How real Aussie parents are balancing work and family

Any parent can attest to the challenges of balancing work and family. In Australia, parents are facing financial pressures, changing family dynamics, and struggling to maintain work-life balance without feeling the pangs of parental guilt. 

According to the Real Working Parents Report 2024, upon returning to work after parental leave, over half (52%) of working parents felt they didn’t take leave for long enough. The main motivators for heading back to the office included cost of living pressures (54%), financial pressures (48%), and mortgage repayments (35%).

If you’re struggling to balance a career and family, you’re not alone. Find out how real Aussie parents are juggling family and career responsibilities and discover how to achieve work-life balance as a working parent.

Juggling parenting and career responsibilities in Australia

Juggling parenting and career responsibilities is no easy feat. For many Australian families, heading back to work is a necessity due to cost-of-living pressures. 

According to the ABS, as of June 2023 over 77% of families with kids aged 5 to 14 are dual-income earners, meaning both parents are employed in the paid workforce. 

According to Dr Jennifer Baxter from the Australian Institute of Family Studies, women’s work participation has increased significantly. With large mortgages, high school fees and climbing grocery prices the reality for many families, it’s not hard to see why just one in five Australian families are single-income families. 

This sentiment is echoed by Dr Brendan Churchill from Melbourne University, who says that “in 2023, you need to have both parents working to afford a family.”

Keep Reading: Learn how to create - and stick to - a family budget.

Key challenges parents are facing when balancing a career and family

For many parents, balancing work responsibilities and family is a significant challenge that can prove stressful, both personally and professionally. More than 84% of Aussie parents feel the strain of juggling work, parenting, and life responsibilities, according to the Real Working Parents Report 2024.

From financial pressures to workplace dynamics and parental wellbeing, these three key challenges are felt most acutely. 

Challenge 1: Financial pressures

Amidst the current cost-of-living crisis, the financial strain of having children is widely felt across the country. As the Real Working Parents Report 2024 reveals, 50% of working parents currently feel it is unaffordable to have children, with financial stability and cost of living being the top-ranked consideration for parents when deciding to start or grow their family.

With more than a quarter of parents spending more than $5,000 a year on school fees, 74% report finding it challenging to manage child-related care and education expenses. To manage these financial challenges, 58% made lifestyle sacrifices, and 44% tapped into savings.

Keep Reading: Learn 6 ways to make your money go further as a family.

Challenge 2: The struggles of returning to work

According to the Real Working Parents Report 2024, close to 3 in 5 mothers reported being more harshly scrutinised for their choice to return to the workplace than their male peers.

But even once parents return to work, challenges remain. 67% of the parents we spoke with reported feeling guilty or that they are letting the team down when they have to leave work for child emergencies, and 40% of parents also said they’ve missed out on work opportunities, including big projects, trips, and promotions, due to being parents.

Challenge 3: Changing family dynamics

While every family dynamic is different, many Australian households are facing similar challenges when it comes to figuring out how to achieve work-life balance.

Childcare (both formal and informal) is a common choice for working parents, with 81% of working parents reporting they have turned to family members for childcare support, with parents and in-laws being the most common choice.

While some parents report enjoying a break from their kids while at work, 91% wish they could spend more time with them each week. The impact of parental guilt and work stress also bleeds into personal relationships, with 85% of those with a partner admitting work stresses impact the relationship, resulting in less quality time together, less patience, and financial stress or disagreements. 

How real Aussie families are navigating the juggling act

But don’t take our word for it. We spoke with three real Aussie parents to hear their first-hand experiences of achieving work-life balance, prioritising their mental health and navigating life commitments with career goals. 

For business owner and mum of three Jess M, being at the helm of a $14 million business meant sharing caring and parenting responsibilities with her partner was a must. 

“Even with the best-laid plans, there’s always a gastro outbreak or a last-minute Book Week costume to keep you on the cusp of manageable and manic!” 

Both Jess and her partner, Jake, have embraced the 80:20 rule when it comes to parenting and business. As Jess explains: “We prioritise results-driven tasks, so even if our to-do list isn’t complete by the end of the day, we know that the essential tasks are done. This strategy helps avoid the end-of-day scramble and allows for more quality time with loved ones.”

It’s something Natalie B also implements as a mother to two kids under five years old, calling it the ‘Power Hour’. Natalie explains: “Dedicate one hour a day to your most important task. Set a timer, eliminate distractions, and focus. You’ll be amazed at what you can achieve.” 

Michelle L, mum to a six-year-old with another boy on the way, echoes this sentiment. Despite having a high-flying, full-time career leading content for large brands and publishers, Michelle moved to freelancing to gain more flexible working arrangements. “While I sometimes mourn for my old glamorous life, it’s the sacrifice I am happy to make for my son,” says Michelle. 

“Before, I thought it was all about having a high-flying career while still managing pick-up and drop-off in stilettos, but once I actually got here, I realised how narrow that perception is. Having it all is about navigating a life and career that works best for you and your family.”

Top tips on how to improve work-life balance as a working parent 

If you’re looking to achieve a greater work-life balance and ease the parental guilt most feel when returning to the workplace, you’ve come to the right place. 

Consider these tips to strike a better balance between career responsibilities and family life: 

• Create a daily schedule: A structured routine can help you manage your time more effectively, particularly when it includes work hours, family time, and personal activities. Create a structured plan that outlines your work and helps maintain a sense of balance. 
• Set expectations at home: Even kids can learn the skills of organisation. Whether it’s getting them to help pack their bag or school lunch, allocating tasks or expectations at home can see them develop skills that will serve them for life. Consider a morning checklist for children that they need to complete before heading out the door, such as making their bed.
• Set boundaries at work: With remote working conditions seeing many embrace online communication channels, it’s easy to feel the need to be constantly accessible to coworkers. Be sure to set boundaries in which you outline specific work hours when you are contactable, and avoid responding to messages or emails outside of those hours when it encroaches on family time. 
• Have a support network: Parenthood can be emotionally and physically demanding, making support networks essential. Whether it’s family, close friends, parenting organisations, community groups, or online forums, it truly takes a village to raise a child, so make sure to foster a support network you can rely on. 
• Prioritise self-care: It might be the last thing you choose to spend your time on, but carving out moments of self-care is important to avoid burnout and help manage the demands of work and family. Whether it’s reading a book, practising mindfulness exercises, indulging in a hobby, or going to a Pilates class, pursuing personal interests outside of work and parenting is vital for fulfilment and happiness. 
• Embrace imperfections: Even with the best planning, unexpected events can throw your day out of whack. Whether it’s a lice outbreak or sudden illness, it’s important to be flexible, embrace imperfections, and refrain from blaming yourself when your day doesn’t go as planned. 

Curious to know more about the challenges Aussie parents face when trying to balance career responsibilities with parenting? Download the full Real Working Parents Report 2024 to discover key findings concerning parental leave, financial pressures, and the impact of parenthood on workplace dynamics. 

Another way to protect your family 

Along with prioritising work-life balance, it’s important to take practical measures to ensure your family is taken care of in the event of the unexpected.

With Real Insurance, you can apply for life insurance over the phone – no medical or blood tests are needed to apply. Find out more by requesting a quote online now.