Becoming a parent is a major milestone that brings plenty of unforeseen changes to your daily life. Now that you have kids to take care of, you may be faced with new challenges that you are not prepared for. Considering all the demands of childcare, you might feel discouraged from pursuing efforts to invest in yourself, such as going back to school and growing your career.

Parental duties might seem like a lot, but that doesn’t mean your professional plans have to take a backseat. Many mums and dads have managed to balance parenting with their studies, with some blossoming even further in their careers. If you’re a parent seeking to juggle everyday life with kids and schoolwork, here are some tips that might help you out.

Opt for Flexible Options

One of the main concerns that parents have about getting an education is the amount of time that school would take up. If you have a busy schedule but still want to make time for your parental and academic duties, you may want to explore options that provide flexibility in getting your education. For instance, you could ask your chosen institution for a workable schedule that allows you to take classes at a convenient time. You can also opt for jobs that offer remote or hybrid work arrangements, giving you enough time to take classes or do homework. If possible, negotiate with your employer on work arrangements that are flexible enough for your current situation.

You can also explore schooling options that will grant you the education and training you need for your professional growth. In Singapore, you can apply for programmes such as the SkillsFuture series that can offer industry-specific training and certification with greater mobility. Apart from a flexible schedule, busy parents will also have the benefit of a SkillsFuture certificate that opens doors to lucrative career options. There are many opportunities nowadays that promote flexibility in work and learning, and parents like you are free to explore the options that would work best.

Abide by an Organised Schedule

Being a parent can already be overwhelming, and when you add studies to the mix, parenting can reach a whole new level of stress. To keep your educational journey as smooth as possible, you may want to create a schedule for your home, work and study duties. Consider creating a weekly task plan where you can list down all of your deadlines and designated hours for study, classes and projects. Ideally, you should schedule your homework or exam prep when the house is quiet or the kids are busy. It’s also important to factor in “free” hours for rest as well as any emergencies that may arise for you or the family.

Aside from giving you an overview of all your responsibilities, having a set schedule will prevent you from cramming for exams and making similar decisions that could impact your health and your academic success.

Teach Older Kids to Handle Household Responsibilities

If you have kids who are old enough to be trusted with chores, you can assign some responsibilities to them to take the burden off your shoulders. For instance, you can assign tasks such as clearing the table, washing the dishes, loading the laundry and watching over younger siblings. In addition to making household management easier, getting older kids to help out teaches them responsibility and independence—both valuable characteristics your kids will carry over to adulthood.

Find Your Support System

Finding others who may be in a similar situation to yours can make your educational journey a lot easier. If possible, reach out to people in your area or institution who are similarly balancing their studies with work and parental obligations. Usually, you can find these communities through internal school networks or online forums.

You can connect with other parents and huddle together for matters such as homework or group studies. You can also ask other parents to help with tasks such as watching your kids, especially if school is keeping you busy. In turn, you can provide assistance when you’re free. There is strength in numbers, and there’s nothing like having a community to rely on when the demands of schooling and parenting get a bit too much.

Ask Family and Friends for Assistance

In addition to your community connections, you may want to consider asking for help from your family and friends. If you need to go to school for a couple of hours, maybe you can call up your parents, your siblings or your closest friends to hold down the fort at home. If you know a young family friend who can be trusted to babysit, you can pay them to do so while you’re busy with classwork. There’s no shame in asking the ones closest to you for assistance on parental tasks—in fact, it can even strengthen the bonds that keep your family or friendships together.

Maximise School Resources

To reiterate what’s been said before, you don’t have to handle everything on your own. As much as possible, you need to maximise all the resources your educational institution has to offer. Some universities, for example, have on-campus daycare services where students can drop off their kids while they go to class. Libraries, technologies and other educational resources might also be available for your use, especially if you’re lacking in dedicated spaces for study or schoolwork.

Aside from asking around for these resources, you may want to reach out to your professors or instructors for assistance in case challenges arise. If you need some tutoring or consultation time, you and your instructor or professor may try to work out a solution that accommodates your other obligations. There’s no harm in trying, especially if it involves the key steps to your professional growth.

Final Word: Be Kind to Yourself

With all that being said, it’s important to not overburden yourself with responsibilities. Make sure to take breaks as needed and take everything one step at a time. Don’t overload yourself with too many units, and be sure to accommodate the things that make you feel fulfilled. It’s perfectly fine to take your time and graduate at your own pace, especially if you need time for yourself.

At the end of the day, choosing to pursue education as a parent is already an achievement in itself. With some passion, discipline, resourcefulness and a community to help you out, you can hone your potential further and achieve greater things with the education you have earned.

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