With many families’ schedules and routes upended due to the pandemic, working parents have to juggle their jobs alongside their children’s needs, whether it’s making sure they attend online classes or keeping them entertained at home.
Amidst all this, it’s easy for mums and dads to forget to look after their mental and physical wellbeing. Here are five ways to stay on track with your fitness journey while looking after your family.
1. Stick to a routine
Just because everyone is home, it doesn’t mean you have to throw your routine out the window. Stick to your existing routine as much as you can to ensure you devote ample time to your work, kids, household chores, and daily workouts.
2. Keep a scheduler handy
It is easy to lose track of time when you are juggling multiple things. A scheduler can help you stay on top of tasks.
Use a wearable device to set reminders, or simply good old pen and paper. Have a checklist at the start of each day and make sure all your tasks are checked before bedtime.
You will feel more motivated and organised, and will have a feeling of accomplishment at the end of the day.
3. Embrace the new
Embrace technology in the new normal to keep your children entertained. Arrange for online playdates, enrol them in online dance, music, or art classes, and so on.
Too much screen time is not advisable, but an hour of online fun every day is perfectly fine. Take this time for yourself – perhaps do a workout, read a book or meditate; or tick off items from your to-do list.
4. Minimise supervision
It is not your responsibility to keep your children entertained throughout the day. Let them get bored, because boredom gives rise to innovation, creativity and inventions.
If you must, plan activities that require minimum supervision such as jigsaw puzzles, board games, reading and so on. And again, use this time to fulfil tasks or work on your mental-physical wellbeing.
5. Plan meals in advance
One of the most challenging tasks for working parents is to plan meals. Bland food will not entice your kids, and it’s difficult to cook up something new, delicious and healthy every single day.
Pre-planning meals can save you a lot of time and effort. Prep your family’s lunches and dinners a day or two before, or better yet, have an entire week’s worth of eating planned.
This will help you avoid stress in the kitchen and also reduce delivered or takeaway dinners.
Erika Peres is a social media influencer, entrepreneur and director of multiple companies. She is a mother of two boys and has a passion for sports, fitness and lifestyle. She can be reached on Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook.