportunity. In the face of tough obstacles, these working parents often develop unique, problem-solving skills. Solo parents realize that there aren’t enough hours in a day. They capitalize on the small amounts of time available to them, even if that’s only half an hour at a time. They also take advantage of unique housing arrangements — whether it is a family member who can help with parenting, shared housing with a fellow single parent, or renting space out for additional income. Solo working parents take special advantage of flexible work schedules and remote work, and design career opportunities within these opportunities. Finally, they build pragmatic support networks to share in childcare, cooking, and other household responsibilities.