Moms Share What It’s Like Being A Working Parent Without A Yaya

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  Being a parent is a lifelong job. Childcare and managing household work requires a lot of time and effort, especially now that the whole family is at home 24/7 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

  These, coupled with responsibilities and duties from a full-time job, can make any parent feel overwhelmed. While some can get extra hands by hiring a helper, it’s a privilege not everyone can afford.

  In a #SPConfession, a parent shared this overwhelming feeling of being a full-time mom and employee. She struggles to attend work meetings in-between caring for her two kids, plus finding time to do household chores. She says she only finds refuge in the fact that she has a considerate employer.

  “How do you make it work without a yaya? I have a full-time job and two kids. Madalas, kapag may meeting, nakikipindot ang maliit kong anak. Hindi ko naman maitaon na tulog sila dahil hindi naman ako ang masusunod sa oras ng mga meetings. Buti na lang at considerate ang employer ko,” she shares.

  Getting lost in the middle of what seems to be a never-ending list of tasks to be done in a day, she now finds herself questioning whether or not it’s her fault that she’s falling short on her duties.

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  “But I find it hard to balance cleaning the house, feeding them, taking care of them, and doing my work. May kulang ba sa akin?” she laments.

  Can parents achieve work-life balance without a yaya?

  We posted her experience on our Facebook page, Smart Parenting, to get insights from other parents who may be going through the same thing. Most parents found themselves in the same situation and offered words of encouragement — “Laban lang!” Some offered tips on time management, while some said it’s time to get a helper.

  Time management and planning

  “Me and my husband work full-time — day shift and may part-time job ako na night shift. It was challenging and yet, thankfully, we managed it without a helper. After work, or during breaktime, kids at pagprepare naman ng food [ang aasikasuhin]. Siguro pinakahelpful samin is yung planning and communication to help each other. We know and talk about our priorities.” — Charlene B.

  “I do time management, I wake up at six o’clock and prepare all we need — food para sa maghapon at mga snacks nila. I always think na para sa kanila at sa pamilya namin ang ginagawa ko. I bathe them early too before my shift starts. Nakakapagod pero basta para sa anak kakayanin. Fighting!” — Crystl H.

  Talk to your kids

  “Maiintindihan nila kala lang natin hindi. Explain to them what we are doing, why we are working, and what they will get. Nagwork po sakin. Sana sa inyo rin.” — Lh E.

  “Try to talk to them. Make them understand the situation. Tell them how important is the work for their wellness.” — Janine B.

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  Consider getting help from your partner, relatives, or a yaya

  “When you need help, ask for help.Working full-time and taking care of kids and home are like working three jobs at the same time. Hindi po masama humingi ng tulong, ang masama po ay yung unti-unti ka nang nawawala sa sarili kasi kinakaya mo kahit hindi mo talaga kaya.” — Leigh A.

  “Seek for higher or multiple income so you can get a day yaya. ‘Yung tipong work hours siya sa kids pero supervise ka pa din. Malaki na ‘yung anak namin so hindi ko na kailangan ng taga-bantay sa kaniya, but I need help sa chores. So, we just hired a day helper.” — Ching M.

  “Get help. Even a stay-out helper who can come to clean, do laundry for your own sanity. Otherwise, you will get burnout, and that’s more costly in the long run. Take care of yourself, too.” — Dewie E.

  Click here to read tips from other moms on how you can achieve work-life balance.

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Moms Share What It’s Like Being A Working Parent Without A Yaya
Source: Progress Pinas