Being a student and a parent simultaneously can be stressful in today’s fast-paced world. You have sleepless nights, responsibilities as an adult, and expectations from your employer. It’s often difficult to balance your workload with household chores, child care, and other social obligations. So, what do you do when these two roles conflict? Here are ten life hacks for moms who want to be successful students and caring parents.

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Ask for help

If you have a significant course load, are taking classes that are too advanced for you, or have kids who are too young to be left at home alone, it’s time to ask for help. Asking for help doesn’t make you less of an adult. It just makes you a more responsible adult. There are a lot of resources out there that can help you become a better student. Many vocational schools offer free tutoring, and online forums and groups are filled with people who are eager to help. So don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. And remember to pay it forward too, when you can help someone else.

Organize your schoolwork

It’s easy to lose track of your schoolwork when adjusting your childcare schedule. But if you are going to be a successful student, then you need to make sure that you keep track of your progress and mark important dates on your calendar. Make sure you have a nice place to keep all your papers and assignments so you don’t lose touch with them. You can also use an app on your phone or computer to keep track of your deadlines and due dates. This way, you won’t have to worry about misplacing anything. Don’t fail to set time for essay revision as well.

Take care of yourself first

If you are a single parent, you’re probably responsible for everything in your household. You go to work and do everything possible to ensure your child is safe and happy at home. This can take a toll on you both mentally and physically. When you feel exhausted, and out of breath, it’s time to take a break. This doesn’t mean that you must neglect your responsibilities. It means you must first find a moment to care for yourself to be a better parent for your child. Take a break from work, take a break from cleaning, and take a break from child care.

Eat a healthy breakfast

We all know breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but unfortunately, not everyone eats it. Eating a healthy breakfast is especially important if you have a busy day. You must ensure you get the right amount of nutrients for your body. Eating a healthy breakfast can keep you energized for extended periods and enables you to stay focused. It will also keep your blood sugar even, preventing you from getting too hungry and making unhealthy choices like snacking during work hours.

Network with other parents and caregivers

If you are a single parent, you might benefit from reaching out to other single parents in the area. You can join a single-parents club in your local area or start a meet-and-greet with other single parents in your neighborhood. You might find that you have a lot in common with them. You can ask them what challenges they face as parents and what they do to overcome them. You can try to help them solve their problems too. By networking with other parents and caregivers in your area, you can find support and friendship that will help you get through the day.

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Commit to a chore partner

If you have a partner, you can commit to a chore partner where both of you take turns cleaning and caring for your child. This way, you can relieve some of the burdens of caring for your child while keeping your responsibilities in mind. You can also commit to being a chore partner for other parents in similar situations. You can take turns cleaning up after your child’s activities or helping to cook for the team. This can be a great way to build friendships and relieve some of the stresses of having a child.

Set boundaries with your children

There is a difference between being a strict parent and being a pushover. You must set boundaries if your child wants to eat junk food daily. You can tell your child that you will buy them junk food once a week and that they can eat it whenever they want to. But they must clean up their act for the rest of the week. You can also set boundaries for screen time, limiting your children’s time on video games, TV, and computers. 

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Take advantage of technology

If you are a single parent, you are probably too busy to go shopping for your child all the time. If you have a young child in diapers, then you know how expensive they can be. Fortunately, online stores sell baby products at discounted prices. You can also buy in bulk online and save even more money. Some online stores also offer free shipping. You can also ask your other parent friends if they have hand-me-downs, which they can pass to you.

Do not feel guilty about prioritizing yourself

You have been a parent long enough to know that there are days when everything goes wrong. Your baby might have colic, your toddler might be having a bad day, and your older child might be struggling at school. You have done everything you can to make them feel better. You have rocked them, given them a warm bath, and read them a story. But sometimes, it’s just not enough. It would help if you had a break from being a caring parent in such a situation. Take time for yourself. You deserve to take a break occasionally. You have been taking care of your family for months and have probably been neglecting yourself. Don’t feel guilty about prioritizing yourself.

Conclusion

As a parent, you have many responsibilities. You must take care of your children, ensure they get the best education possible, and help them with their homework. And this can be hard to do when you also must work, study, pay rent, and take care of your home. Balancing the responsibilities may seem impossible. However, you can still be a great parent while succeeding in your academic pursuits. You just need to set a few boundaries and organize your day so that you are not spending all your time taking care of your children. And remember to ask for help when you need it. Keeping your child’s best interests at heart will make you both happy and successful.