It’s incredibly hard to find a sense of harmony in your life, especially after a major life change. A divorce can be a difficult experience, but if you choose to go through with the process, then you’re already on the path toward achieving your goals. You know what you want and you’re ready to make it happen. Take the first steps toward achieving work-life harmony in your life post-divorce, from the office of a noted divorce lawyer. With your goals in mind, you can begin to find ways to harmonize your life that work for you. If you have a family and a job, it’s crucial to implement a plan to effectively handle both your kids and your career after a divorce. 

A structure with clarity

First, you should rest assured that you’re not alone. Nearly a quarter of families with children under 18 are single-parent families, and 80% or more of single-parent families are raised by single mothers.1 With similar statistics in the US, UK, and Australia, it’s clear single parents are a significant minority of family types. Following a divorce, you’ll probably receive questions from your children about the actual process. These are all unique scenarios that depend on both your family and your divorce. The co-parenting process is never an easy one, especially if you have a job that requires a large amount of your work time.  Topics such as time constraints, when they’ll be seeing their other parent, and being able to divide up your own time are all serious issues that require answers. When speaking with your children, as well as with your former partner about how your co-parenting situation will proceed, you can address questions like:
  • How often will we see you?
  • Who will we live with?
  • Where will we live?
Make sure that you comfort children if they’re feeling sad or anxious about discussing these sensitive issues. This is a big change for them too. Parents have a powerful effect on how their children react to the world, so discussing these topics with your children will open a conversation where they can express any feelings they have.

Be ready for work

We’re not talking about getting those weekly plans prepared or knowing which meetings you have the next day. You’re a reliable worker who knows how to handle your business effectively.  Being ready to work as a single parent, though, may take some getting used to. Dividing your time between your work and your kids may mean reorganizing your schedule in a way that best fits your updated priorities. Try not to pack too much into one single workday. You may need to move around meetings or phone calls so that you don’t overstuff your work schedule in a way that takes away from your children’s needs. Consider being open with your employer about your circumstances and need for flexibility to help alleviate some pressure. You may also need to get more organized before and after work. Completing tasks such as packing lunches for your children, can save you plenty of time and lessen the possibility of running late. You can even create a family calendar that tracks important events for your children so that you know which days in advance to divide between work and family. These calendars can be created on connected digital apps, which will allow your kids (if they have smartphones) to edit them as well. It’s never an easy road to be a single, working parent after a divorce. You have a job to do and a family to care for. However, juggling these two vital responsibilities can be a bit easier if you utilize a few key strategies, and put your, and your family’s, time at the forefront. Written by Veronica Baxter. Veronica is a writer, blogger, and legal assistant operating out of the greater Philadelphia area, USA. She frequently works with and writes on behalf of Lee A. Schwartz Esq., a busy Philadelphia divorce lawyer.