Being a parent is a very demanding job. But it is even harder when your child is living with disabilities, and you have to go to work to financially support your family.
Therefore, to manage your employment obligations with the needs of your child(ren), it is going to take some meticulous planning, flexibility and a proactive approach mindset to make it all run smoothly.
If you find yourself struggling to devote the attention you need to all the main aspects of your life, don’t worry; we are here to help!
Outlined below is how you can balance work and family life with your role of being a parent of a child with disabilities.
If you take these strategies on board, you should soon find your collective responsibilities that little bit easier to cope with.
- Move into Specialist Disability Accommodation
Living with a child who has a disability can be extremely tough if your home is not adequately set up to accommodate it. For this reason, one of the best things you can do is to move into a specialist disability accommodation community.
These types of purpose-built apartments are offered by Vertika. They are designed to provide individuals (and their families) who have very high special needs or extreme functional impairment with a better quality standard of life.
Their SDA apartments can either be independent living or shared accommodation, and the great thing about the company is that they offer 24/7 onsite care for those in their community who need it.
So, while you are at work, or even if you just need a break, you will have the peace of mind of knowing that support is available to your child.
- Build a strong support network
Being able to draw upon a strong network of support can make a real difference in how you balance your work, family life and the needs of your disabled child.
This network can include everyone from family and friends to professional services and parents of other children with disabilities. Support from them can come both through face-to-face interaction and online.
Ultimately, sharing the load with them, even if it is only for a couple of hours, can help you cope more easily with the challenges you face.
- Use available resources and services
To complement their support network, there are a number of resources and services parents can use to fulfil their responsibilities.
This could include therapy programs, assistive technology, specialised educational support and respite care services that can assist with the care of your disabled child.
At the same time, you can also draw upon the services of professionals like cleaners, gardeners and meal delivery companies to perform household chores that might otherwise be time-consuming.
Additionally, there are a range of technologies you can use to manage your caregiving and work responsibilities. The likes of teleconferencing platforms, scheduling tools and communication apps can help parents stay connected, organised and on top of their responsibilities.
- Seek work flexibility
Your employer has their own responsibility to ensure you can do your job as effectively as possible.
For this reason, you should discuss the possibility of flexible working arrangements with them. This might include being able to work from home a couple of days a week or at least being more flexible or having reduced office hours.
As a valued employee, if you make your bosses aware of your situation and communicate the benefits to the company by giving you flexibility at work, they will be more likely to accommodate your needs.
- Establish clear boundaries from work
As a parent of a disabled child, it is important to give them your full attention when you are at home. To do this, you will need to set a clear boundary between work time and personal life.
Establishing a designated period where you focus on your work and a dedicated time slot, which is reserved purely for family activities can help you ensure that both aspects of your life receive the attention they deserve. Most importantly, doing this can also enable you to manage these responsibilities better.
- Prioritise Self-Care
Faced with the challenges of looking after a disabled child and fulfilling the demands of your work commitments, it can be easy to neglect your own physical and mental well-being.
However, it is critical that you do this to ensure you have the energy, resilience, and capability to perform the different roles you are required to.
It is important to make time for yourself to do the things you like to do. This could be anything from socialising with friends and watching live sports to exercising or doing a hobby.
At the end of the day, the more downtime you have, the more beneficial it will be for you, your child, your family, and your employer.
- Organise and Plan Ahead
When you have a lot of responsibilities, effective time management is vital.
Therefore, you should get on top of scheduling to track your child’s NDIS plan, as well as your work tasks, appointments, and family commitments.
It is also a good idea to plan meals, set routines and delegate certain roles to others to ensure that you constantly feel in control of your situation.
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