How to make FLEXIBLE working work as a working parent.

Flexible working can be vital as a working parent as it helps to make life more possible and sustainable.  If you work for an organisation that enables you to have a flexible working pattern – this means you can fulfil your career aspirations alongside being the parent that you want to be. 

To make flexible working “work for you” as a parent – these 5 tips may help: 

1. Make sure that you actually work the flexible hours that you that agreed. So many parents take the time to negotiate a great flexible working pattern; but end up working old patterns. Or, they work longer hours; they feel they “should”, or that they are “inconveniencing people by not being always available”.  Remember your pay and benefits are in line with your agreed working hours – so try to work accordingly. You find that your role is not “possible” to deliver within the agreed working pattern. You will need to reset expectations with your manager and look to amend the role/or the working hours.
2. If you are working to a different pattern you may need to establish your “working day” – identifying when you start and finish and clearly communicate this with team members & clients. To help switch you into or out of work mode create a morning ritual or routine that helps your brain to transition more easily from parent to work & back again. Many of us didn’t relish the daily commute but it did help with creating lines around your working day. If you are working remotely build in time for a quick walk/stretch/making a nice coffee …something that signals to you that work is starting or finishing.  Once you have defined your working day you can then prioritise what needs to be delivered in the time you have available.
3. All about the boundaries. Working flexibly often allows you to more effectively combine time at home or at work – but without establishing clear and meaningful boundaries the lines become even more blurred leaving you struggling to be present either when you are with the kids or when you are working…feeding the baby whilst on a conference call, or a training session whilst bathing the kids??  Spend time thinking about what YOUR boundaries are and the impact on you and others if you don’t meet them. Then, share with your partner/manager so they can be aware and support you. For example, I will do bath time 4 nights a week, and will only do evening calls after 7.30.  Set them, share them and stick to them.
4. Prioritise your network & have a great sponsor! Working on a different working pattern to your colleagues may mean that you are less visible to leadership teams. To keep your career on track, have advocates who will speak up for you even when you aren’t there. To make this relationship effective keep them regularly updated on all of your great work, client wins and career goals.
5. Remember that working flexibly does not mean you are working any less hard, driving less impact, are less focused or less ambitious. Don’t apologise for working flexible hours.  Still take your leave to which you are entitled, make time to attend relevant training courses, or go to that team lunch and schedule time for your personal development.