Can You Successfully Parent Your Child From The Workplace?

Raising a child can be a full time job and more, are we able to from outside the household?

Parenting nowadays is harder than ever. The risks your child is exposed to is more complex and accumulative than ever, which can really change the trajectory of your child’s life. But many times, both parents are having to work to keep the household running and bills in positive credit. But what negative impact is that having on the youth of today?

I think it can be quite damaging not only in the short term but more profoundly in the long term. It definitely works for some, nothing in life is ever a one size fits all rule. Some children even prefer to attend boarding school for example to have more independence or distance from home for many reasons.

Those lucky enough to not need to work soon after bringing a child into the world or even able to be a homemaker, miss the workplace environment and time away from parenting 24/7 and opt to return to the workplace for their ‘sanity’. I think those instances may be questionable as once you’re a parent, your child is meant to come first. It may improve your sanity, but what about your child’s?

Often, mentally stimulating a child is hard work, so to keep them entertained, many turn to electronic devices: mobile phones, iPads, laptops, even game consoles. Don’t get me wrong, they all have their time and place, but there lies the possibility of influencing behavioural traits that you may be opposed to. Sometimes even grandparents may have their own parenting style differing from yours. Imagine what a gadget can do. You can’t trust coding to parent an innocent mind.

It’s easy to look at child-raising in an idealistic fashion but in reality, the reliance is on you for at least 18 years. The mentality of expecting society to share the load is too lackadaisical. In 2024, I’ve seen kids who are 7+ years old, playing in the street with their friends at 9pm at night; football, bikes and screaming in tow, unsupervised is sowing the seed from young that boundaries are pretty much invisible. You’re not only showing inconsideration for your neighbours peace, the disinterest in a child’s safety and welfare gives youngsters a false sense of premature freedom, which can spiral into seeking attention from elsewhere which can end up on the authorities doorstep.

This is all too common. When working away, you may spoil your child more to fulfil the void or guilt even that you can’t always be present. Building an expectation in time that gifting is of more important than presence may distort your outlook on love and expressing your emotions. Entitlement is a rocky road.

Nurseries are a difficult subject. They have their place in society and it’s a great option for pre-school if you’re returning to work. The issue is the incapacity of knowing what is being installed. Rights and wrongs may differ from how you wish to raise your child. Letting other adults technically parent and care for your young child can be fear-mongering almost as nursery workers / nurses have other children to tend to also. Of course you can trust nurseries as a safe haven, but equally as a new parent you evaluate the pros and cons and obviously the worst case scenario cases which are very rare but it’s natural to do your research as after all, it’s your baby!

Waking up, getting not only yourself but the kids ready for school; working, then either picking the kid(s) up from school if you finish early enough or meeting them at home; to then cook, have a no-device family mealtime then bathing and putting your kid(s) to bed can seem like your quality of life has decreased due to never-ending list of jobs and expectations and not having any time for you. How are you meant to notice the warning signs in your kid(s) lives if there are simply not enough hours in the day? Single parents already have it the hardest as they can’t share the workload easily, but if you are lucky enough to be in a two-parent home, I’d advise before having children to have an honest conversation about your preferences whether that be returning to work or being a homemaker. As this is the predicament couples may realise that they’re not on the same page and in time that resentment will only build. After all, it’s almost 20 years of your life, a fifth of a century. One of the most important conversations you’ll ever have with your significant other. Be proactive regarding your future and plan ahead after all you family life is part of your legacy too vital to overlook.

There should be more support economically for stay-at-home parents. It might just make the difference to the youth of today.

What do you think? Comment below!