Why I Choose Blend Over Balance as a Working Parent
Being a working parent is one of the hardest balancing acts there is. We’re constantly juggling:
Work commitments and the inner drive to pursue our working identity.
The mental load of family life and responsibilities.
The rollercoaster of emotional ups and down that comes with trying to juggle it all.
And the ever present silent pressure to be everything to everyone and to do it all.
I've learnt that managing work and parenting isn't about finding the "perfect balance" for two reasons:
1. Perfection doesn't exist - its merely an unattainable unrealistic bar we set ourselves based on historic societal conditions that no longer exist in this day and age.
2. Balance implies an equal split - it feels too black and white and implies we split our time and energy 50/50 between work and family life. But life as a working parent just doesn’t work that way.
That’s why I much prefer the word BLEND!
The notion of blending removes the pressure for an equal split and allows space for a more realistic approach.
It removes the unrealistic idea that our time and energy can be divided equally.
It acknowledges that our circumstances, environment and needs can change.
It encourages us to find a rhythm and routine that works for our unique family situation. What works for one might not work for another.
It gives us flexibility to adjust with our circumstances, without guilt.
For me, this approach feels far more helpful and supportive. It allows me to adjust how I split my time between work and family life, based on what’s going on at any given time in my unique situation.
It’s a more realistic and flexible way of navigating my busy daily life, and makes me feel capable and more empowered, rather than like I’m constantly failing at managing it all fairly.
I have learnt that when we stop striving for a perfect balance and start finding our own "unique blend", we give ourselves permission to succeed and navigate our working parent lives with a healthier perspective.
I'm curious to hear your thoughts on the differences between balance and blend? What comes up for you? What are your experiences? Get in touch and drop me an email or book a complimentary call and let’s discuss this together.
