Challenges Faced by Working Parents in Raising Children

Introduction

In good times, due to the simple way of life, the material needs of man were also very short. One member of the household earned and the whole family was supported. But now the values have changed significantly. Where husband and wife are two wheels in social life, it is now a necessity for both of them to be in harmony for economic stability. However, due to their professional engagements in achieving economic prosperity, their home life is facing various challenges.

1. The Necessity of Parenting Skills

Actually, parenting is the name of a skill which cannot be done by your housekeeper, school teacher, or home tutor.

Managing Early Childhood

In many societies in Europe, husband and wife manage their jobs until the children’s early age in such a way that they take turns taking breaks from the job. When the children reach the age of conscious maturity, both parents perform their duties simultaneously. It’s all about your priorities. If your priorities are high-quality education for children, then such measures are inevitable.

Balancing Work and Home Life

The biggest challenge is balancing work life with home life.

The Strain of Dual Roles

It is very challenging to leave home and children’s problems at home while coming to work and switch over to yellow mode with full energy and motivation as soon as you come home from work. In such a situation, both roles are not played properly. The real success lies in managing both effectively.

2. The Value of Time

In today’s era, the most valuable thing is ‘time’.

Balancing Various Responsibilities

Balancing a person’s self, children, loved ones, and daily affairs is no less than a challenge because one might wonder how many parts they should divide themselves into. However, compromise is possible on other issues, but there is absolutely no room for negligence in the case of children.

3. The Importance of Early Childhood Development

According to experts, a child’s age up to seven years determines the basic characteristics of his consciousness. During this time, the full attention of the parents plays a key role in his personality development.

Impact of Early Experiences

At this age, the child’s consciousness is like a recording machine in which the patterns of basic emotions including love, hate, anger, jealousy, and good and evil are being recorded and later reflected in his nature. For example, Maulana Abdul Sattar Edhi’s mother used to allow him two incomes in his childhood, one anna for his own expenses and another anna to help someone. This simple act resulted in Edhi becoming a shining star of service to society.

4. Nurturing Natural Talents

Every child has a natural talent within him which can only be explored if you spend enough time with him and encourage his natural abilities.

Establishing Ethics and Values

Establish ethics and values within your children. They are social geniuses with social norms that need to be nurtured. They should be trained in manners, encouraged to express and share, and gradually become autonomous. This is possible only if you give them quality time and trust. Otherwise, they will start sharing their problems with someone else, especially during puberty when children are attracted to the opposite sex and seek refuge in them, leading to many problems.

5. The Role of Family Support

There are few families who can manage this whole situation with very good administrative ability or in joint family systems where the children’s grandparents, maternal grandparents, etc., compensate to some extent in the absence of parents.

Mental Health Implications

However, the general situation is opposite. As a result, every other household suffers from mental illnesses like anxiety, depression, panic disorders, and other phobias. Especially when the children deteriorate due to initial neglect, it has severe mental effects on the parents because, after so much effort, if they do not succeed, then it is a complete waste of money.

6. Overcoming Challenges with Time Management

Working parents can overcome these problems with good time management.

Prioritizing Quality Time

They have to give up unnecessary routines, limit their screen time only to information and communication, and eliminate other unnecessary activities. Likewise, good communication between parents, and if the triangle of communication between both of them is positive, it is easier to train the children. When husband and wife determine the goals of upbringing, education, and training of children with complete mental harmony and harmony, the children who grow up with such an arrangement have self-esteem and self-confidence in their eyes.

7. Negative Impacts of Poor Communication

On the contrary, if the feelings for each other, the division of work in terms of life priorities, and time are not good, the effects of mutual book bending and irritability will immediately affect the children. The parents’ own professional performance will also be unsatisfactory, with loss of concentration, increase in mental and nervous pressure, and decrease in connections and communication, leading to increased hatred and bitterness.

8. Seeking Professional Help

The above guidelines for working parents can be helpful in raising children and in general, but if you still face difficulties in dealing with these challenges, there is no harm in seeking help from a psychologist. You can improve your skills through counseling and parenting workshops.

9. Conclusion

In conclusion, the challenges faced by working parents in raising children are multifaceted and require a delicate balance of time, effort, and prioritization. As societal values and economic demands evolve, the necessity for both parents to contribute financially has become a norm, bringing with it significant challenges in maintaining a harmonious home life. Effective parenting, especially during the crucial early years of a child’s development, is vital and cannot be outsourced to others. By prioritizing quality time with children, fostering open communication, and seeking support from extended family or professionals when needed, working parents can navigate these challenges successfully. Ultimately, the goal is to nurture well-rounded, confident, and ethical individuals who thrive both personally and socially.