The JUGGLE OF LIFE:
GETTING BACK TO BASICS
Every year around this time, life just seems to be a little busier, a little more chaotic – another appointment to juggle or follow up on, another school event or sporting activity – sometimes it feels like we tick one thing off the to-do list and add five more in its place. It’s the kind of busy that comes with parenting any number of children while also juggling some level of employment.
Why does it feel like families of children 0-14 years are so busy?
Facts: Did you know?
- In June 2025, 44% of all Australian families had children or dependents aged between 0-14years.
- Around 82% of families are classed as couple families, while 16% are classed as single parent families.
- Of all the couple families, 73% have both parents employed, with another 22% with one parent employed.
- The percentage of dual employed parents has risen over the last 20 years (2005-2025) by over 10%.
- Single parent families also have a high rate of employment with 71% of single mothers and 81% of single fathers employed.
(Labour Force Status of Families, June 2025)
For comparison, in June 1990, 49% of couple families were both employed (Labour Force Status and other Characteristics of Families, Australia, June 2000).
No wonder parents or caregivers of children under the age of 14 are feeling so time poor and exhausted! This is such a drastic contrast compared to some of the experiences of our parents, yet we still aim to provide our children with similarities to our childhoods. We are generally trying to fit more ‘things’ into our lives now, more than ever before, without enough time in the day to do it all.
As parents, how can we support ourselves in ‘Reclaiming our Potential with Clarity’ in 2026?
How can we, as working parents or caregivers, get back to basics so we do not burn out or feel the parental guilt that we should be doing more?
Work out what our non-negotiables are
What are your values? What are your boundaries? How can you try to protect and ensure that each day, week, month as the year goes on, you are keeping these non-negotiables at the forefront of your planning.
Prioritise connection
As humans, we need connection of some form. It is hardwired into our brains. We need to feel a sense of belonging to a community – be it our immediate family, our friends, a community or sporting group. Prioritise how you can ensure you have connections sprinkled across your week.
Give yourself some grace; be flexible; be ok to say ‘no’.
Not every day or every week is going to be smooth sailing. There are going to be times where we need to be able to pivot because priorities change, life throws us a curve ball. We need to be ready, accept and be able to adapt in the moment. It doesn’t mean that you are failing because you were late to an appointment, or to soccer training. It doesn’t mean you do not care if you have to reschedule a coffee catch up with a friend. It just means in that moment, a different priority presented itself and needed to adapt. That could be an appointment for your child, or that your child is needing more connection and time with you and needs you to be present to watch their soccer training rather than dropping them off this week. Rearranging your schedule and adapting to what is the priority or non-negotatiable that day is ok. Saying “no, not at this moment” is a great skill to have, don’t be afraid to use it. A great piece of advice I have received is, “no is a complete sentence”. You do not have to justify yourself to anyone.
Check in with yourself and schedule in your own self care
As parents, we tend to let our needs become the bottom of the barrel so to speak – mums particularly are renowned for this. We see this every day within our families we support. But it comes back to instructions we hear from flight attendants on planes – you must put on your own oxygen mask first before assisting children or others. We need to make sure we are scheduling some time for our own self care – to fill our cup, to put on our oxygen mask; to ensure we can keep going! To ensure we can keep all the wheels turning as needed. It could be as simple as taking a bath, getting up a little earlier to enjoy a morning coffee before the household wakes, a quick 15 minute movement break or online Pilates video. Whatever it is that makes you feel good!
Check in on others too
If you are feeling it, you can probably guarantee someone else within your work or social or family circle is also feeling disconnected or busy. You may not have the time to catch up at length – but I encourage you to send the text to say just thinking of you or how are you, share the funny reel or crazy random photo that encapsulates your mood at that moment. It’s an opportunity for connection and to also say to another – “hey, I’m here, I’m walking alongside you also”.
And if you need some more ideas of ways to support yours and your family’s routine, please chat to our team. We may not have all the ideas or answers, but we might be able to help point you in another direction to find them. We are here for you, we see you and in this juggle of life with you!
Until next time,
Lori
References:
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2025, June). Labour Force Status of Families. ABS. https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/labour/employment-and-unemployment/labour-force-status-families/latest-release.
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2000, June). Labour Force Status and other Characteristics of Families. ABS. https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/6224.0
If you’d like to chat more, please don’t hesitate to contact us today! Call us on 0477 708 217 or email admin@exploreandsoar.com.au
PUBLISHED MAY 2026
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