According to a recent study, the pay gap emerges as soon as you start a family. Reconciling your family life with your work commitments is no easy task and you will probably have to make certain changes in order to strike a balance between the two. Here, we offer a few recommendations.

 

1. ACHIEVE A BALANCE THAT SUITS YOU
Every family is different. What works for your friends, your brother or colleague isn’t necessarily what’s right for your wants and needs. Take time to identify what will make you and your family happy and what will best suit your personal circumstances. This could mean opting for flexible or remote working and, thanks to rules on gender equality, you also have the choice of working part time while your partner works full time (or vice versa!).

2. WORK OUT YOUR BUDGET
Childcare can be very expensive, particularly during the early years of your child’s life. Rather than increasing your household’s income, working may actually end up costing you more. Remember that when your children reach school age, the cost of childcare will be significantly reduced, so it’s important to sit down with your partner and discuss the lifestyle you want, your outgoings and what you can afford during this interim period.

3. TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF
Managing a career and a family takes up a lot of energy! Looking after yourself is key to ensuring that you remain fit and healthy and maintain your energy levels. Try and get to bed early to get a good night’s sleep! If you’re a commuter, work while you’re on the go to make the most of your time. Draw up a to-do list every evening so that you can go to bed with a clear head and set aside some “me-time” in the day to keep your energy levels up!

Over to you! How do you balance your family and work life?