Back to the Office, Back to Balance: Managing Work and Family Life

Returning to the office can provide plenty of opportunities, from catching up with colleagues, meeting new people, and maybe even the chance to wind down on your commute. However, this transition can also bring concerns, especially regarding work-life balance. One of the biggest challenges you may face is juggling family time with work, due to your change of routine. So, how can you effectively balance family life while adapting to being back in the office? 

Keep everyone in sync with a family calendar 

Family calendars can be invaluable tools for ensuring you spend quality time with your loved ones. By using a family calendar, you can better organise and prioritise your family time, making it easier to coordinate everyone's schedules. This approach doesn't mean turning family time into a scheduled chore; rather, it can help you all find opportunities for quality time together. A well-maintained family calendar can also help you stay on top of important events, activities, and milestones. Take a look at our previous article where we share top tips on how to use a family calendar more effectively.

Chat with your child about change 

If you have a child or children, depending on their ages and levels of understanding, it can be helpful to talk to them about the upcoming changes. While you can't add more hours to the day, you can help them understand what the changes will be and reassure them that you will still have lots of time together. Depending on your situation, it may be that you can commit to being home for bath time or to read a book before bed, or in the mornings take them to nursery or have breakfast together. This can be especially useful for younger children who may have only known you to work from home if they were born during or after the pandemic. 

By having an open and honest chat, you can help them feel more secure and adapt better to the new routine.

Prioritise quality, family time 

The new work routine presents us with a reminder to make every moment with our family count. When you’re together, being fully present is key. It’s easy to get distracted, but here are some effective strategies to help you stay engaged and make the most of your family time: 

1. Avoid screen time and distractions: Put away electronic devices and other distractions to focus entirely on your family. 
2. Be an engaged, active listener: Pay full attention to what your family members are saying. Make eye contact and respond thoughtfully to show that you are genuinely interested. 
3. Spend time in nature: At weekends take family outings outdoors. Nature can help you disconnect from daily stress and connect more deeply with your loved ones. Teens are often more communicative side by side on a walk than they are face to face over a breakfast or dinner table. 
4. Practise mindfulness: Focus on your senses - sights, sounds, smells, and feelings. Being mindful helps you stay grounded in the present moment. 
5. Express gratitude: Regularly express appreciation for your family members, acknowledging their efforts. 
6. Eat together – while adapting to new routines, children will benefit from having a few regular family ‘fixtures’. Mealtimes during the week may be hard to commit to so it may help to set expectations of just one dinner a week or a Sunday lunch as reassurance. 

Stay connected during the day 

When working from home, you might have caught up with family or friends during lunch breaks or picked your child up from school. If you're no longer able to do these things, consider staying connected during the day through your breaks or commute times. Even a brief text message to say ‘hi’ or a short phone call can help maintain that connection and break up the day. This small effort can go a long way in ensuring you still feel connected during this transition.