When you work full time, it can feel difficult to manage your home life in the way that you want. Around the commute, working hours, overtime, deadlines and other elements of a nine to five, it can feel impossible to check in on your family as much as you really want to. But at the end of the day, this is something that you need to do and there are a number of things you should be monitoring and managing to ensure that everyone in your family is receiving the love and support that they should. Here are just a few pieces of advice that can help you to achieve this!
All Family Members
Every member of your family deserves love and affection. You need to make sure that everyone feels wanted, appreciated and cared for. Whether that’s your partner, your children, your parents, your siblings or anyone else. One step towards achieving this is making time for people. Make sure to spend enough time to check in on each and every person you care for. Give them a call. Send them a text. Arrange to meet up and check in for a quick cup of coffee. Another good idea is to make sure you understand all of your family members’ love languages. They key love languages, and different ways to cater to them, are listed below.
- Words of affirmation – if your family have this love language, they like you to verbally express how much they mean to you
- Acts of service – these people think actions speak louder than words. Make sure to carry out lots of small and kind acts for them. Be thoughtful
- Receiving gifts – these gifts don’t have to be elaborate. A chocolate you thought they might like, picking a flower for them or something else shows you care
- Quality time – some people just want to spend time with you, so make sure to free up some time to bond and make memories together
- Physical touch – some family members will want you to hold their hand, give them a hug or put an arm around them
Children
Children tend to require more care than other family members. They are dependent and require round the clock time and attention to help them grow into well rounded people. Here are some things you can do to ensure they get the care they need.
Childcare
If you work difficult hours and need your children to be looked after while you complete work and commute home, childminders and babysitters are something you should definitely look into. These are professionals who will look after your children, either in their home or at your home. While friends and family can achieve this, asking them to do so on a regular basis may be too much. Paid professionals can be used any time that they are available. Make sure to only let people who have completed necessary background checks to look after your children.
Quality Time
No matter how busy you are, make sure to free up some time in your schedule for your kids. This can feel difficult around work, socialising and fitness. But it is a top priority. Arrange fun days out. Plan fun days in. This will help you to bond with your kids and ensure that they feel loved.
Elderly Family Members
Elderly family members may require more care as they grow older too. It’s important that you check in on them regularly to ensure that they are happy, as well as ensuring that they are leading a good quality of life. You may find that you need to arrange care for them during hours you’re not able to attend to them yourself.
Care Homes
Care homes are specialist facilities that will look after your elderly loved one around the clock. They have professional staff, medics and other professionals on board to ensure your loved one is well at all times. They also tend to have great facilities and allow your loved one to live in an environment with others in their age group. If you have any issues with the care home your elderly loved one is in, contact top nursing home abuse lawyers for assistance.
Carers
Carers can take care of your elderly loved ones from the comfort of their own homes. They are often medically qualified individuals, who can administer medicine as and when required. They can also provide company and help with routine daily tasks.
These are just a few people in your family you should make sure you’re caring for as best possible. As you can see, you’re not in this alone. There’s plenty of support and different services out there that have been specially designed to support you in this responsibility!
