Whether it is eating breakfast and drinking your cuppa, start your day with a virtual commute. Just because you’re not travelling doesn’t mean you shouldn’t carve out equivalent routines to help you ease into your workday. Your morning commute not only gets you to work but it also gives your brain time to prepare for work. If you feel yourself extending your work hours because you aren’t doing anything in the evening, tell yourself it’s time to put work away, recharge, and start tomorrow with a fresh mind. This means holding yourself accountable, but also recognising when enough is enough, just as a good manager might. The biggest difference between working from home and working in the office is that you are in charge of your environment and have to treat yourself like an employee. Try to make your workspace comfortable too and ensure you take breaks too. Your workspace doesn’t have to be its own room but it should feel as separate from the rest of your home as possible. If you’re used to going into an office each day, the separation between work and home is physical. Research has shown that getting dressed can help with productivity and for getting your mind in work mode. Although it may be tempting to work in your PJs and for some it doesn't make a difference. It might seem like a simple tip, but it’s a crucial one. These tips will help you make sure that you’re successful, both at getting your work done and at maintaining your mental wellbeing. We understand it is not an easy transition if you are now working from home. You may not always feel in control but there are things you can do and think about to help manage the balance between work and home. Trying to balance work and home life is even more difficult. If you are a parent managing on your own or sharing parenting with your ex, the choices you have are more limited and you’ll have less support in making those choices. If you are in a couple, it may feel easier if one partner stays at home while the other goes out to work or if one is in full-time employment and the other part-time, and for others, both may continue with full-time jobs. There are no 'right' or 'wrong' choices, and your choices will change at different stages in your family’s life.

too tired or busy to enjoy your social life.

resentful of how much you have to do around the house.

that you're not there for your kids or your partner.

that you are missing out on family life.

have friends and a social life outside the home.

feel pleased you're making a contribution and have more self-esteem.

have a better standard of living and have fewer money problems.

If you are employed full-time or part-time, you may:

Making changes at work by talking your hours through with your employer is a good step, but even if you can’t make big changes, or don’t want to, some small steps can make the biggest difference, to your children and to you.

Truth is we work longer hours in this country than anyone else in Europe, so chances are when Britain’s parents finally arrive home they may not have the energy for a game of football in the park, or six rounds battling with the maths homework waiting on the kitchen table.

In reality though, getting the balance right is tricky. Many parents are eager to make changes so they can work more flexibly, even if it affects their pay, because they know that having time with their children is important. Work life balance is something most parents really crave.

Work home life balance