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Empowering working parents is the principal aim of Theresa Y. Wee’s The Happy, Healthy Revolution.

How working parents manage childcare can oftentimes be a complete nightmare–there’s a lot to consider and so little time to do everything you want to!

Balancing career aspirations with parental responsibilities can be a delicate dance. Yet, it’s the reality that millions of parents have to contend with daily. For the average working-class individual, there’s a complex landscape of deadlines, meetings and contractual obligations that they have to weave through, but for working-class parents, it’s that plus the duties of being a parent (which only increase exponentially the more children you have!) to ensure their child is safe, nurtured and equipped to meet the world.

As such, finding reliable childcare is important. Critically so! When parents have the infrastructure–physical or conceptual–to keep their children safe and sound while being allowed to pursue their careers, everything just falls into place.

However, the “how” of managing childcare is multifaceted and requires careful planning, creative problem-solving, and a strong support system.

Photo by Josh Willink

How Working Parents Manage Childcare

Childcare solutions for working parents should always begin with a thorough assessment of their needs and available resources. There is no one-size-fits-all model that can consistently deliver for working-class families, consider factors such as (1) the age of the children, (2) their individual needs and personalities, (3) the parents’ work schedules and flexibility, (4) the immediate neighborhood, (5) the family’s budget, and many others.

For a lot of first-time parents, things like these can sometimes fly past your head; yet, without careful consideration, that delicate dance we talked about earlier can quickly and often become a terrible performance. So, if you’re a new parent, a veteran parent, or a prospective parent, these should be things you think about often.

Building a Strong Support Network

Outside of scheduling for formal childcare arrangements, it’s also important to build a support network of family and friends–you can even include other parents within your workplace if possible.

Having your parents, aunts, uncles, or siblings within your circle can provide you with invaluable support, especially when there are last-minute emergencies you can’t put on hold. The ability to cultivate reciprocal relationships with other parents is also beneficial.

No matter who you choose to include in your network, be sure to practice open communication and lay out clear expectations. These are key to making these informal arrangements work more effectively. Remember that it takes a village to raise a child.

Communication & Collaboration at Home

Within the household, it is necessary and essential that effective communication and collaboration are always practiced, whether it be between parents, parents and children, or among the children themselves. Working parents should be able to function as a cohesive team, together with their children and each other. Really, that should be their default state in almost everything!

What this means in the abstract is that parents should be open and honest with each other when it comes to work demands, childcare needs, and potential conflicts. Not any of that vague “we have stuff to do at work” nonsense. You have to be clear and concise. No hiding, no pussyfooting about!

• Create shared family calendars to better everyone’s schedules.
• Divide tasks so no parent is overburdened with the lion’s share of the responsibilities.
• Be flexible and willing to adjust your schedules, especially if it concerns your child’s well-being.

Photo by Tatiana Syrikova

Being Flexible & Creative Problem-Solvers

Working parents need to be creative and adaptable in finding childcare solutions that fit with their unique circumstances.

Utilizing technology can help streamline communication with caregivers and manage childcare logistics efficiently. In some cases, parents may consider forming childcare cooperatives with other families, sharing the cost and responsibility of hiring a caregiver.

The key to everything is to remain open to different possibilities and to proactively seek solutions that address their specific challenges.

Recognizing that childcare needs evolve as children grow and family circumstances change requires ongoing evaluation and a willingness to adapt. By embracing a flexible and resourceful approach, working parents can navigate the complexities of childcare and create a sustainable balance between their professional and family lives.

If you’re looking to be enlightened with the right way to balance parenting and working, Theresa Y. Wee’s The Happy, Healthy Revolution is available for purchase on this website.